Deutsche Bank global city cost of living study

A 2026 study by the Deutsche Bank Research Institute, titled “Mapping the World’s Prices 2026,” analyzed cost of living, income, and real estate trends across 69 major cities.

Initial findings focused on the cost of everyday goods and services. The report noted that Barcelona remains a competitive location for residents and visitors, with costs for dining, transport, and leisure remaining well below expensive hubs like Zurich, Geneva, Tel Aviv, New York, and San Francisco. For example, a standard restaurant meal for two in Barcelona costs approximately €59, compared to roughly €127 in Swiss cities.

Subsequent data from the study detailed significant disparities in monthly earnings and housing markets. Zurich was identified as having the highest average post-tax monthly income at $8,363, while Istanbul recorded a much lower average net monthly income of $1,173. In the real estate sector, Zurich was the most expensive city for housing at €22,910 per square meter, whereas Istanbul was the most affordable European city for central housing at €2,646 per square meter.