Asia Capitals Quiz
Test your knowledge of Asian countries and their capital cities.
Bern, Switzerland ranks as the most expensive capital city in this list when capital cities are filtered from Numbeo’s 2026 city-level Cost of Living Index. The ranking uses the Cost of Living Index excluding rent, with New York City set at 100. Rent is shown separately because housing can change the picture in cities such as Singapore, London, Washington, DC and Amsterdam.
This ranking compares capital cities only. Non-capital cities that often appear near the top of global cost lists, including Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv-Yafo and New York City, are not ranked here unless they are the national capital.
How This Ranking Was Measured
Everyday consumer prices such as groceries, restaurants, transport and utilities, excluding rent.
A score above 100 means higher everyday prices than New York City; a score below 100 means lower everyday prices.
The table uses Numbeo’s 2026 city index and filters it to national capitals and capital-status cities.
Source note: Numbeo explains that its Cost of Living Index excludes rent, while its Cost of Living Plus Rent Index combines consumer prices and rental costs. See Numbeo Cost of Living Index by City 2026 and Numbeo’s index explanation.
Top 3 Most Expensive Capital Cities
Bern
Switzerland
Cost of Living Index: 110.0
Bern is Switzerland’s federal city and de facto capital. Swiss cities dominate the upper end of global cost data, and Bern is the capital-city entry that reaches the highest score.
Reykjavik
Cost of Living Index: 98.9
Iceland’s small market, import dependence and high service prices make Reykjavik one of the costliest capitals for everyday spending.
Oslo
Cost of Living Index: 90.2
Oslo combines high wages, high tax-influenced consumer prices and expensive services, although rent is lower than in some other major capitals.
Most Expensive Capital Cities Ranked
The table ranks capital cities by the Cost of Living Index excluding rent. The “plus rent” column is included because a city may be expensive for daily purchases but rank differently once housing is added.
| Rank | Capital City | Country | Cost of Living Index | Rent Index | Cost of Living Plus Rent | Capital Status Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bern | Switzerland | 110.0 | 46.8 | 81.8 | Federal city and de facto capital |
| 2 | Reykjavik | Iceland | 98.9 | 50.1 | 77.1 | Official capital |
| 3 | Oslo | Norway | 90.2 | 39.3 | 67.5 | Official capital |
| 4 | Singapore | Singapore | 87.7 | 73.1 | 81.2 | City-state capital |
| 5 | London | United Kingdom | 87.5 | 70.1 | 79.7 | Official capital |
| 6 | Washington, DC | United States | 87.3 | 69.0 | 79.1 | Federal capital district |
| 7 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 85.7 | 46.1 | 68.0 | Official capital |
| 8 | Jerusalem | Israel | 83.0 | 40.2 | 63.9 | Capital status is internationally disputed |
| 9 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | 82.6 | 60.0 | 72.5 | Constitutional capital; government seat is The Hague |
| 10 | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 80.6 | 54.8 | 69.1 | Official capital |
| 11 | Stockholm | Sweden | 78.6 | 36.1 | 59.7 | Official capital |
| 12 | Paris | France | 78.6 | 43.5 | 62.9 | Official capital |
| 13 | Canberra | Australia | 71.2 | 37.8 | 56.3 | Planned capital |
| 14 | Berlin | Germany | 70.0 | 36.2 | 54.9 | Official capital |
| 15 | Madrid | Spain | 60.0 | 36.2 | 49.4 | Official capital |
| 16 | Valletta | Malta | 60.0 | 35.2 | 48.9 | Official capital |
| 17 | Prague | Czech Republic | 59.6 | 32.0 | 47.3 | Official capital |
| 18 | Nicosia | Cyprus | 58.0 | 21.0 | 41.5 | Official capital |
| 19 | Athens | Greece | 57.9 | 18.2 | 40.2 | Official capital |
| 20 | Ljubljana | Slovenia | 57.4 | 27.2 | 44.0 | Official capital |
Data boundary: figures are city-level index entries, not full metropolitan areas, capital districts or national averages. Rankings can change when rent, salary, taxes, exchange rates or a different survey method is used.
Why Zurich, Geneva and Hong Kong Are Not in the Table
Many global cost-of-living lists are led by cities that are not national capitals. Zurich and Geneva are Swiss cities, but Bern is Switzerland’s federal city. Hong Kong is a high-cost financial centre, but it is not a sovereign national capital. Tel Aviv-Yafo is often highly ranked for prices, but Jerusalem is the capital entry used here, with its status noted separately because of international disagreement.
What Makes These Capitals Expensive?
High Everyday Prices
Bern, Reykjavik and Oslo show how groceries, restaurants, transport and services can lift a capital even when rent is not the main reason for its ranking.
Rent Pressure
Singapore, London, Washington, DC and Amsterdam move closer to the top when rent is included, because housing costs are a large part of total monthly spending.
Small or Import-Dependent Markets
Island and small-market capitals such as Reykjavik, Singapore and Valletta often face higher import, logistics or land constraints than larger continental cities.
Capital Status Is Not Always Simple
Bern, Amsterdam and Jerusalem show why capital lists need status notes. A city can be a federal city, constitutional capital, seat of government or politically disputed capital.
Ranking by Rent-Inclusive Cost
If rent is included, the top order changes. Bern still ranks very high, but Singapore, London and Washington, DC rise because rental costs are much closer to New York levels than in many other capitals.
| Rent-Inclusive Rank | Capital City | Country | Cost of Living Plus Rent Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bern | Switzerland | 81.8 |
| 2 | Singapore | Singapore | 81.2 |
| 3 | London | United Kingdom | 79.7 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | United States | 79.1 |
| 5 | Reykjavik | Iceland | 77.1 |
| 6 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | 72.5 |
| 7 | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 69.1 |
| 8 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 68.0 |
| 9 | Oslo | Norway | 67.5 |
| 10 | Jerusalem | Israel | 63.9 |
How to Read the Scores
A Cost of Living Index of 110.0 for Bern means Numbeo estimates everyday consumer prices there at about 10% above New York City, excluding rent. A score of 87.7 for Singapore means everyday prices are lower than New York on that specific measure, but Singapore’s rent index of 73.1 makes it one of the most expensive capitals once housing is included.
The ranking does not measure affordability by local salary. A capital can have high prices and high wages, or lower prices and weaker purchasing power. For relocation decisions, the rent index, local purchasing power, tax situation and household size should be read alongside the headline cost score.
FAQ
What is the most expensive capital city in the world?
Using Numbeo’s 2026 Cost of Living Index and filtering for capital cities, Bern, Switzerland ranks first among capital-city entries. Switzerland’s costliest cities overall are not all capitals, which is why Bern appears here instead of Zurich or Geneva.
Is Singapore the most expensive capital city?
Singapore is one of the most expensive capitals, especially when rent is included. In the Cost of Living Index excluding rent, it ranks below Bern, Reykjavik and Oslo in this filtered list. In the Cost of Living Plus Rent measure, it moves near the top.
Why is New York City not listed?
New York City is not the capital of the United States. Washington, DC is the US capital, so Washington is the city included in this capital-only ranking.
Is Amsterdam really the capital of the Netherlands?
Yes. Amsterdam is the constitutional capital of the Netherlands, while The Hague is the seat of government. This is why Amsterdam is included, with a status note in the table.
Why do different cost-of-living rankings give different results?
Rankings change because they use different baskets, sources, dates and audiences. Some surveys focus on expatriate living costs, some include rent, and some measure only everyday consumer prices. The table here states the metric used so the comparison stays clear.
