Adil Raza Khan | September 1, 2025
Do you know what the World’s Most Expensive Countries are? This question keeps puzzling travellers, investors, and even expats in their quest for new opportunities in 2025. As the living standards increase and the currencies grow, as well as indulgent lifestyle expectations, some countries are always at the top of the expensive list in the world.
Whether it is luxury housing markets or high lifestyle costs, these countries set the standard for not only the cost of living but also real estate opportunities, world prestige, and living standards.
In this insider guide, we discuss the Most Expensive Countries in the world in 2025. It will help you decide whether you are planning a move to work, study, or permanent residence, or just to compare global markets with real estate opportunities in Dubai.
The cost of living index is one of the important indicators that determines the cost of living in one country relative to another. It includes:
Information on the most expensive countries can help you better plan your migration, investment, or relocation strategy. This data also assists property investors in comparing property ownership costs and possible yields in terms of renting within regions.
According to Numbeo, the World Bank and Forbes, the following is the current ranking of the 15 most expensive countries in 2025:
The cost of living in Switzerland is always high and always one of the most expensive countries around the world. With gorgeous Alps, a robust economy and top living standards, it is an ideal destination but at a very expensive cost.
The European market is one of the most expensive in the country, and the cities such as Zurich and Geneva have very little supply. Wealthy purchasers regard the Swiss property as a haven of safety but stringent ownership regulations are involved. By comparison, Dubai has more lenient ownership solutions and greater ROI in the rentals.
Norway has provided natural beauty, safety, and one of the strongest economies in the world. But all these benefits come at a premium cost.
The Oslo area is stable in property prices with oil wealth and scarcity of housing. To an international investor, the market in Dubai is more open and tax free than the regulated market in Norway.
Iceland's breathtaking glaciers and waterfalls attract thousands of tourists and expats every year. But living here isn't cheap.
Geography restricts and makes real estate costly. The Dubai real estate market has offered more liquidity and options to investors because the apartments and villas are priced within a wider span and have met the global standards of luxury.
Denmark is also expensive to expats because of its rewarding quality of life, welfare system, and happiness index.
The property in Copenhagen is costly though not volatile and foreign investors are limited. Instead, Dubai is more attractive to foreign investors by letting foreigners, without paying any property taxes, purchase freehold property on the basis of the annual property taxes.
Singapore is a financial centre in the world and the most expensive country in Asia.
Singapore real estate is a competitive market with the luxury condos priced higher than almost any other market in Asia. However, the measures of cooling adopted by the government and elevated stamp duties on foreigners complicate investment. In comparison, Dubai is characterized by the friendly policy towards investors and the lack of property tax.
A small but wealthy country, Luxembourg is among the costliest in Europe.
Property values have gone very high with minimal land. It is a more favorable entry point to investors who are interested in growth and affordability as it will appreciate more quickly.
The Hong Kong real estate business is among the most costly in the world.
Some small apartments are worth millions of dollars so that they are not available to all. By contrast, Dubai offers spacious luxury apartments and villas at a fraction of the prices charged by Hong Kong with higher rental returns.
Australia has a high standard of living with its colorful cities such as Sydney and Melbourne but also having high cost of living.
Sweden combines high taxes with excellent social welfare and infrastructure.
Real estate in Stockholm is very expensive and due to high taxes and stringent rules, many investors are put away; this is unlike Dubai's tax-free, investor-friendly policy.
The Netherlands boasts of a liberal society, good education and modern infrastructure, but at a heavy cost. The city of Amsterdam in particular is known to have skyrocketing rental rates because of scarce housing stock.
Other large cities such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, or The Hague are also undergoing acute rises in the real estate demand, which drives the general living costs up. To the expats and specialists, the country presents stability and good working opportunities even though it is quite costly to reside comfortably.
Due to its clean environment, high levels of safety and the best of education, Finland has always been on the list of best countries in the world to live in. Nevertheless, these advantages are expensive.
The cost of housing in Helsinki and other cities is still high as there is a scarce supply, and daily payments on food, utility, and transportation costs are high as compared to the majority of European nations. Although the welfare system not only pays for healthcare and education in an efficient manner, the general cost of living flagrates Finland as one of the most expensive places in Northern Europe.
