Discover the Top 11 Most Expensive Countries to Live In Today

Things are getting expensive. Some of you might know someone who would say they went to the movies for a dime a ticket, and now that same ticket will cost you $15. That’s the world we live in, even though it’s unfair. According to a London School of Economics report, those trickledown policies from the 80s didn’t work out the way some people thought. The rich are getting richer, but the middle class is disappearing and the poor are getting poorer. 

Governments should do something about that egregious situation and ensure the rest of us can live without scrounging for pennies. Until then, let’s take a look at some countries that are extremely expensive to live in. Just know, if you’d like to move to these countries, you will need a lot more money each month. Included on this list are only sovereign nations, and not territories or dependencies of other countries.

So, let’s explore the top 11 most expensive countries in the world to live in today. We’ll throw in all the important numbers.

1. Switzerland

It’s no surprise that Switzerland is at the top of the list. Buying a beer in the country can cost a whopping 10 Swiss francs! With a score of 117.3 on the Cost of Living Index, looking at Swiss prices for everything may give you a headache. The cost of living for a single person in dollars is $1,744 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,872. For a family of four, it’s $6,300 plus $3,300 for a three-bedroom. Yikes!

2. Bahamas

Ah, waking up to see the beach every day; who wouldn’t want that life, right? Well, you’ll have to fork over a lot of cash to do that in the Bahamas. Its score is 93.7, but the other numbers are more shocking. The cost of living for a single person is $1,395 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $986 (which isn’t that bad comparatively). For a family of four, it’s $4926 plus $2,588 for a three-bedroom. Those dreams of living on Bahamian beaches just dashed away, didn’t they?

3. Iceland

Out in the middle of nowhere an island country can be fascinating. Unfortunately, the prices aren’t. Its score is 87.7. The cost of living for a single person is $1,274 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,633. For a family of four, it’s $4,697 plus $2,380 for a three-bedroom. Living on an island is more expensive because they have to import many goods.

4. Singapore

Singapore is a clean country and it’s no wonder why people seek to live there. But the expenses will stack up. The Cost of Living Index score is 85.9. The cost of living for a single person is $1,145 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $3,286. For a family of four, it’s $4,139 plus $6,499 for a three-bedroom. Life in Singapore is great, but after those prices, there’s a lot to consider.

5. Barbados

Barbados is an island nation with beautiful beaches and crystal clear water. But the expenses will put you in the red. The Cost of Living Index score is 84.2. The cost of living for a single person is $1,169 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $642.45. For a family of four, it’s $4,310 plus $1,654 for a three-bedroom. Life in Barbados can be a delicious dream, but those prices can definitely set you back.

6. Norway

This Nordic country is consistently at the top of lists. Whether it’s the happiest country or the richest country, it’s no surprise they’re also one of the most expensive. Its score is 82.2. The cost of living for a single person is $1,190 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,064. For a family of four, it’s $4,256 plus $1,793 for a three-bedroom. Maybe other Nordic countries will be cheaper?

7. Denmark

Well, Denmark is another Nordic country and it’s uber-expensive, as well. The Cost of Living Index score is 79.2. The cost of living for a single person is $1,136 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,115. For a family of four, it’s $4,063 plus $2,070 for a three-bedroom. Ah, well, you can always hop to the other side of the Øresund Bridge into Sweden, perhaps.

8. Australia

Here’s another island country, but unfortunately prices are also expensive here. The problem is importing goods down under. Its score is 75.4. The cost of living for a single person is $1,064 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,489. For a family of four, it’s $3,749 plus $2,419 for a three-bedroom. If you’re looking for another country near Aussie, perhaps New Zealand is cheaper.

9. United States

America is known as the land of opportunity, where you can make it because, after all, it’s the American dream. Hate to break it to you, but the US is quite an expensive country to live in. Its score is 74.2. The cost of living for a single person is $1,131 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,836. For a family of four, it’s $4,034 plus $3,043 for a three-bedroom. Wow, these prices are eye-openingly expensive!

10. Luxembourg

Here’s another European country on the list. But don’t let Luxembourg’s size fool you, this is a very expensive country to live in. Its score is 71.7. The cost of living for a single person is $1,055 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,739. For a family of four, it’s $3,645 plus $3,002 for a three-bedroom. If you move more south like Spain or Portugal, things will be more affordable.

11. New Zealand

Just like Iceland and Australia, island nations have to import goods and that’s why prices are out of control. New Zealand’s Cost of Living Index score is 70.7. The cost of living for a single person is $987 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,102. For a family of four, it’s $3,561 plus $1,825 for a three-bedroom. It’s not that bad, but it’s also not the most affordable, either. Maybe living down under isn’t the most cost-effective idea.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the 11 most expensive countries in the world to live in today. It’s an outrageous world where everything is getting more expensive. The rents are getting higher, the prices for homes are ridiculous, and the cost of food is just wild. All we can hope for is that things start to calm down, governments realize the mistakes they’ve made and start curbing soaring prices.

Discover the Top 11 Most Expensive Countries to Live In Today