Singapore
Cost of Living Index: 81.1
Photo by Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Singapore is a city state on a small island at the tip of Southeast Asia. Though small, it occupies a key position in Asian shipping lanes. As such, it has been an important port for centuries.
In more recent times, it has become a hypermodern world city, with all the amenities you could ask for. Where glamor is concerned, you can put Singapore on a par with Paris, London, or Hong Kong -- just a bit smaller.
Nothing about Singapore is crazy expensive, but it is moderately pricy across the board -- from rent prices, to groceries, to dining out.
Israel
Cost of Living Index: 81.15
Image by Stefan Nyffenegger from Pixabay
Israel is a land of great history and great faith. It offers breezy Mediterranean resort towns, and further inland, the most sacred city in the world. Jerusalem is a site of pilgramage for all three Abrahamic faiths -- Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. As such, Israel has never lacked appeal.
While rent is surprisingly cheap here, groceries (66.31) and eating out (88.65) will both set you back a bit.
Luxembourg
Cost of Living Index: 81.89
Image by Pit Karges from Pixabay
Luxembourg is another small but fabulously rich country. It occupies a strategic location between France, Germany, and the other Low Countries. Despite its small size, it has burgeoning tech and financial sectors that have allowed it to punch above its weight economically.
That’s reflected in the high cost of living -- and even visiting. Its numbers are consistently quite high across the board, but the highest is eating out (89.85). On the bright side, you won’t have to carry much change… because you won’t get any.
The Bahamas
Cost of Living Index: 82.51
Photo by Damon On Road on Unsplash
The Bahamas comprises about 2,000 islands. It’s one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. But it’s definitely not a bargain destination.
The Bahamanian Dollar is on a 1:1 par with the USD. That’s good because it means American visitors won’t have to change currency. But don’t expect to save either.
The high costs are also augmented by the fact that virtually everything has to be imported.
Denmark
Cost of Living Index: 83
Image by Rolands Varsbergs from Pixabay
Denmark is a gorgeous Scandinavian country, just north of Germany. You’ll fall in love with the architecture, the coastal towns, and the warmth of the people. Denmark is one of the most progressive countries in the world.
Of course, that comes with a cost. The minimum wage in Denmark is about $19 USD per hour. While rent is pretty cheap and groceries aren’t terrible, dining out will definitely cost you (100.75).
Japan
Cost of Living Index: 83.35
Image by Sofia Terzoni from Pixabay
Japan is a wonderful country to visit. Seriously. If you visit, you will be amazed at how clean everything is and how efficiently the country operates. It puts most other countries to shame. Plus, the people are super friendly and eager to help.
While rent is pretty cheap and there are plenty of affordable restaurants, groceries are quite expensive (81.82).
Iceland
Cost of Living Index: 100.48
Image by Rebecca L from Pixabay
Iceland is one of the most popular tourist countries of the past decade. Its natural beauty is unparalleled. With a population of less than half a million people, its rugged volcanic landscape remains untouched -- except by overeager tourists. There have been so many visitors to Iceland in the last few years that the government actually instituted a special tourist tax to stem the tide.
As for living here, that’s plenty expensive as well. While housing costs are reasonable, both groceries and dining out are very pricey -- largely because so much has to be imported.
Norway
Cost of Living Index: 101.43
Norway is famous for its scenic fjords, steep cliffed bays that jut into the coastline of the country. It’s also famous as a very expensive destination. Living there isn’t a discount either. Rents are pretty cheap (36.15), but groceries (91.14) and restaurants (109.28) will leave you in the poorhouse.
Switzerland
Cost of Living Index: 122.4
Nestled in the Alps, Switzerland boasts unparalleled views of green Alpine valleys. Other selling points include winter sports, and a friendly multilingual population.
Unfortunately, Switzerland is also the gold standard for most expensive countries. The only comparatively affordable thing here is housing (50.25). But groceries (120.27) and dining out (123.01) are off-the-charts outrageous.
