10 Most Expensive Cities In The World

The 10 most expensive cities in the world are some of the most dynamic and fascinating cities to be found on the globe. Visiting these locations—not to mention living there—can put a significant dent in your pocket, so plan well if thinking of vacationing in these cities. With a lot to offer, including great museums and cultural opportunities, these cities will keep you busy, but make you pay for it. The exact 10 fluctuate year-to-year, but this list shows cities that generally make the top spots.

1. Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is Japan’s capital and easily one of the most expensive cities in the world, located on the island nation’s east coast. The average lunch in this city will set you back $18 and a dozen eggs is about $4, to name a couple expenses. Tokyo is rich in history and full of cultural opportunities.
2. Oslo, Norway. Oslo’s roots run nearly 1000 years, and this historic and beautiful town has evolved into one of the most expensive cities in the world. People who live here earn a lot—the 6^th highest in the world—but their domestic purchasing power ranks them 26^th, meaning the cost of goods and services outpaces wages here.
3. Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich is a world leader in global finance and is considered an important city on the international scene. With low tax rates, the city attracts many high earners and has been reported to have the world’s best quality of life. A gallon of gas here can cost $8.  
4. Geneva, Switzerland. Making its mark as a center for international diplomacy, Geneva is headquarters of many departments of the Red Cross and United Nations and was also the location of the signing of the Geneva Convention. Sometimes thus called “The Capital of Peace,” it is also one of the most expensive cities in the world.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen is home to almost two million people and is the capital of this small country. It ranks second in wages earned, but these high earners are eco-friendly, as over a third of them commute to work by bicycle. This city, one of the most expensive cities in the world, is home to several sports teams and many live-performance venues.
6. Kobe, Japan. This city is known for being expensive, for its steel production, and for its famous Kobe beef steaks, considered some of the world’s finest. Many corporations make the foreign headquarters in this city, where a can of beer costs $3 and just over half a pound of rice costs almost $9.
7. Moscow, Russia. Moscow is a historic city with over 10 million people and a vast collection of museums, theaters, universities and other cultural institutions. Oil and chemical industries have fueled wealth here, one of the most expensive cities in the world, where a two-bedroom apartment can be as costly as $3,300 a month.
8. Hong Kong. This city, a “special administrative region” of China, is a massively dense urban area, with seven million people cramming into about 400 square miles. This puts goods and services at a premium in this very expensive city.
9. Seoul, South Korea. This capital city dates back 2,000 years and as such is home to many protected historic sites. Home to a very busy airport and train terminal, the public transportation in this city is highly developed. The city has hosted a number of international sporting events, including the 1988 Olympics. A key reason for this city being on the list is the strength of the currency, the won.
10. Milan, Italy. The GDP of this city is one of the highest in Europe and it is an important city on the continent for transportation, finance, and industry, as well as being a world leader in fashion. The success of its banking and finance industry has raised incomes, and thus overall expenses.