More affluent buyers are choosing to own homes in several jurisdictions. Picking the right location starts with knowing what luxury living costs across the world’s leading destinations.
Two 2026 Datasets Compare the Cost of Luxury Living
Two new datasets give a clear view of the question. One measures the cost of a luxury lifestyle. The other measures what luxury real estate sells for in prime markets.
The Julius Baer Lifestyle Index: Cost of a Luxury Lifestyle
The Julius Baer Lifestyle Index appears in the Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026, which Julius Baer released in July 2026. The index compares major cities by tracking the prices of a basket of luxury goods and services.
Most Expensive Cities for Luxury Living in 2026
Singapore holds the top spot as the world’s most expensive city for luxury living this year. Zurich ranks second, a climb from fifth place in 2025. Monaco takes third and moves ahead of Hong Kong, which held that position last year.
Lower-Cost Luxury Living: Sydney, Milan and Bangkok
The index points to Sydney, Milan and Bangkok as strong options for buyers who want luxury living at a lower cost.
Luxury Real Estate Prices: US$5M+ Homes by City
The second dataset is a September 2026 brand analysis from Sotheby’s International Realty® covering US$5M+ property prices in these same prime locations. It ranks Monaco as the most expensive global city for luxury real estate at US$6,581 per square foot. Hong Kong follows at US$6,500 per square foot, and Zurich is third at US$4,330 per square foot.
Absolute Cost Is Only Part of Luxury Value
Price per square foot and lifestyle costs matter, but they do not settle the question of value on their own. Christian Gattiker, head of research at Julius Baer, describes what he sees among wealthy clients: an active effort to adapt, weighing where to live, where to spend and even where to buy luxury goods based on relative value across jurisdictions. In his words, this mobility, both physical and financial, is becoming a “defining feature of wealth in 2026.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is the most expensive for luxury living in 2026?
Singapore, according to the Julius Baer Lifestyle Index. Zurich is second and Monaco is third.
Which city has the highest luxury real estate prices?
Monaco, at US$6,581 per square foot for US$5M+ homes, followed by Hong Kong at US$6,500 and Zurich at US$4,330.
Where can buyers find luxury living at a lower cost?
The Julius Baer Lifestyle Index names Sydney, Milan and Bangkok as good picks.
Ready to Weigh the Value of Your Next Luxury Home?
Price per square foot is one input. Location, lifestyle and long-term fit decide whether a home is worth it. If you are comparing luxury homes along the coast, in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach or beyond, I can walk you through the numbers and the neighborhoods behind them. Call me at (310) 400-0297 or send a message to start the conversation.
