Comparison of worldwide cost of living

Living ist most expensive in the Bermudas and cheapest in Uzbekistan. In our ranking of 107 countries all around the world the USA comes in 21st.

The cost of living is calculated periodically in nearly representative baskets of consumer goods. But many factors complicate worldwide comparisons. E.g., a typical apartment doesn’t have a standard size nor fittings. Even the quality of a branded packet of butter isn’t the same in developing countries. Consequently, comparisons like this have to to be looked at with caution.

In addition, the level of the prevailing

Living ist most expensive in the Bermudas and cheapest in Uzbekistan. In our ranking of 107 countries all around the world the USA comes in 21st.The cost of living is calculated periodically in nearly representative baskets of consumer goods. But many factors complicate worldwide comparisons. E.g., a typical apartment doesn’t have a standard size nor fittings. Even the quality of a branded packet of butter isn’t the same in developing countries. Consequently, comparisons like this have to to be looked at with caution.In addition, the level of the prevailing average income should play a role in a cost comparison.

Cost of living and purchasing power related to average income

We adjusted the average cost of living inside the USA (based on 2021 and 2022) to an index of 100. All other countries are related to this index. Therefore with an index of e.g. 80, the usual expenses in another country are 20% less then in the United States.

The monthly income (please do not confuse this with a wage or salary) is calculated from the gross national income per capita.

The calculated purchasing power index is again based on a value of 100 for the United States. If it is higher, people can afford more based on the cost of living in relation to income. If it is lower, the population is less wealthy.

The example of Switzerland:
With a cost of living index of 145 all goods are on average about 45% more expensive than in the USA. But the average income in Switzerland of 7,550 USD is also 28% higher, which means that citizens can also afford more goods. Now you calculate the 45% higher costs against the 28% higher income. In the result, people in Switzerland can afford about 12 percent less than a US citizen.