09/01/2026
Singapore has retained its title as the world’s most expensive city for luxury living for the third consecutive year, according to Julius Baer’s Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report.
The index tracks the cost of a curated basket of premium goods and services—such as fine dining, private healthcare, luxury real estate, and designer fashion—frequented by high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) holding at least $1 million in investable assets.
The ranking highlights notable shifts across the global luxury landscape:
Top Tier: London climbed to second place, overtaking Hong Kong (3rd) due in part to currency dynamics and premium service costs.
European & Asian Hubs: Monaco took fourth, followed by Zurich (5th) and Shanghai (6th).
Americas Representation: New York remained the sole North American city in the upper tier, while São Paulo led Latin American markets in luxury consumption costs.
Despite persistent macroeconomic pressures, inflation, and currency volatility, high-end consumer demand remains concentrated in global financial centers that offer strong infrastructure, political stability, and high standards of safety and service quality.