The most expensive places to live in the world come with sky-high rents, grocery bills, and utility prices that will start adding up before you get the chance to settle down. If you’re looking to move abroad, there are a plethora of personal and logistical factors to consider, from visa requirements and language barriers to the global expat community. But the feasibility of living in another country often boils down to money. It’s a simple fact that the price tag of daily life is a lot steeper—or cheaper—in some places compared to others.
To determine which destinations will drain your bank account fastest, we’ve turned to the Cost of Living Index from data company Numbeo, which is continually updated throughout the year. The database compares expenses across thousands of places worldwide, measuring everyday costs such as rent, groceries, and restaurants. Those scores are then weighed against New York City as the baseline at 100—for example, if a destination has a score of 120, that means its prices are 20% higher than in NYC.
Based on Numbeo’s 2026 mid-year report, here are the eight most expensive countries and autonomous territories in the world.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.