City IdleCasual · Adventure
How to play City Idle
City Idle is a relaxed city builder with an idle twist. You start with a town hall and a small square of land. Tap an empty tile to build a cottage, a farm or a sawmill, then tap a cottage to collect the taxes its residents have paid. Spend the coins on more buildings and on upgrades, and watch the little town fill up.
Where you put things matters. A market or a park next to a cottage raises its taxes, a market also sells the harvest of the farms beside it, and a sawmill next to forest tiles makes much more wood. Farms must feed your residents, or they pay less and stop moving in. Wood pays for bigger buildings: markets, parks, apartments and banks.
As your population grows, the city climbs from Hamlet to Village, Town, City and Metropolis. Every rank unlocks new buildings and new land. The town hall collects taxes for you once it is upgraded, golden coins pop up now and then for a bonus, and an optional video doubles your income for three minutes. Reach Metropolis and you can found a new city with permanent star bonuses. Your city is saved on your device and earns while you are away.
Controls
Mouse: pick a building, click an empty tile to build, click a building to collect and upgrade. Keys: arrows move, Enter builds, 1-7 pick a building, U upgrade, C collect all, Esc menu.
Tap a building button, then tap an empty tile to build. Tap a building to collect its taxes, then use the Upgrade button. Tap the golden coin when it appears.
FAQ
How do I make more money?
Build cottages and fill them with residents, collect their taxes by tapping the cottages, and place markets and parks next to them for bonuses. Upgrade buildings and the town hall, which collects taxes by itself from level 2.
Why do my residents pay less tax?
They are hungry. Residents eat food, which only farms make. Build or upgrade a farm until the food counter is no longer red.
What happens while I am away?
Your city earns at half speed for up to two hours. When you come back you can collect it, or watch an optional video to double it.
What does founding a new city do?
Once you reach the Metropolis rank you can start a fresh island. You keep stars, and every star permanently adds 10 percent to all income.
Is City Idle free?
Yes. It is free to play in your browser, with no download and no account.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. It runs on phones, tablets and computers. Tap a building button, then tap an empty tile to build. Tap a building to collect its taxes, then use the Upgrade button. Tap the golden coin when it appears.