The most expensive places to live in the world come with sky-high rents, grocery bills, and utility prices that will start adding up before you get the chance to settle down. It's a simple fact that the price tag of daily life is a lot steeper—or cheaper—in some places compared to others. The database compares expenses across thousands of places worldwide, measuring everyday costs such as rent, groceries, and restaurants. Based on Numbeo’s 2026 mid-year report, here are the eight most expensive countries and autonomous territories in the world. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.