Naples is the Italian city where the cost of daily life weighs less on the wallet. This is what Time Out said, which published a ranking based on the responses of thousands of residents around the world, asked to describe how accessible their everyday life is, from small expenses to evening outings.
The survey involved over 18,000 people and more than 100 cities. Each participant was asked to express a very concrete evaluation: how much it really costs to live in your own city when it comes to eating out, drinking a coffee, going to the cinema, seeing a show or treating yourself to an evening out. Not abstract perceptions, but daily experiences, filtered by the gaze of those who live those places every day.
Based on the answers considered “cheap”, “free” or in any case “accessible”, Time Out has developed a global ranking that compares the most expensive cities and those where the cost of social and cultural activities remains affordable for most. The criterion does not concern salaries or theoretical purchasing power, but the direct relationship between prices and the quality of urban life.
The most expensive cities in the world
At the top of the list of least affordable cities is Seoul. In the South Korean capital only 30% of those interviewed consider eating in restaurants accessible, while the percentage drops to 21% when it comes to nightlife. Even having a drink outside the home is expensive for the majority of residents, with just 27% defining ordering a drink as cheap.
Immediately after are Istanbul, Oslo and Stockholm, where food, drink and entertainment far exceed the European average. High prices also emerge in cities such as Kyoto, Athens, Sydney, Auckland, Munich, Brisbane, Los Angeles, Singapore and London, all perceived as difficult to sustain in the long term for those who like to go out often.
The cheapest cities in the world
The scenario changes radically when looking at the most convenient cities. Here South America dominates the ranking, with Medellín and Bogotá at the top. In both, 94% of the inhabitants say they are satisfied with the prices charged for daily activities. Beijing and New Orleans follow, while in fifth place stands the only Italian city present in the ranking, Naples.
The capital of Campania is rewarded for various aspects. Residents appreciate the low cost of cultural activities, accessible nightlife, drink prices and a widespread offer that allows them to experience the city without constant sacrifices. Added to this is a strong local identity, made up of spontaneous sociality and lived-in urban spaces, which contributes to making the daily experience richer even without great expense.
Evaluation method
Finally, Time Out specifies an important element. The survey focuses exclusively on costs related to going out and social life, therefore rent, accommodation and food costs are not included in the evaluation. A detail that helps to read the data with greater awareness, without losing sight of the broader context of the overall cost of living.
The rankings
We leave you with the rankings drawn up by Time Out.
The most expensive cities:
- Seoul, South Korea
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Oslo, Norway
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Kyoto, Japan
- Athens, Greece
- Sydney, Australia
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Munich, Germany
- Brisbane, Australia
- Los Angeles, United States
- Singapore
- London, United Kingdom
- Vancouver, Canada
- Miami, United States
The most convenient cities:
- Medellin, Colombia
- Bogota, Colombia
- Beijing, China
- New Orleans, United States
- Naples, Italy
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Shanghai, China
- Lima, Peru
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Santiago, Chile
- Cape Town, South Africa
