Is a big city automatically more expensive than a small city or town??? Why or why not?

Question

Is a big city automatically more expensive than a small city or town??? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Not at all.  Puako, HI (Big Island, population <500) is 4 times more expensive than Pittsburgh, PA (Metro Area > 2,000,000).

Obviously location is a big factor in that example.   But if comparing big city to small town in the same part of the country, the city will usually have more expnsive housing, but may be cheaper on the day-to-day retail goods and services.  In small towns there is less competition and less economy of scale.

Answer 2

What do you mean by more expensive?

Real estate costs vary from place to place, if that's what you were trying to say.

Answer 3

Usually, yes, but not always. Depends on the town or city. Big cities often have amenities that small towns do not and that pushes the prices up, however some small towns can be extremely desireable which can also push prices up.

Some big cities such as Detroit are relatively inexpensive, but that is because no one wants to live there, but some small towns like Jackson Hole, WY are quite expensive because of the scenery and some people really enjoy the activities there. But for the most part big cities are usually expensive and small towns (not including suburbs) usually not

Answer 4

No. Mexico City is much cheaper than Hyannis Port.

Answer 5

Some things yes, some things no. Things like housing are more expensive because of supply and demand. Things like food can be cheaper because they are shipped in greater quantity The exception being farm communities and their products. Other imported commodities that are not produced in the small community can be very expensive, where because of the mass shipments to larger cities and the increase in competition, products (such as electronics or funiture) can be less expensive in cities.