These Are the 12 Best Cities in the World To Live According to Experts

Despite billionaires like Elon Musk and Richard Branson doing everything they can to leave the planet, the world is a pretty epic place to live. It truly has everything from vast natural landscapes dotted with rainforests and volcanoes to bustling cities and towns bursting with history and beauty.

However, some destinations are better places to live than others. While some places struggle with civil unrest, natural disasters, and high crime rates, others offer a safer, more enjoyable, and higher-quality life. To learn more, here are 12 of the best cities in the world to live in. We selected these entries based on the Global Liveability Index for 2024.

Table of Contents

Vienna, Austria

Let’s kickstart this list with Vienna, Austria’s breathtaking capital city. According to the Global Liveability Index for 2024, Vienna has been named the world’s most liveable city for the third consecutive year. Besides its apparent beauty, Vienna is renowned for its high quality of life, abundance of public services, and cultural richness.

With that said, why don’t you plan your visit to the city? In Vienna, you can enjoy strolls along the Danube River, explore the Museumsquartier, and get lost in Innere Stadt, the city’s Old Town. The high-end properties in Innere Stadt, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral demonstrate how luxurious Vienna is. If it was good enough for Beethoven and Freud, it’s good enough for us.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen came in second place on the Global Liveability Index in 2024. The Danish capital city ranks highly for safety and quality of life. Copenhagen is an extravagant city famed for its beautiful architecture, picturesque scenery, and modern luxuries. It’s also one of Europe’s most walkable cities, so you can do a lot in a short space of time.

If you lived in the city, you’d spend your free time tucking into ice cream at Nyhavn Waterfront, exploring the National Museum of Denmark, and strolling through the park at Kastellet. Of course, you don’t want to miss the world-famous Little Mermaid Statue, either. In the evening, head over to Reffen for an evening of entertainment and epic food.

Zurich, Switzerland

The cost of living in Zurich is exceptionally high at $3,380 a month, but with that cost comes many perks, including top-tier healthcare, high quality of life, high salaries, excellent infrastructure, and a fantastic atmosphere. Zurich is a fascinating city to explore, so you’ll never tire of exploring.

The Swiss capital is best known for its thriving financial district. However, tourists appreciate the city more for its impressive architecture, high-end boutique shops, natural scenery, and 5-star hotels. Popular things to do in the city include getting lost in Altstadt (Old Town), strolling along the Limmat River, visiting Grossmünster church, and exploring Lindenhof. Oh, and you can enjoy a luxury dining experience in one of many Michelin-starred restaurants.

Melbourne, Australia

Moving away from Europe and heading down under, Melbourne regularly ranks highly as one of Australia’s most liveable cities. In 2024, the Global Liveability Index ranked the city as Australia’s most liveable, beating the likes of Sydney and Adelaide to the crown. The city has world-class infrastructure, a high quality of life, a stable society, and excellent healthcare.

Conveniently, Melbourne also has many exciting things to see and do. It is a beautiful coastal city with breathtaking beaches, charming parks, and a lively city center brimming with activity. Make sure you stroll along the banks of the Yarra River, enjoy the atmosphere at Federation Square, explore the Southbank area, and kick back at St Kilda Beach.

Osaka, Japan

Osaka, Japan’s third most populous city and the capital of the Osaka prefecture, is Asia’s most liveable city. Famed for its diverse cuisine, rich cultural heritage, relaxed atmosphere, and exciting history, it ranks ninth on the Global Liveability Index for 2024. The city excels in education, healthcare, and quality of life.

Osaka’s combination of old-time charm and modern amenities is fascinating. One day, you’ll explore the city’s historic shrines and get lost in the winding streets. Next, you’ll enjoy the vibrance and energetic atmosphere of the city’s Dōtonbori district. Significant points of interest in Osaka include Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Taisha, and Kuromon Market.

