Rent and groceries usually get all the attention when we talk about expensive cities, but the real budget shock often hits after work when you just want dinner, a drink, or a fun night out. Time Out set out to measure exactly that side of city life, looking at how costly it feels to eat out, grab coffee, visit cultural venues, and enjoy nightlife. The results paint a clear picture of where wallets empty fastest and where everyday fun still feels within reach.
The ranking comes from a large survey of more than 18,000 residents across over 100 cities worldwide. Locals were asked how affordable they find a range of activities, from restaurants and bars to cinemas, theatre, concerts, exhibitions, coffee, and nights out. Cities were then compared by the share of respondents who described these experiences as affordable, or even cheap and free.
At the top of the most expensive list sits Seoul. Only 30 percent of residents said dining out feels affordable, while just 21 percent said the same about a night out, and 27 percent felt a bar drink was reasonably priced. Seoul’s reputation for nightlife is huge, but the survey suggests it can be a challenging place to keep things spontaneous if you are watching your spending.
Even within Seoul, the vibe and the price tag can shift depending on where you go. Areas like Hongdae are known for a younger crowd and a more alternative scene, while Gangnam leans into luxury with exclusive clubs and pricey tables. Itaewon offers an international mix of bars and late nights, but weekends can still feel steep, which helps explain why many locals gravitate toward options like karaoke rooms, gaming cafés, and late night street food.
High costs show up elsewhere too, with Oslo earning a particularly tough reputation for restaurants, as only 24 percent of locals considered eating out affordable. London, Sydney, and Los Angeles also land among the priciest, and London stands out for an interesting contradiction. Just 16 percent of Londoners felt a night out was affordable, yet 83 percent said art and culture in the city can be cheap or free.
On the other end, Medellín and Bogotá were rated the most affordable for social life. In Medellín, 89 percent said restaurants are affordable, 83 percent felt drinks are reasonably priced, and 94 percent said coffee is cheap. Beijing and Shanghai also scored well for theatre, while New Orleans was the only US city on the affordable list, with strong marks for live music and bar prices. The only catch is that this survey focused on going out, not rent, housing, or everyday essentials, so it is best read as a guide to social spending rather than total cost of living.
Do you agree with these picks, or has another city surprised you with how expensive, or affordable, it feels after dark? Share your take in the comments.
