Enter your monthly budget — instantly see which cities around the world you can afford comfortably.
$2,000/mo
$500$10,000
How it works: Based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100).
Frugal: index × $12/mo · Comfortable: index × $22/mo · Luxury: index × $30/mo. Rent estimate: 1-bed city-centre, indexed to $3,200/mo at NYC baseline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are these budget estimates?
These estimates are based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100) and are designed as directional guides, not precise figures. Actual costs vary significantly by neighbourhood, personal habits, accommodation type, and lifestyle. Use these numbers as a starting point, then research specific cities that interest you.
What does Frugal vs Comfortable vs Luxury mean?
Frugal: cooking at home, shared accommodation or budget 1-bed, public transport only, minimal eating out. Comfortable: mix of eating out and cooking, private 1-bed apartment in a decent neighbourhood, occasional leisure. Luxury: frequent restaurants, central apartment, premium services, regular short-haul travel.
Which city is the cheapest for expats in Europe?
Among European cities in our dataset, Budapest (CoL index 56.2) is the most affordable, followed by Warsaw (57.8), Prague (61.5), and Lisbon (65.2). Athens (68.2) offers a Mediterranean lifestyle at a fraction of Western European capital costs. Set the region filter to "Europe" and adjust your budget to see which fit best.
Why is Singapore expensive despite being in Asia?
Singapore is a global financial hub with extremely high property prices — its Rent Index (115.3) is among the highest in our dataset, higher than Paris or Berlin. Day-to-day expenses are moderate, but housing and private transport (cars are heavily taxed) push total monthly costs to Western European levels or above.
Does the budget include rent?
Yes. The lifestyle cost estimate is an all-in monthly figure that includes accommodation. The rent line shown separately is specifically the estimated cost of a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment, giving you a standalone reference for the largest single expense.