Want to know what are the most expensive cities in the world for international employees? Based on our latest research, Hong Kong tops Mercer’s 2024 cost of living city rankings, followed by Zurich and Geneva, while Islamabad is ranked 227th. Also, the list includes four cities from Switzerland. Let’s look at the top 10 most expensive cities in the world in 2024.
The ranking of a city in Mercer’s survey depends on two main factors – the relative strength of the respective currency against the US dollar over the past 12 months and price fluctuations compared to New York City over the past 12 months.
10. Nassau, Bahamas
- Population: 316,000 million
- Area: 200 km2 (80 sq mi)
Nassau is the capital and largest city of the Bahamas. It is located on New Providence Island, with a population of 316,000. Nassau is commonly defined as a primate city, dwarfing all other cities in the country. It is the country’s centre of commerce, education, law, administration, and media.
Lynden Pindling International Airport, the Bahamas’ major airport, is located approximately 16 km west of Nassau’s city centre, and has daily flights to major cities in Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Nassau is the site of the House of Assembly and various judicial departments and was historically considered a stronghold of pirates. The city was named in honour of William III of England, Prince of Orange-Nassau. Nassau is the 10th most expensive city in the world in 2024.
See Also: Smallest Countries In The World
09. Copenhagen, Denmark
- Population: 1.39 million
- Area: 525.50 km2 (202.90 sq mi)
Copenhagen is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of approximately 1.39 million. The city is located on the islands of Zealand and Amager and is the 9th most expensive city in the world in 2024.
Originally a Viking fishing village founded in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century.
Copenhagen is Denmark’s major economic and financial centre. The city’s economy is primarily based on services and commerce. Nationally, Denmark’s GDP per capita ranks among the top 10 countries in the world. At the same time, the city’s growth has been accompanied by improving environmental performance and a transition to a low-carbon economy.
08. Tel Aviv, Israel
- Population: 4.4 million (approximately)
- Area: 1,516 km2 (585 sq mi)
Tel Aviv-Yafo is Israel’s most populous city. Located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast and with a population of 467,875, it is the country’s economic and technological hub.
Tel Aviv is governed by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, led by Mayor Ron Huldai, and is home to most of Israel’s foreign embassies.
Tel Aviv’s economy is the third or fourth largest and the largest per capita economy in the Middle East. The cost of living in the city is currently one of the highest in the world. Tel Aviv receives over 2.5 million international visitors annually.
Tel Aviv is called the “Vegetarian Food Capital of the World” as it has the highest per capita population of vegetarians in the world, and there are many vegetarian eateries throughout the city.
07. Bern, Switzerland
- Population: 445,000 (approximately)
- Area: 51.62 km2 (19.93 sq mi)
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and the 7th most expensive city in the world in 2024. The city is ranked fifth in the Mercer 2023 Index. The Swiss call it their “federal city”. With a population of approximately 145,000, Bern is the fifth most populous city in Switzerland.
In addition, the structure of Bern’s city centre is largely mediaeval and has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural World Heritage Site. Perhaps its most famous sight is the Zytglogge, an elaborate mediaeval clock tower with a moving puppet.
06. New York City, USA
- Population: 19.03 million
- Area: 472.43 sq mi (1,223.59 km2)
New York City is the most populous city in the United States. With a population of 19 million by 2024, New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States. New York City is located at the southern tip of New York State and is the sixth most expensive city in the world.
New York City is a global cultural, financial, entertainment, and media center with significant influence on commerce, health care and life sciences, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, food, arts, fashion, and sports.
Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy, and is sometimes described as the capital of the world. New York City is a global center of business and commerce and an established safe haven for global investors.
05. Basel, Switzerland
- Population: 575,000
- Area: 23.85 km2 (9.21 sq mi)
Basel is a city located on the Rhine River in Switzerland. With approximately 575,000 inhabitants, Basel is Switzerland’s third most populous city. The official language of Basel is German, but the main spoken language is the local Basel German dialect.
Basel is the third most expensive city in Switzerland and the fifth most expensive city in the world by 2024. Basel is generally considered the cultural capital of Switzerland and the city is famous for its many museums, including the Kunstmuseum, the first collection of art accessible to the public in the world and the largest museum of art in Switzerland.
There are forty museums spread throughout the city-canton, making Basel one of the largest cultural centers in Europe in relation to its size and population.
04. Geneva, Switzerland
- Population: 639,000 (approximately)
- Area: 15.92 km2 (6.15 sq mi)
Geneva is Switzerland’s second most populous city, after Zurich. Its most populous city is Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Geneva is the headquarters of several United Nations bodies.
Located where the Rhine flows out of Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and the Canton of Geneva. Geneva hosts the most international organisations in the world. Also, it is a city that serves as the headquarters of one of the most important international organisations without being a country’s capital.
Additionally, Geneva is ranked among the ten most livable cities in the world by Mercer, along with Zurich and Basel. The city is known as the world’s most compact metropolis and the “Capital of Peace”. Mercer has also ranked Geneva 4th in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world by 2024.
03. Zurich, Switzerland
- Population: 1.44 million
- Area: 87.88 km2 (33.93 sq mi)
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the Zurich Canton. Despite its relatively small population, Zurich is one of the world’s largest financial centers. The city is home to many financial institutions and banking companies.
The city is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. In addition, both Zurich Airport and Zurich’s main railway station are the largest and busiest railway stations in the country.
Zurich is the third most expensive city in the world by 2024, up from second place in the 2023 index. Along with the cost of living, food and entertainment are also expensive here.
02. Singapore City
- Population: 5.9 million
- GDP (nominal): $525.2 billion
- Per capita: $91,100
Singapore is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It was ranked the 7th most expensive place to live and work last year by Mercer Cost of Living. Singapore is ranked second in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world by 2024.
Singapore The island city-state in Southeast Asia has had one of the most stable economies in the world. The country’s economy relies on its manufacturing, financial services, and tourism.
Also, Singapore has the second highest population density in the world. Recognizing the need to respect the multicultural population and cultural identity, Singapore has four official languages, English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.
See Also: Safest Airports In The World
01. Hong Kong City
- Population: 7.49 million
- GDP (nominal): $406.7 billion
- Per capita: $53,606
Hong Kong is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta in southern China. According to Mercer, Hong Kong is the most expensive city in the world by 2024. It is ranked as the most expensive city to live and work in. With over 7.49 million residents of various nationalities in an area of 1,104 square kilometres, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world.
In addition, Hong Kong has the fifth highest number of billionaires in the world. Also, Hong Kong is one of the most developed cities in the world with the most expensive housing.
Hong Kong is a highly developed city and ranks fourth in the United Nations Human Development Index. The city has the most skyscrapers of any city in the world. Its residents have the highest life expectancy in the world.
Very shortly this web page will be famous among all blog visitors, due to it’s pleasant posts|
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me
to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create
your theme? Great work!