Ukrainian cities are among the cheapest in Europe: Numbeo's cost of living ranking

The cost of living in cities around the world varies significantly, and Ukrainian cities remain among the cheapest in Europe. Find out which cities topped Numbeo's ranking, where it is most expensive to live, and where Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv rank

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European financial capitals once again topped the global cost of living ranking, while Ukrainian cities were among the most affordable in Europe. This is evidenced by data from the Numbeo platform, which published a global ranking of 479 cities around the world. Swiss cities dominate the ranking, while Ukrainian cities are at the bottom of the list due to significantly lower costs of housing and everyday necessities.

Top 10 most expensive cities in the world to live in

According to the Numbeo ranking, European financial centers consistently hold the top positions. Zurich has been the absolute leader for several years in a row — a city with high prices for housing, services, and daily expenses, which are offset by correspondingly high incomes of the population.

The ten most expensive cities in the world:

● Zurich, Switzerland

● Geneva, Switzerland

● Basel, Switzerland

● Lausanne, Switzerland

● Lugano, Switzerland

● Bern, Switzerland

● New York, USA

● Reykjavik, Iceland

● Honolulu, USA

● San Francisco, USA

The high ranking of Swiss cities is primarily due to the expensive real estate market and general price levels. For comparison, the average rent for a one-room apartment in Switzerland exceeds $80,000 per month, while the average income can reach $300,000 or more.

Where in the world is it cheapest to live

On the opposite side of the ranking are cities with minimal costs for housing and basic services. According to Numbeo, the cheapest city in the world is Coimbatore (India):

● rent for a one-room apartment — about 7,000 UAH/month,

● average income — about 20,000 UAH.

In general, the most affordable cities are mainly concentrated in Asia, where low prices partially compensate for lower income levels. In Europe, the cheapest regions remain the Balkans and Eastern Europe, in particular cities in Kosovo, Moldova, and some settlements in Romania and Bulgaria.

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Ukrainian cities in the Numbeo global ranking

In the ranking of 479 cities, Ukrainian cities are at the bottom of the list, confirming their relative affordability for living by European standards:

● Kyiv — 412th place

● Odesa — 429th place

● Lviv — 430th place

According to Numbeo, the average cost of renting a one-room apartment in Ukraine is about UAH 10,000 per month. This allows Ukrainian cities to remain among the cheapest in Europe, alongside cities in Kosovo and Moldova. At the same time, Kharkiv ranks last in the European ranking of housing costs, which once again emphasizes the overall affordability of Ukrainian cities compared to most European countries.

How the Numbeo cost of living ranking is formed

The Numbeo ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of the daily expenses of residents in different cities around the world. The platform compares prices in key categories that directly affect the standard of living and financial burden.

The main indicators of the ranking are:

● the cost of renting accommodation;

● food prices;

● the cost of eating out;

● cost of public transport;

● prices for basic services;

● purchasing power — the ratio of income to expenditure.

This approach allows for an objective comparison of cities, showing not only absolute prices, but also how they relate to the income level of the local population.

We remind you! The minimum wage sounds like a guarantee of basic well-being, but in practice, it all comes down to purchasing power. Read what the minimum income in Ukraine, Poland, and Germany will actually be enough for in 2026, taking into account housing, food, and daily expenses.

Photo: Keystone / Gaetan Bally

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