15 Cities With the Most Expensive Real Estate in the World

Written by Rachel Schneider on updated
A large white yacht is docked at a waterfront property featuring a luxurious mansion with red-tiled roofs and surrounded by palm trees. The sky is clear, and the waters are calm, reflecting the greenery and buildings.
felixmizioznikov/istockphoto

When it comes to real estate, certain cities around the globe are known for their sky-high property prices, attracting the world’s wealthiest individuals. From stunning beachfront villas to opulent city penthouses, these locations are home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. 

1. Monaco

A vibrant coastal cityscape with a marina filled with yachts, surrounded by colorful buildings and green hills. Cliffs edge into the blue sea, providing a stunning contrast between natural and urban elements under a clear sky.
alxpin / istockphoto
alxpin / istockphoto

Country: Monaco

Price per square foot: $7,386

Recent record-breaking sale: Mareterra district villas completed in December 2024, selling for more than $200 million each

The recently completed Mareterra is a luxury development built on reclaimed land from the Mediterranean Sea. The area includes a waterfront promenade along with apartments and villas. 

2. Singapore

Aerial view of a vibrant cityscape at dusk, featuring illuminated skyscrapers and the waterfront in Singapore. Prominent buildings and bridges are lit up, with green spaces and cultural landmarks visible in the foreground.
Aerial View of the City Illuminated at Sunset
Deejpilot/istockphoto

Country: Singapore

Price per square foot: $2,738

Recent record-breaking sale: $227 million mansion currently for sale

A luxury mansion in the Nassim Road area of Singapore, which sold for $175 million in 2019, is currently for sale for a record-breaking $227 million.

3. Hong Kong

Aerial view of Hong Kong at sunset, showcasing a dense skyline of illuminated skyscrapers. The Victoria Harbour is visible, framed by distant hills and a vibrant sky, transitioning from orange to deep blue, with a few scattered clouds.
EarnestTse / istockphoto
EarnestTse / istockphoto

Country: China

Price per square foot: $2,448

Recent record-breaking sale: $845 million luxury mansion sold in October 2024

This giant hillside mansion is surrounded by similar-looking mansions and still sold for an absurd $845 million because of its prime real estate and luxurious composition.

4. Zurich

A scenic view of a picturesque European town with a prominent clock tower. Colorful buildings line the water's edge, and a small boat navigates the calm river under a partly cloudy sky.
pawel.gaul / istockphoto
pawel.gaul / istockphoto

Country: Switzerland

Price per square foot: $2,217

Recent record-breaking sale: Tina Turner and Erwin Bach bought their lavish Swiss mansion in 2021 for a cool $76 million. After Turner’s death in 2023, fans visited the outside of her manor to pay their respects and leave flowers.

5. London

View of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London on a sunny day. The River Thames flows in the foreground, lined with blooming pink flowers. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and a Union Jack flag flies atop the building.
Vladislav Zolotov / istockphoto
Vladislav Zolotov / istockphoto

Country: United Kingdom

Price per square foot: $1,830

Recent record-breaking sale: A mansion seized from Saudi royals recently sold for $172 million 

“The White House of Regent’s Park” — formally The Holme — was reposessed from members of the Saudi royal family and sold for a (still staggering) fraction of the $314 million asking price.

6. Geneva

Aerial view of a city beside a large lake with a prominent water fountain. The cityscape features a mix of modern and historic buildings, with a mountainous backdrop under a clear blue sky crisscrossed by white contrails.
Bim / istockphoto
Bim / istockphoto

Country: Switzerland

Price per square foot: 1,678

Recent record-breaking sale: A mansion sold for $120 million in 2023

This mansion sold for a whopping $80,000 per square meter in an under-the-radar purchase.

7. New York, New York

Aerial view of Lower Manhattan, New York City, during sunset. Skyscrapers are densely packed, surrounded by the Hudson and East Rivers. The One World Trade Center stands prominently. Sunlight casts a warm glow over the buildings and cityscape.
Art Wager / istockphoto
Art Wager / istockphoto

Country: United States

Price per square foot: $1,668

Recent record-breaking sale: A penthouse atop Central Park Tower sold for $115 million in 2022

A penthouse on top of the tallest residential building in the world was originally listed in 2023 for $175 million before getting cut to $150 million. It finally sold for a still-impressive $115 million.

