World’s Most Expensive Cities to Live in 2025
Full List, Cost of Living Breakdown & India’s Rank Explained
Updated for 2025 • Based on the latest cost-of-living and luxury lifestyle indexes from leading global reports.
If you’re searching for “most expensive cities in the world 2025 list” or “Mumbai rank in world’s most expensive cities”, this guide gives you the full picture in one place.
Why Are 2025 Cost-of-Living Rankings So Important?
Rents, groceries, school fees, fuel, eating out – almost everything has become more expensive worldwide in the last few years. That’s why reports like the Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Index 2025 and global cost-of-living rankings (Numbeo, Visual Capitalist, Mercer, EIU, etc.) attract huge attention. They show which cities are the most expensive to live in right now and how much it really costs to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle there. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
In 2025, one trend is very clear: high-income financial hubs and luxury playgrounds dominate the rankings, while developing countries, including India, still look relatively affordable on a global scale. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
This article breaks down:
- Top 10 most expensive cities in the world in 2025 for wealthy urban living
- Mumbai’s rank and how Indian cities compare globally
- What actually makes cities so costly – housing, taxes, luxury lifestyle, and more
- Practical money-saving tips for expats, students, and remote workers considering a move
Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World in 2025
Different organisations rank cities slightly differently. In this guide we focus on the Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Index 2025, which looks at the cost of a high-end, upper-middle-class lifestyle – things like premium housing, international school fees, fine dining, luxury fashion and cars. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
According to this index, the five most expensive cities in the world in 2025 are:
| Rank 2025 | City | Country / Region | Why It’s So Expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | Singapore | Ultra-high housing prices, car ownership costs among the highest in the world, and premium pricing on international education and luxury goods. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| 2 | London | United Kingdom | Expensive central real estate, high private school fees and lifestyle services, plus a strong global demand from investors and expats. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| 3 | Hong Kong | China (SAR) | One of the world’s priciest housing markets, limited land, and high everyday spending for dining, transport and services. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| 4 | Monaco | Monaco | Tiny supply of ultra-prime property, tax haven status, and a lifestyle designed for millionaires and billionaires. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| 5 | Zurich | Switzerland | Very high salaries and a strong Swiss franc push up costs of rent, food and services; consistently ranks near the top of cost-of-living indices. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| 6–10 | Other cities that frequently appear in the 2025 “most expensive cities to live in” lists include Geneva, New York, Dubai, Paris and Tokyo, depending on whether the ranking focuses on expats, luxury spending or average residents. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} | ||
If you are planning to move abroad for work, study or remote work in 2025, these rankings matter because they affect everything: from how big a house you can rent to how often you can eat out or save money.
Where Does India Stand? Mumbai’s Rank in the World’s Most Expensive Cities 2025
For Indian readers, the big question is: “Is any Indian city in the world’s most expensive cities 2025 list?”
According to coverage of the 2025 Julius Baer index, Mumbai is ranked around 20th most expensive city in the world for wealthy living. It retains a similar position to last year, and is actually the lowest ranked city in the Asia-Pacific region on that luxury list, which means living well in Mumbai is still cheaper than doing so in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
So, while Mumbai is undeniably India’s most expensive city to live in, it is not yet in the absolute global top 10, at least for affluent lifestyles.
Most Expensive Cities in India to Live in 2025
Different Indian studies and guides agree that when you look at monthly cost of living in India (rent + food + utilities + transport), a familiar set of cities dominate the top of the list. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
-
Mumbai – India’s Financial & Entertainment Capital
Sky-high property prices in areas like South Mumbai and Bandra, premium school fees and lifestyle spending make Mumbai the costliest city in India. Typical monthly living costs for a small family can easily hit ₹60,000–₹1,50,000 depending on rent and lifestyle. -
Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Noida)
Rents in South Delhi and Gurugram, private schooling, and healthcare push NCR close to Mumbai. However, good metro connectivity can reduce transport costs compared with car-dependent cities. -
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
India’s tech hub has seen sharp rent increases around major IT corridors. Cafés, coworking spaces and a thriving startup scene make it attractive but not cheap. -
Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad
These metros are typically cheaper than Mumbai or Delhi, but central neighbourhoods and gated communities are becoming more expensive every year.