Calgary, Canada

Calgary, a city in the Alberta province of southern Canada, is the fifth most liveable city in the world and the most liveable city in North America. It offers an exceptional quality of life and excels in multiple categories, including stability, education, and healthcare. The city also scores well in terms of public services and infrastructure.

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Regarding entertainment, Calgary has many exciting things to see and do. People move to the city to enjoy its natural beauty, rich culture, and endless opportunities for adventure. Calgary has something for everyone, from picturesque parks and fascinating museums to lively food markets and family-friendly attractions. Notable attractions include First Satree Market, Calgary Tower, Prince’s Island Park, and Calgary Zoo.

Vancouver, Canada

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Another Canadian city that makes the cut is Vancouver, the world’s seventh most liveable city. According to the Global Liveability Index, Vancouver excels in education and healthcare. Like Calgary, the city also has a high quality of life, making it a desirable destination for many people.

Located in British Columbia, Vancouver is a bustling west coast city surrounded by picturesque mountains perfect for hiking. Like most Canadian cities, Vancouver offers many things to see and do. When you’re not exploring the vibrant downtown area or having fun at Science World, enjoy relaxed strolls around Stanley Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden. The Vancouver Art Gallery is also well worth checking out.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The next city on our list is Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands. One of Europe’s most iconic tourist destinations, Amsterdam is renowned for its high quality of life, well-maintained green spaces, rich culture and history, and diversity. It’s also an incredibly beautiful city jam-packed with incredible sights and attractions.

You’ll never tire of seeing colorful, narrow houses, picture-perfect canals, unique landmarks, and historic buildings in the city. The best way to get around the city is by bicycle or boat. These forms of transport offer easy access to some of the city’s most fantastic attractions, such as the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, and the Van Gogh Museum.

Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand joins its neighbor Australia on our list with the addition of Wellington, the nation’s coastal capital city. Located near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait, this city features a charming waterfront promenade, pristine sandy beaches, a lively city center, and verdant hills.

When not strolling along the promenade or soaking up the sun on Oriental Bay Beach, take the Wellington Cable Car to Wellington Botanic Gardens and explore Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne wildlife refuge. Other noteworthy attractions include Wright Hill Fortress, Freyberg Beach, Mount Victoria, and Wellington Museum. Regarding the city’s quality of life, Wellington ranks highly for safety, education, healthcare, and pollution.

Helsinki, Finland

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is a gorgeous city known for its innovative arts scene, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Thanks to the Global Liveability Index, it’s also known for being one of the world’s best cities to live in. It has a high quality of life, low crime rates, world-class healthcare, and large open green spaces for residents to enjoy.

In fact, greenery encompasses 40% of Helsinki’s land surface area. Furthermore, the city’s heating system is one of the world’s most efficient. Thanks to the city’s compact size and spacious pathways, it’s also easy to explore. Must-see attractions in Helsinki include Helsinki Market Square, Kaivopuisto, and Helsinki Cathedral.

Geneva, Switzerland

Considering the high cost of living at $3,266 a month and the city’s reputation for luxury, it’s unsurprising to see Switzerland on this list for a second time. This time, we have Geneva. Geneva ranks highly for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. Its strong performance in these areas makes it appealing.

Geneva is a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts, as it sits at the tip of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), surrounded by the Jura and Alps mountains. You can even glimpse Mont Blanc. When not exploring the great outdoors, visit the city’s main sights. Don’t miss the Geneva Water Fountain, St. Pierre Cathedral, and Palais des Nations.

Frankfurt, Germany

The final European city on our list is Frankfurt, a central German city on the River Main famed for its modern financial district, traditional architecture, and beautiful scenery. In the city, you can spend your days off getting lost in the old town, indulging in traditional German food, strolling along the river, and admiring the city views from the Main Tower.

Frankfurt’s major points of interest include Römerberg, Städel Museum, Palmengarten Frankfurt, and Alte Oper. In addition to the wide range of things to see and do, Frankfurt is one of the world’s best places to live because it boasts a high quality of life, world-class healthcare, excellent education, and many job opportunities.