Understanding the costs of living worldwide can be tricky and expensive. Whether it’s rent or your morning coffee, some countries charge a lot for the luxury of living there. Here are the top 18 most expensive countries to live in, where enjoying a fancy lifestyle often means paying a high price.
18. Canada
With a cup of coffee costing around $2.75, Canada starts our list. In Toronto, not only are cultural experiences like theater and concerts premier but so are living expenses, with single-person monthly costs averaging $2,200, excluding rent. The country’s vast landscapes and high-quality life balance the scales.
17. United States
A regular coffee in New York might set you back about $3.00. The U.S. is known for its vast economic disparities, with cities like San Francisco and New York offering bustling tech and finance sectors that drive up living costs dramatically—expect to spend over $3,500 monthly, excluding rent.
16. Belgium
In Brussels, where coffee costs about $3.60, the rich historical tapestry matches the living costs. Belgium offers a multilingual community and a central European location, with typical monthly expenses without rent reaching $2,400.
15. Netherlands
Coffee at $3.80 per cup and vibrant cultural scenes make the Netherlands particularly appealing. Amsterdam’s canal-lined streets and liberal policies contribute to a high cost of living, with monthly expenses for a single person averaging $2,700, excluding rent.
14. France
Paris, where coffee is $4.10, is synonymous with fashion, art, and high costs. The city of light shines brightly on the financial aspect of living, where aside from rent, a person might spend upwards of $2,800 monthly.
13. Sweden
In Stockholm, where a coffee typically costs about $4.00, residents enjoy a high quality of life with a focus on environmental sustainability. Monthly living costs without rent can hover around $2,600, and the social welfare system provides extensive support.
12. Finland
Helsinki’s coffee goes for around $4.20. The city’s design scene and high standard of living are reflected in its costs, with a monthly expense average of $2,500 for a single person, excluding rent.
11. United Kingdom
Expect to pay about $3.50 for a coffee in London. The UK offers a rich historical experience, though living in its capital could set you back $2,900 monthly, excluding rent.
10. Ireland
Dublin combines its vibrant cultural life with a cost of $3.40 for a coffee. The tech boom has pushed the costs up, with a single person’s monthly budget rounding out at about $2,700 without rent.
9. Singapore
Singapore, where coffee costs about $3.00, is a bustling hub of commerce and cleanliness. Its strategic location and high standard of living make it an expensive city, with $2,800 needed monthly, excluding rent.
8. Australia
In Melbourne, a coffee costs about $3.10, but it’s the sports, arts, and dynamic food scene that justify its cost. Living expenses for a single person can run about $2,600 monthly without rent.
7. Japan
A coffee in Tokyo costs approximately $3.30. Japan balances its high cost of living with unparalleled public transportation and safety, demanding around $2,500 monthly from a single resident, excluding housing.
6. Luxembourg
With coffee at $3.80 and one of the highest GDPs per capita, Luxembourg is as wealthy as it is small. Residents might spend up to $3,200 monthly on living expenses, excluding rent.
5. Denmark
Copenhagen’s sophisticated lifestyle features coffee at $6.00 a cup. It’s not just the cycling culture; it’s the high wages and social welfare that push living costs to about $4,000 monthly per family, excluding rent.
4. Iceland
Coffee in Reykjavik goes for $4.40, mirroring the high cost of imported goods. Despite this, Iceland’s captivating landscapes make the high monthly cost of $3,000, excluding rent, worthwhile.
3. Norway
In Oslo, a coffee costs about $4.70, reflecting the general expense required to enjoy its stunning natural environment. Residents generally need about $4,000 monthly for living costs excluding rent.
2. Switzerland
Switzerland tops almost every list with coffee at $4.50 and a required monthly budget of $3,600 for basic items, excluding rent in cities like Zurich.
1. Bermuda
Crowning our list, Bermuda presents a unique case where, despite its small size, the cost of living is immense. A simple coffee can cost upwards of $7, and the island’s isolation contributes to high prices for nearly everything from housing to groceries.
Worth It?
This countdown reveals just how varied and vibrant the world’s most expensive countries can be. While the costs may be high, each destination offers unique qualities that continue to draw people from all over the globe.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Arcady.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional advice.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
