This is according to a study published by the financial platform Tradingpedia, after analysing the basic costs of living in 37 European capitals and their respective average salaries over the last 12 months.

A single person living in Luxembourg can not only comfortably cover their basic expenses but can also save a significant portion of their salary. This is because the basic living expenses in this European capital – 2,237 euros on average – account for only 40.2% of the average salary of 5,590 euros. Those who live in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, also live comfortably, as basic living expenses represent 40.6% of the average salary.

The list of most affordable European capitals for single people to live in – where the cost of living weighs less on their salary – continues with Brussels, Helsinki, and Copenhagen, the same study reveals.

There is, however, an opposite extreme in Europe: cities where the average income doesn't cover the most basic expenses. Warsaw (Poland), Tirana (Albania), Athens (Greece), Lisbon (Portugal), and Chisinau (Moldova) are the most difficult places to live alone, because the cost of living exceeds the salary.

In the Portuguese capital, basic monthly expenses for a single person are around 1,364 euros, but the average income is only 1,223 euros, not enough to cover them. According to this analysis, "the average salary is 141 euros lower, making it difficult to cover daily expenses without resorting to savings or additional income."

The most and least affordable European capitals

As a general rule, families of four (who earn two average salaries) live more comfortably in European capitals than single people. This is because basic expenses, although higher, end up being shared.

"Switzerland, Luxembourg, Finland, Norway, and Denmark are among the most family-friendly countries in Europe, thanks to their high wages and excellent public services," the study concludes. In Luxembourg, basic expenses account for less than a third of the average family salary. And in Bern, it accounts for around 34%. Furthermore, in both cities, the monthly surplus can reach thousands of euros.

At the bottom of this ranking are several capitals where even two salaries still make it difficult to cover monthly expenses. Warsaw is the least affordable city, with expenses exceeding salaries (102.1%). Also on this list are Tirana (96.9%), Athens (93.3%), Chisinau (85.9%), and Lisbon (83.3%).