France is on the list of the most expensive countries in the world. It is associated with luxury and good standards of living. The French capital is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, and rents and day-to-day expenses are straining both the locals and the expatriates.
In the rest of the world, cities such as Lyon, Nice, or Bordeaux are not that cheap in terms of living expenses, especially in housing. The real estate market in Paris competes with London and New York in luxury, and although the demand is high, property taxation is very high, thus making it difficult to own one. France also has a rich cultural lifestyle, and in order to succeed in this country, one needs profound financial planning.
America is the most different story, with prices varying according to location. Cities such as New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles are always listed as being the most expensive cities in the world, mainly due to housing shortage and high real estate prices.
Conversely, places like Atlanta, Dallas or Miami have a comparatively cheaper living, despite the promising economies. Medical treatment is among the largest spending of residents, which is usually above the global standard. The U.S. is also a diverse place in terms of cost yet its leading metropolitan regions are rated among the most expensive in the world.
Japan is regarded as having smooth harmony between the traditional and the innovative, although its big cities are very expensive to live in. Tokyo and especially it is one of the priciest real estate markets in the world with a scarcity of land and a high demand at all times.
Living expenses, grocery, utilities etc. are fast-paced expenses in everyday life yet the transport system is efficient and reliable. Japan is a safe and good in terms of medical care and education, yet, to live in Tokyo or Osaka and stay comfortable, one needs considerable capital.
The United Kingdom and London in particular has traditionally been regarded as one of the most expensive places to reside in the entire world. The cost of housing is the biggest expense in the budget and housing in London and rent is always one of the highest in Europe.
Even the basic needs like groceries, transport and even food are still very expensive in comparison with other European countries. Although the country has access to some of the best universities in the world, global financial centre and cultural diversity, the taxation and economic uncertainties particularly after Brexit affect the property and living environment.
When discussing the World’s Most Expensive Countries, Dubai deserves a special mention—even though it’s technically a city-emirate within the UAE. Over the past decade, Dubai has transformed into a global hub for luxury, real estate, and ultra-high living standards. Known for its skyscrapers, tax-free economy, and luxury lifestyle, Dubai consistently ranks among the world’s most sought-after (and costly) destinations to live and invest in.
The most costly countries in the world have emphasized lifestyle, infrastructure, and property as the determinants of the cost of living. The city centers of Switzerland, the urban centers of world finance in Singapore, and other places demonstrate how the scarcity of land and the quality of housing precondition the growth in property values.
Investors use these nations and those with high net worth as a reminder that real property is the best measure of affluence, stability, and growth in the long run. Though it is a place with luxurious living conditions, Dubai offers much lower prices than many on this list, which makes it a great option among property buyers globally.
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WRITTEN BY
Adil Khan is a Dubai luxury real estate expert with over 13 years of experience in the UAE property market. He is the Chairman of APIL Properties.
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Do you know what the World’s Most Expensive Countries are? This question keeps puzzling travellers, investors, and even expats in their quest for new opportunities in 2025. As the living standards increase and the currencies grow, as well as indulgent lifestyle expectations, some countries are always at the top of the expensive list in the world.
Whether it is luxury housing markets or high lifestyle costs, these countries set the standard for not only the cost of living but also real estate opportunities, world prestige, and living standards.
In this insider guide, we discuss the Most Expensive Countries in the world in 2025. It will help you decide whether you are planning a move to work, study, or permanent residence, or just to compare global markets with real estate opportunities in Dubai.
Dubai is known to the world for its superlative sensations—boasting of the biggest, the most extravagant, and the most expensive! The restaurants here match up to the ‘highest’ standards set with equal grace.
Food is good in almost every restaurant in Dubai. Then, why the hype around the most expensive restaurants in Dubai? Well, it is about the Experience! Some upper-end restaurants do more than just sensitizing the taste buds. The experiential dining awestrucks all the brain and body cells.
How awesome would it feel if sharks swam past your table while you enjoyed global delicacies? What about being strapped into your seat around a dinner table that hangs 50 meters above the ground in the sky via a crane? Cannot be answered, only experienced!
So, let us mention a few of the finest gastronomical destinations tagged as the most expensive restaurants in Dubai. You will hear about Michelin-starred restaurants a lot in Dubai, so first learn what they are.
