World’s top 10 most expensive cities to live in 2025: Singapore, London top the chart; an Indian city ranked 20

It has pushed down Hong Kong, which attracts high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) due to its specific tax incentives and buoyant investment environment, to the third spot.

Two Asian cities, Bangkok and Tokyo, made the biggest leaps in the report, ascending six positions to become the 11th and 17th most expensive cities, respectively.

Dubai made a comeback to the top ten this year, climbing five ranks, while New York was the sole American city to feature in the list.

Shanghai, the Chinese city which used to top the rankings in 2022, saw a mass decline in rankings, dropping from the fourth position to the sixth in 2025.

On the flip side, the Brazilian city of São Paulo, which previously ranked at 9, dropped seven places in 2025 and stands at 16th position globally.

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World (2025)

Which Indian city is ranked 20th?

Mumbai, the financial capital city of India, is ranked at 20, retaining its previous year’s position.

Given India’s increasing status as a global economic powerhouse and rise in prices in both local currency and USD, Mumbai is the lowest-ranking APAC city.

The report states it’s still relatively affordable for most services in the index, particularly hospitality and travel.

Most Expensive Global Cities To Live In 2025 (Source: Julius Baer)

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