* indicates monthly or quarterly data series

Cost of living index, world average = 100, 2021:

The average for 2021 based on 17 countries was 70.26 index points. The highest value was in Uruguay: 100.24 index points and the lowest value was in Nicaragua: 49.42 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Measure: index points; Source: World Bank International Comparison Program
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Countries Cost of living, 2021 Global rank Available data
Uruguay 100.24 1 2017 - 2021
Costa Rica 89.76 2 2017 - 2021
Chile 87.68 3 2017 - 2021
Panama 82.58 4 2017 - 2021
Mexico 74.67 5 2017 - 2021
Ecuador 72.37 6 2017 - 2021
El Salvador 71.35 7 2017 - 2021
Peru 71.05 8 2017 - 2021
Honduras 70.56 9 2017 - 2021
Brazil 67.41 10 2017 - 2021
Guatemala 66.62 11 2021 - 2021
Argentina 61.38 12 2017 - 2021
Paraguay 60.41 13 2017 - 2021
Domin. Rep. 59.04 14 2017 - 2021
Colombia 55.1 15 2017 - 2021
Bolivia 54.84 16 2017 - 2021
Nicaragua 49.42 17 2017 - 2021


New - World map: Cost of living




Definition: The cost of living index summarizes the level of prices paid by households and non-profit organizations that provide services to households. It incorporates all goods and services in the average consumption basket with appropriate weights. The data are from the World Bank International Comparison Program.

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