Luxury Living 2026: Ranking the Most Expensive & Best Countries

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is designed for families from Russia and CIS countries seeking “healthy luxury”: security, climate, international schools, quality healthcare, and clear residence regulations (residence permits / ikamet) — not just high price tags.

The Best Country in the World: Where Expensive Living Meets Comfort

The title of “best country in the world” depends on several factors:

• Income levels and overall wealth
• Quality of life indicators (ecology, medicine, education, safety)
• Cost of premium real estate and services
  
  

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2025 Leaders:

• Singapore — stability, order, cleanliness, premium services
• Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva) — wealth, safety, extremely low crime
• Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland) — leaders in ecology, healthcare, and happiness
• USA — enormous opportunities and the world’s most expensive cities (New York, Los Angeles), though safety is lower than in Europe

Key Conclusions:

• Wealthiest country by nominal GDP: USA
• Most expensive country to live: Monaco
• Safest countries: Denmark and Switzerland

The Most Expensive Cities for Luxury Living

Top 10 Cities in 2025:

1. Singapore
2. London
3. Hong Kong
4. Monaco
5. Zurich
6. Shanghai
7. Dubai
8. New York
9. Paris
10. Milan

Information Moscow and other Russian cities have dropped out of the ranking. Dubai has rapidly entered the elite tier, while most US cities (except New York) are losing positions.

Prime Real Estate Records: Monaco and Beyond

An analysis of the world’s most expensive and comfortable cities for luxury living in 2025–2026.

• Monaco: $1 million buys only 19 m²
• New York: $1 million ≈ 34 m²
• Hong Kong, Singapore, Geneva, London: 22–36 m² per $1 million
• Average prices in Monaco exceeded €51,900 per m²

Across 45 leading global cities, prime real estate prices rose by +2.8% annually.

Important For Russian citizens, payment methods matter: escrow accounts, SWIFT via friendly banks, developer instalments, or USDT by agreement.

Cost of a Luxury Lifestyle: Housing, Transport, Leisure

🏠 Luxury Rent (per m²/month)

• Monaco: $120–180
• London: $90–140
• New York: $85–130
• Singapore: $70–110
• Paris: $60–90

🛥 Yachts (per day)

• Monaco / Riviera: $35,000–60,000
• Dubai: $25,000–45,000
• Türkiye: $15,000–30,000

🚁 Private Jets (per hour)

• New York: $18,000–25,000
• London / Zurich: $15,000–22,000
• Singapore / Hong Kong: $14,000–20,000
• Dubai: $12,000–18,000

🎭 Opera & Theatre

• New York: $240–255
• Milan: €210–250
• Paris: €150–260

🏌️ Golf Clubs (Membership)

• USA: $200,000–500,000
• UK: £150,000
• Dubai: six figures, but cheaper than the US

🛍 Hermès Birkin Bag

• USA: $13,900
• Europe: €9,800
• Secondary market: $28,000–30,000

💆 SPA Treatments

• London: £265
• New York: $425–700
• Paris: €260–330

🚗 Bentley Ownership (Annual)

• USA: $2,500–4,000
• Europe: slightly cheaper service, higher taxes
• Dubai: affordable service, but faster wear due to climate

Education Costs

• Hong Kong: $32,000–40,000/year
• New York / Boston: $45,000–60,000/year
• London: £28,000–40,000/year
• Harvard University: up to $95,000/year

Success Increasingly, families from Russia and CIS choose Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara — slightly less prestige, but dramatically lower costs.

“Health Is the Ultimate Luxury”: Quality of Life Ranking

Top 10 Cities Where Cost Meets Ecology & Safety:

1. Copenhagen
2. Vienna
3. Zurich
4. Geneva
5. Stockholm
6. Helsinki
7. Singapore
8. Munich
9. Vancouver
10. Sydney

Information For CIS families, this combination of clean air, healthcare, schools, and low crime significantly reduces relocation stress.

Life in the USA: Expensive but Prestigious

• New York, Los Angeles, Miami remain among the most expensive cities
• Rent: $90–130/m²
• Private schools: $45,000–60,000/year
• Ivy League universities: $90,000–95,000/year

Important For Russian/CIS citizens, visas and insurance are more complex. Budgets are higher, but the US remains a global hub for careers and education.

Cost Rankings: Housing, Cars, Hotels, Dining

• Prime real estate: Monaco — $89,240/m²; London — $46,359; New York — $33,513
• Luxury cars: Istanbul — $227,900; Zurich — $138,800; Dubai — $134,500
• Hotels: New York — $1,551/night; Zurich — $840; Dubai/Barcelona — $752
• Fine dining: Paris — $331; London — $282; Zurich — $255; Istanbul — $101
• Legal services: London/New York — $900–950/hour
• Personal trainer: New York — $10,340/year; Dubai — $5,377/year

Alanya (Türkiye): An Affordable Luxury AlternativeSafety index: ~80/100

• Healthcare: ~85/100, modern clinics
• Ecology: fresh sea air, no heavy industry
• Climate: 300 sunny days per year

Alanya proves that living well does not require billionaire budgets — while still offering a distinct form of Turkish luxury:

• Fine dining restaurants with curated wine lists
• Prestigious international schools (IB, Cambridge)
• Modern marinas, private aviation via Gazipaşa & Antalya
• Sea-view penthouses, villas, gated residences
• VIP SPA & wellness centers
• Premium cars from Bentley to Ferrari

Success The greatest luxury of Alanya is health, safety, and low stress — nature, climate, fresh food, and an active outdoor lifestyle. For families from Russia and CIS, Alanya offers a rare balance of accessibility and prestige.

What RestProperty Does for You in 2026

• Property selection in Alanya & Antalya for residence, investment, or rental
• Full legal support: title deed (TAPU), contracts, residence permits (ikamet)
• Family financial model: housing + schools + insurance + flights
• Russian-speaking support: doctors, schools, utilities
• Post-sale services: property management, insurance, check-ups, home services

📞 WhatsApp / Telegram: +90 532 777 2 777

FAQ

Which country has the highest quality of life?
Switzerland and Scandinavian countries.

Which country is the most expensive?
Monaco, Singapore, Switzerland, UK.

Where to buy seaside property?
Alanya, Antalya, Bodrum, Dubai, Costa del Sol, Liguria.

How many cities are there in the world?
Around 10,000.

USA vs Europe?
USA — prestige, careers, high budgets.
Europe — stability, health, social security.