Nearby New York City is said to be one of the most expensive cities in the world and you have probably experienced that first hand. Everything is more expensive in the city, but it doesn’t even compare to some of the other most expensive cities in the world!

Singapore

Singapore in Asia is largely considered to be the most expensive places in the world. It has been atop of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s list of the most expensive places in the world for 3 straight years. It is one of the biggest party cities and business cities in all of Asia, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions. With tourists and partying comes high prices, largely because they are unfamiliar with the area and will pay whatever is presented to them. A huge factor of Singapore’s success is it’s location. It is centrally located in Asia with easy access to all major Asian countries and a short flight from Europe. It has firmly positioned itself as the most expensive city in the world and doesn’t look to be falling from this spot anytime soon.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and has become a popular vacation destination. It is a unique crossover between natural beauty and party city. Flights to and from Iceland are relatively cheap, but the spending starts once you get there. Pretty much everything in Reykjavik needs to imported from all over the world. There are few things that are produced in Iceland and it is in a hard to reach location, making things rather expensive. For example, beers at the bar are typically the equivalent to $10 US dollars, which is an astronomical price for most American cities. There are all kinds of different things to do in Iceland, like visit the Blue Lagoon spa, that are not terribly priced, but that is made up for in living expenses. If you plan on taking the trip to Iceland anytime soon we recommend being on the lookout for happy hour deals.

Zurich

Zurich is one of the biggest cities in Switzerland and is currently ranked the 3rd most expensive city in the world. It is known for its unbelievable scenery and architecture that is all over the city. The country of Switzerland as a whole is said to be an expensive place, and Zurich certainly shows that. One of the big reasons Zurich and Switzerland are so expensive is the work force they have. The biggest employment industries are things like finance, insurance, chemicals, and luxury goods. One of the biggest exports of Switzerland are luxury watches, a good example of what the economy is comprised of. People who work in these industries require higher pay, meaning that the economy can support higher priced items. The skilled workforce allows for everyday items to be more expensive because the local residents will have no problem paying for them. If it is in the budget, Zurich is an incredible city to check out and spend a few days in.

New York City typically falls around 10 on the list of the most expensive cities in the world, so believe it or not there are much worse. These cities are all so expensive because they are such desired destinations that people will often visit with no regard for what they are spending. We suggest having your wallet ready if you plan on taking a trip to any of these international cities!