Moving to a major city often comes with big benefits and opportunities, but it’s important to figure out if it makes sense financially before taking the leap.
Below is a list of how much it can cost one person to live in 8 major cities around the world in 2025, according to Numbeo. All figures are in U.S. dollars after being converted from the local currency.
New York City
Population: 8.1 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,687.10
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,926.65
Total cost of living: $5,613.75
San Francisco, California
Population: 788,000
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,556.60
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,222.58
Total cost of living: $4,779.18
London, UK
Population: 9.7 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,311
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,772.91
Total cost of living: $4,083.91
Singapore
Population: 6.1 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,131.30
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,921.58
Total cost of living: $4,052.88
Chicago, Illinois
Population: 2.6 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,287.30
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,325.34
Total cost of living: $3,612.64
Sydney, Australia
Population: 5.2 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,116.70
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,159.11
Total cost of living: $3,275.81
Lisbon, Portugal
Population: 3 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $781.70
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $1,481.93
Total cost of living: $2,263.63
Shanghai, China
Population: 29.9 million
Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $616.80
Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $924.45
Total cost of living: $1,541.25
Source: CNBC