8. Shanghai

A panoramic view of Shanghai's skyline features modern skyscrapers along the waterfront, with the Oriental Pearl Tower prominently visible. The scene is set under a partly cloudy sky at sunset, reflected on the calm river.
zorazhuang / istockphoto
zorazhuang / istockphoto

Country: China

Price per square foot: $1,480

Recent record-breaking sale: A Shanghai Arch penthouse sold for $15 million just hours after being listed in 2024

Developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, this project saw all 212 upscale condos sell out on the first sales day.

9. Sydney

Aerial view of Sydney showing the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and surrounding cityscape. Boats are scattered across the harbor under a clear blue sky, with lush greenery along the shoreline and urban buildings in the background.
EyeEm Mobile GmbH / istockphoto
EyeEm Mobile GmbH / istockphoto

Country: Australia

Price per square foot: $1,260

Recent record-breaking sale: The historic Elaine estate sold for $130 million in 2024

The property’s owner has plans to subdivide the property into four parcels, with individual blocks listed between $30 million and $65 million. It aims for a combined sale value exceeding $200 million.

10. Paris

Aerial view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower on the right. The Seine River flows through the city, with boats visible on the water. The sky is painted with vibrant orange and blue hues as the sun sets in the background.
pawel.gaul / istockphoto
pawel.gaul / istockphoto

Country: France

Price per square foot: $1,158

Recent record-breaking sale: Billionaire Xavier Niel purchased the historic Hôtel Lambert for $207 million in 2022

In March 2022, when telecoms billionaire Niel purchased the historic Hôtel Lambert for $207 million, it was one of the biggest private sales in the city’s history.

11. San Francisco, California

A steep, sunny street in a hilly city is lined with colorful houses and trees. Cars are parked along the road, and power lines crisscross overhead. The distant neighborhood is densely packed with homes under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
tunart / istockphoto
tunart / istockphoto

Country: United States

Price per square foot: $1,028

Recent record-breaking sale: Laurene Powell Jobs purchased a mansion for $70 million in 2024

The property, built in 1916, is a Spanish Renaissance Revival-style mansion and offers expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay.

12. Tokyo

Tokyo skyline featuring the iconic red Tokyo Tower in the foreground, with a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. Mount Fuji's snow-capped peak looms majestically in the background under a clear blue sky.
yongyuan / istockphoto
yongyuan / istockphoto

Country: Japan

Price per square foot: $921

Recent record-breaking sale: A mansion in Azabudai Hills Aman Residences recently sold for $225 million

The Azabudai Hills Aman Residences, a collaboration between the Aman brand and local developers, is a vertical village and the tallest residential building in Tokyo.

13. Los Angeles, California 

Aerial view of a luxurious residential neighborhood with large houses, lush green lawns, and a golf course. The area is surrounded by trees and vegetation, under a hazy sky. Roads interconnect the properties.
dszc / istockphoto
dszc / istockphoto

Country: United States

Price per square foot: $732

Recent record-breaking sale: Jay-Z and Beyoncé purchased a Malibu estate for $200 million in 2024

This sale set a record for the most expensive house ever sold in California. 

14. Dubai

Aerial view of a modern cityscape featuring a tall skyscraper at the center, surrounded by other high-rise buildings. Complex highways with interchanges are visible in the foreground, under a clear blue sky during sunset.
frankpeters / istockphoto
frankpeters / istockphoto

Country: United Arab Emirates

Price per square foot: $624

Recent record-breaking sale: A six-bedroom villa sold for $65.47 million in 2024.

The 18,800-square-foot villa is the priciest property ever sold on Jumeirah Bay Island.

15. Miami, Florida

Aerial view of Miami showing a mix of residential areas with palm trees and skyscrapers in the background. The vibrant turquoise water separates islands with houses from the urban cityscape. The skyline is under a partly cloudy sky.
Alex Potemkin / istockphoto
Alex Potemkin / istockphoto

Country: United States

Price per square foot: $598

Recent record-breaking sale: A beachfront property in the Bay Point neighborhood of Miami recently sold for just over $85 million

The property was built in 2008 and expanded in 2017. It includes 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a gym, a game room, and a four-car garage.

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922