Zurich Tops List: World's Most Expensive Cities Revealed by Numbeo Index 2026

• Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2026 identifies the world's most expensive cities, excluding rent, focusing on daily expenses.
• Switzerland dominates the top spots, with Zurich ranked as the most expensive city globally for everyday costs.
• Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lugano, and Bern also feature prominently, highlighting Switzerland's high cost of living.
• New York City is the only non-European city in the top tier, serving as a benchmark for global living costs.
• Reykjavik, Honolulu, and San Francisco complete the top 10, driven by factors like remote geography, import reliance, and strong economies.

Why It Matters: Switzerland's cities lead the 2026 Cost of Living Index, with Zurich being the most expensive globally.