The Most Expensive Places to Live in the World, From the Solomon Islands to Turkmenistan

Some of the world's priciest zip codes aren't where you'd expect.GettyThe most expensive places to live in the world come with sky-high rents, grocery bills, and utility prices that will start adding up before you get the chance to settle down. If you’re looking to move abroad, there are a plethora of personal and logistical factors to consider, from visa requirements and language barriers to the global expat community. But the feasibility of living in another country often boils down to money. It's a simple fact that the price tag of daily life is a lot steeper—or cheaper—in some places compared to others.To determine which destinations will drain your bank account fastest, we’ve turned to the Cost of Living Index from data company Numbeo, which is continually updated throughout the year. The database compares expenses across thousands of places worldwide, measuring everyday costs such as rent, groceries, and restaurants. Those scores are then weighed against New York City as the baseline at 100—for example, if a destination has a score of 120, that means its prices are 20% higher than in NYC.Based on Numbeo’s 2026 mid-year report, here are the eight most expensive countries and autonomous territories in the world.This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.Getty8. JerseyCost of living score: 91.1This 45-mile island is nestled between the north coast of France and south coast of England. Although it's the largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey's land scarcity makes for heightened housing prices, and a reliance on imports doesn't make food costs any cheaper. However, what it lacks in affordability it more than makes up for in abundance of sunshine and natural splendors like surf spot St. Ouen's Bay and charming fishing harbors like Bonne Nuit Bay.Getty7. IcelandCost of living score: 97.6For nearly two decades, Iceland has ranked the safest country in the world (and one of the happiest). It also happens to be one of the most expensive places to live. The remote island relies heavily on imports, leading to high gas and grocery prices, and Reykjavik's restaurant price index exceeds that of New York City. On average, the cost of living for one person in Iceland is $1559.60 per month, not including rent.Getty6. BahamasCost of living score: 101.3There’s nothing quite as appealing as the idea of island living, but that tropical climate and proximity to stunning beaches carry a premium. Life in the Bahamas is particularly expensive, mostly thanks to high rent in Nassau. With a steady influx of tourists raising prices in buzzy resort areas and gated communities such as Lyford Cay and Old Fort Bay, some neighborhoods and islands are naturally more expensive than others.Getty5. TurkmenistanCost of living score: 101.6Inflation, a shortage of imported goods, and an under-the-counter market for foreign currencies are three culprits of high prices in Turkmenistan. This is most acutely felt in its capital Ashgabat (which also holds the world record for the “highest density of white-marble clad buildings”). The Central Asian country is also home to Karakum, the largest desert in the region, making its interior sparsely inhabited.Getty4. Solomon IslandsCost of living score: 104.1Named after King Solomon, this remote Oceanic archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands is known for its untouched natural beauty and hefty prices—mostly in the form of electricity tariffs, access to high-speed internet, and transportation. But if you're willing to pay the price, many expats base themselves in Honiara, the capital city on Guadalcanal Island, which offers a lively central market and hiking at nearby Tenaru Falls.Getty3. SwitzerlandCost of living score: 109.8Switzerland dominates the top five spots of Numbeo’s city-level index: Zurich appears as the world’s most expensive city, while Lucerne is third, Basel is fourth, and Geneva is fifth. The country has a three-tiered tax structure, which in return supports robust social assistance programs. Plus, with a strong local currency (a swiss franc converts to $1.24) and strict regulations on imports, it's no surprise that the scenic, mountainous country has a cost of living score higher than 100.Getty2. Cayman IslandsCost of living score: 119.9This Caribbean territory is known for its lack of direct taxation and “offshore” accounts which have helped attract a community of wealthy expats. Due to high housing and food costs, the capital of George Town is ranked as the second most expensive city on the globe. Though, if you can afford the price tags that come with its luxe tourism and pristine beaches, then the Cayman Islands might just be your next splurge-worthy address.Getty1. BermudaCost of living score: 135.8Call it the price of paradise: According to Numbeo, the stunning island of Bermuda is the most expensive place to live in the world. With a heavy reliance on imports and overall geographic isolation, dining out and grocery shopping is particularly expensive. On average, the cost of living on the island territory is 88.7% higher than in the United States, while rent is 185.7% higher. All it takes is a trip to its beaches such as the sweeping Warwick Long Bay, coral-laden Church Bay, and pink-sanded Horseshoe Bay Beach to understand why the tropical idyll remains so coveted.Skyli Alvarez is the editorial assistant at Condé Nast Traveler. She holds a BA in journalism and minor in art history from the University of Georgia and has words and photos in Teen Vogue, Vogue, Polyester Zine, and more. Her work, written and visual, explores style, scenes, and subcultures past ... Read More