Want to know which are the most expensive cities in the world for international workers? Based on our latest research, Hong Kong tops Mercer’s cost-of-living city rankings, followed by Singapore and Zurich in second and third place. Also, the list includes four cities from Switzerland. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most expensive cities in the world by 2025!
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. Los Angeles, USA
- Population: 12.8 million
- Area: 498 sq mi (1,290 km2)
Los Angeles is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. It is the second most populous city in the United States, behind New York City; it is also the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California.
The economy of Los Angeles is driven by international trade, entertainment, aerospace, technology, petroleum, fashion, apparel, and tourism. In addition, other important industries include finance, telecommunications, law, healthcare, and transportation.
In the 2017 Global Financial Centres Index, Los Angeles was ranked the 19th most competitive financial center in the world and the sixth most competitive in the U.S., after New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C. According to Mercer, Los Angeles is the tenth most expensive city in the world to live in 2025.
See Also: Smallest Countries In The World
09. 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 9th most expensive city in the world in 2025.
08. London, UK
- Population: 8.8 million
- Area: 607 sq mi (1,572 km2)
London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of around 8.8 million. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 14.9 million. London is the eighth most expensive city in the world by Mercer.
London’s Gross Regional Product was £503 billion in 2019, representing around a quarter of UK GDP. London has five major business districts – Westminster, Canary Wharf, Camden and Islington, and Lambeth and Southwark. Also, London has some of the highest real estate prices in the world.
The City of Westminster, west of the City of London, has been the host of the national government and parliament for centuries. London grew rapidly in the 19th century to become the largest city in the world at the time.
07. New York City, USA
- Population: 20 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 20 million in 2025, 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 seventh 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.
06. Bern, Switzerland
- Population: 445,000 (approximately)
- Area: 51.62 km2 (19.93 sq mi)
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and the 6th most expensive city in the world in 2025. The city is ranked 7th in the Mercer 2024 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.
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 2025. 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 2025.
03. Zurich, Switzerland
- Population: 341k 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 2025, and in the same place in the 2024 index. Along with the cost of living, food and entertainment are also expensive here.
02. Singapore City
- Population: 6.0 million
- GDP (nominal): $530 billion
- Per capita: $89,370
Singapore is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. According to the Mercer Cost of Living Index, Singapore is set to remain second in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world by 2025.
The economy of Singapore, an island city-state in Southeast Asia, has been one of the most stable economies in the world. The country’s economy depends on its manufacturing, financial services, and tourism.
In addition, 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): $401 billion
- Per capita: $53,165
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 2025. It is ranked as the most expensive city to live and work in.
With over 7.4 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.
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