In global rankings, these cities are still much more affordable compared to Zurich, Singapore or London, but for many Indian families and students, they already feel expensive.
How Do “Most Expensive Cities in the World” Indexes Work?
When you search for “most expensive cities to live in 2025”, you actually find several different lists. They are not wrong – they simply measure different things:
- Julius Baer Global Wealth & Lifestyle Index – focuses on the cost of a high-end lifestyle for wealthy individuals (luxury housing, cars, five-star hotels, private schools, designer fashion). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Mercer Cost of Living Report – looks at prices faced by expats (international workers) in various cities, often used by companies to decide allowances. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Numbeo & VisualCapitalist cost-of-living indices – crowd-sourced or aggregated prices for rent, food, transport, etc., showing how expensive cities feel for an average resident. These show Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva and Basel at the top for overall daily living costs in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Wise / other country-level comparisons – look at entire countries, where Switzerland, Bahamas, Iceland and Singapore sit at the expensive end, while India remains among the more affordable. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
So the answer to “Which is the most expensive city in the world in 2025?” depends on the index: Zurich often tops general cost-of-living lists, while Singapore, London and Hong Kong dominate luxury lifestyle rankings.
Thinking of Moving to an Expensive City in 2025? Practical Money-Saving Tips
Whether you’re heading from India to London, Zurich, Singapore or Dubai, or relocating from a smaller Indian town to Mumbai or Bengaluru, planning your cost of living can save you from nasty surprises.
1. Research “Total Cost of Living”, Not Just Salary
A higher salary in a top global city can look attractive on paper, but rent, taxes, and everyday costs may eat most of it. Use tools like cost-of-living calculators and real-world expat forums to compare net salary vs monthly expenses before accepting an offer.
2. Choose Location Strategically
In cities like Mumbai, London or Singapore, being just 2–3 train stops away from the central business district can reduce rent dramatically. Look for a balance between commute time, safety and rent.
3. Share Accommodation Initially
For students and young professionals, flat-sharing is often the most effective way to cut costs in high-rent cities. In many places, this also helps you build a social circle faster.
4. Track “Invisible” Lifestyle Costs
Streaming subscriptions, daily coffee runs, taxi rides, weekend shopping – small amounts add up quickly. In cities like Zurich or Singapore, reducing discretionary spending can save the equivalent of ₹20,000–₹40,000 per month compared with a “YOLO” lifestyle.
5. Optimise for Local Benefits
Public transport passes, student discounts, city cards, and employer-sponsored insurance can significantly lower your real cost of living. Always ask HR and locals what benefits you might be missing.
FAQ: Most Expensive Cities in the World 2025 & India’s Position
1. Which is the most expensive city in the world to live in 2025?
For general cost-of-living indexes, Zurich in Switzerland often comes out on top in 2025. For high-end luxury lifestyle rankings, Singapore frequently holds the number one spot. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
2. Is Mumbai one of the most expensive cities in the world in 2025?
Yes, in luxury lifestyle indexes like Julius Baer’s, Mumbai appears around 20th place globally, making it relatively expensive for affluent residents – but still cheaper than top-tier hubs such as Singapore, London and Hong Kong. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
3. Which are the most expensive cities in India in 2025?
Most studies agree that Mumbai is India’s most expensive city, followed by Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, depending on how you measure rent and daily expenses. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
4. Is it still affordable for Indians to live abroad in 2025?
It depends on the destination and your income. Countries such as Switzerland, Singapore, the UK and the US have become significantly more expensive in dollar terms, while India remains comparatively cheap in global cost-of-living rankings. Careful budgeting and choosing the right city and neighbourhood are more important than ever. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
5. How can I compare cost of living between my Indian city and a foreign city?
Use detailed cost-of-living tools and indexes that let you compare “Mumbai vs Zurich cost of living 2025” or “Bengaluru vs London monthly expenses”. Combine that with information from expat forums, student groups and local government sites to get a realistic picture instead of relying only on headline rankings.
