Data company Numbeo has released its list of the world's cheapest cities to live in for the first six months of the year, with three Pakistani cities making the cut.
According to Numbeo’s report, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are among the world's most affordable cities, with Karachi ranking as the cheapest. The list compares 218 cities worldwide, using New York City as the baseline for cost of living, rent, groceries, dining, and local purchasing power.
Karachi is 81% cheaper than New York, making it the least expensive city globally. Lahore and Islamabad follow, securing spots as the second and fourth most affordable cities, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, Geneva in Switzerland tops the list as the most expensive city, with costs 1.7% higher than New York. Zurich and New York City are ranked second and third most expensive, respectively.
Major South Asian cities:
Karachi: 81% cheaper than New York.
Lahore: Slightly more expensive than Karachi.
Islamabad: Fourth cheapest globally.
Mumbai: Ranks significantly lower in cost compared to New York.
Delhi: Also features as a more affordable city relative to New York.
Chennai: Lower cost of living index.
Bangalore: Affordable in terms of living costs.
Kolkata: Listed among cheaper cities.
Dhaka: More economical than many global cities.
Kathmandu: Comparatively low cost of living.
Top 10 most expensive cities:
1. Geneva, Switzerland
- Cost of Living Index: 101.7
- Rent Index: 59.6
- Combined Index: 81.5
- Groceries Index: 111.4
- Restaurant Price Index: 101.5
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 152.2
2. Zurich, Switzerland
- Cost of Living Index: 100.4
- Rent Index: 53.5
- Combined Index: 77.9
- Groceries Index: 105.9
- Restaurant Price Index: 102.8
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 181.2
3. New York, NY, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 100.0
- Rent Index: 100.0
- Combined Index: 100.0
- Groceries Index: 100.0
- Restaurant Price Index: 100.0
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 100.0
4. San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 90.5
- Rent Index: 77.9
- Combined Index: 84.5
- Groceries Index: 101.8
- Restaurant Price Index: 88.2
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 162.1
5. Boston, MA, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 85.8
- Rent Index: 71.2
- Combined Index: 78.8
- Groceries Index: 96.9
- Restaurant Price Index: 82.5
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 128.3
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
- Cost of Living Index: 83.9
- Rent Index: 42.1
- Combined Index: 63.8
- Groceries Index: 91.1
- Restaurant Price Index: 89.3
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 104.9
7. Washington, DC, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 82.5
- Rent Index: 67.5
- Combined Index: 75.3
- Groceries Index: 84.4
- Restaurant Price Index: 83.7
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 132.6
8. Seattle, WA, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 81.5
- Rent Index: 58.2
- Combined Index: 70.3
- Groceries Index: 85.2
- Restaurant Price Index: 78.0
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 162.0
9. Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 80.9
- Rent Index: 62.9
- Combined Index: 72.2
- Groceries Index: 85.2
- Restaurant Price Index: 88.6
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 122.9
10. Chicago, IL, USA
- Cost of Living Index: 80.2
- Rent Index: 56.2
- Combined Index: 68.7
- Groceries Index: 89.6
- Restaurant Price Index: 83.2
- Local Purchasing Power Index: 126.3
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