The 20 best cities in the world in 2026, according to Time Out
20. Valencia
- Population: 843,071
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $825.60
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,397.99
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $70
- Cost of a cappuccino: $2.80
19. Madrid
- Population: 6,834,320
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $954.70
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,471.23
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $70
- Cost of a cappuccino: $2.96
18. Guadalajara
- Population: 5,656,180
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $698.40
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $899.03
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $45.90
- Cost of a cappuccino: $3.76
17. Porto
- Population: 1,339,000
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $804.50
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,282.55
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $58.33
- Cost of a cappuccino: $2.49
16. Kraków
- Population: 769,354
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $873.20
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $959.88
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $54.81
- Cost of a cappuccino: $4.37
15. Hong Kong
- Population: 7.4 million
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,078.40
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $2,175.46
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $63.84
- Cost of a cappuccino: $4.95
14. São Paulo
- Population: 23,168,700
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $702.5
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $692.18
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $47.08
- Cost of a cappuccino: $2.19
13. Copenhagen
- Population: 1,409,680
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,359
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,955.30
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $125.28
- Cost of a cappuccino: $7.17
Rio de Janeiro
- Population: 14,023,100
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $631.50
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $646.10
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $39.23
- Cost of a cappuccino: $2.30
11. Zurich
- Population: 1,466,850
- Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,902
- Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: 3,014.65
- Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $151.66
- Cost of a cappuccino: $7.20
10. Tokyo
Population: 36,953,600
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $940.40
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,150.92
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $44.17
Cost of a cappuccino: $3.41
9. Seoul
Population: 10,050,200
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,042.90
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $868.85
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $60.88
Cost of a cappuccino: $3.65
8. Bangkok
Population: 11,543,900
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $694.70
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $704.87
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $37.48
Cost of a cappuccino: $2.95
7. Mexico City
Population: 23,016,800
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $799
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,158.86
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $57.26
Cost of a cappuccino: $3.88
6. Cape Town
Population: 5,147,500
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $732
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,027.98
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $48.63
Cost of a cappuccino: $2.40
5. New York
Population: 8,346,955
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,661.90
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $4,215.09
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $140
Cost of a cappuccino: $5.75
4. London
Population: 9,927,020
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,486.30
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $2,957.81
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $107.40
Cost of a cappuccino: $5.45
3. Edinburgh
Population: 568,163
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,195.2
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,603.44
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $107.40
Cost of a cappuccino: $5.16
2. Shanghai
Population: 31,049,800
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $594.40
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $884.08
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $29.28
Cost of a cappuccino: $3.04
1. Melbourne
Population: 5,464,920
Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $1,215.60
Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,728.24
Cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks): $84.43
Cost of a cappuccino: $3.83
