![Cityscape of Chicago Riverwalk at Dusable bridge over Michigan river , Chicago city, USA](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/07163245/chicago-river-1024x623.jpg)
Who would have thought that Chicago is more expensive than Paris and London? Despite the availability of free activities like movies in the park, museums, and frequent pop-up shops, the Cost of Living Index suggests that it is still not enough. We’re actually floored, to be honest, that Chicago has been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world.
This revelation comes from the Cost of Living Index, which shows that Chicago is not as budget-friendly as commonly believed. Despite the widespread belief that Chicago is a more affordable city compared to major city centers like New York City or Los Angeles, recent data analysis by Numbeo suggests otherwise.
![People gathered and listening to music for a Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/18065428/Tuesdays-on-the-terrace-3-1-1024x600.jpg)
Numbeo analyzed data from January 2024 to mid-year, considering factors such as the cost of living, rental prices, grocery expenses, restaurant prices, and local purchasing power to rank cities. Their findings revealed that seven of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world are located in the United States, with Chicago ranking 10th.
Here’s the list of the other most expensive cities in the world:
1. Geneva, Switzerland
2. Zurich, Switzerland
3. New York, New York
4. San Francisco, California, United States
5. Boston, Massachusetts, United States
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
7. Washington D.C., United States
8. Seattle, Washington, United States
9. Los Angeles, California, United States
10. Chicago, Illinois, United States