Lowest average tap water prices worldwide 2021, by select city

Of the selected cities shown, many of the lowest drinking water prices are in Asia. Mumbai, India had the lowest average tap water price in 2021, at just 7.02 U.S. dollars per 100 cubic meters. The capital city of the Indian state of Karnataka, Bangalore had the second lowest water price, where 100 cubic meters of drinking water cost 8.83 U.S. dollars. The city of Miami in the US American state of Florida has one of the lowest tap water prices outside Asia at 50.64 U.S. dollars per 100 cubic meters.

Most expensive water prices

The price of water varies around the world, with some of the highest found in Europe. For example, in Oslo, Norway, citizens pay an average of 478 U.S. dollars per 100 cubic meters. In the United States, cities with high levels of water stress – such as Los Angeles and San Diego – also pay high prices for tap water. The cost of water in many U.S. cities has been increasing in recent years, with water bills in San Diego having increased by 531 U.S. dollars between 2010 and 2018.

Water consumption

Globally, per capita water withdrawals are highest in the U.S., with the average American withdrawing 1,207 cubic meters of water a year. This is roughly twice the per capita withdrawals in Japan, and four times more than in Germany.