The 10 Worst Cities To Live in the World, Ranked According to Expats

The worst cities to live in the world, such as Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, may surprise you with the challenges they pose for expats. According to the latest Internations report, these urban centers highlight the struggles of living in certain global destinations based on factors like safety, healthcare, and quality of life.

The Internations report ranks cities based on the Quality of Life Index, which evaluates five subcategories: Environment & Climate, Healthcare, Safety & Security, Leisure Options, and Travel & Transit. Each subcategory includes factors such as air quality, medical care, personal safety, cultural activities, and transportation accessibility.

Expats rated these factors on a scale of one to seven, with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction. The 2024 ranking analyzed 53 cities with at least 50 respondents each to provide a comprehensive view.

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10 Worst Cities To Live in the World, Ranked According to Expats_Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1/5

10 Worst Cities To Live in the World, Ranked According to Expats_Toronto, Canada_Nathan Phillips square

Toronto, Canada 2/5

10 Worst Cities To Live in the World, Ranked According to Expats_Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy 3/5

15 Best Budget-Friendly European Cities for Cost-Conscious Travelers

Budapest, Hungary 4/5

10 Worst Cities To Live in the World, Ranked According to Expats_New York City, USA_Manhattan

NYC, USA 5/5

Results

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

40 148

Toronto, Canada

63 125

Rome, Italy

68 120

Budapest, Hungary

53 135

NYC, USA

56 132

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Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, once celebrated as the jewel of Central Europe, now ranks as the 44th worst city to live in, according to expats—a stark contrast to its appeal as a travel hotspot. Hungary also ranks as one of the worst countries for living abroad, according to expats, and its cosmopolitan capital continues that trend.

The city ranks 44th for quality of life, down from 37th last year. It ranks 51st for healthcare, 44th for safety and security, and 50th for environment and climate. For travel and transit, it comes in 18th.

The decline is due to several factors, mainly a lack of economic development. The quality of healthcare and funding for green spaces have also declined significantly. Despite the low rankings, Budapest remains one of Central Europe’s most popular destinations for travelers.

New York City, USA

New York City ranks as the ninth worst city for expats to reside in. Rental and property prices have skyrocketed with rents growing seven times faster than wages, safety concerns remain high, and food prices are some of the costliest in North America, making it hard to enjoy going out.

The city ranks 50th for healthcare, 45th for environment and climate, and 48th for safety and security. Thanks to its extensive subway, taxi, and ride-share system, it comes in 36th for travel and transit.

For leisure options, New York sits comfortably at seventh in the world, with its world-class museums, swanky bars, and famous parks ranking high for expats. If its other factors improve, the Big Apple will rise once again in the eyes of expats.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the worst places to live for expats. Thanks to several factors, it ranks 46th on the list.

The city was 49th for travel and transit, 48th for healthcare with 20% of Canadians having no family doctor, and 35th for safety and security. It came in 29th for environment and climate and 35th for leisure options. With congested roads, poor healthcare options, and crime, many expats prefer to live elsewhere.

Thanks to its parks and green initiatives, the city has the highest score for environment and climate. However, when it comes to leisure activities, it ranks in the middle. The lack of fun things to do, combined with other problems, helped put the city at the bottom.

Rome, Italy

Rome is the 47th worst city for expats to live. Italy’s historical capital may be full of exciting museums and ruins, but it’s not very livable, according to the report. From slow public transport to crime, this European capital doesn’t cut it for quality of life.

It ranks 47th for safety and security, thanks to high crime rates and worries of pickpocketing. It ranks 50th for travel and transit because of long wait times and a lack of metro lines.

The city ranks 36th for environment and climate. Healthcare pushed the city’s ranking a little higher, to 38th. It scores higher for leisure activities, coming in 25th.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s bustling capital. Although it is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations, it ranks 48th, largely due to low crime and pollution scores.

It ranks 52nd for safety and security. Many expats don’t feel safe living in the city due to petty crime and traffic accidents. For environment and climate, it ranks 46th.

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It ranks 26th for leisure options, thanks to its parks, restaurants, and activities. For travel and transit, it ranks 38th. The city has a modern and efficient public transit system, but traffic is still a major concern.

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is another Canadian city that ranks at the bottom of the list. Many expats worry about healthcare quality, and safety remains a concern. The city ranks 49th on the list and is the lowest-ranking city in North America.

Vancouver ranks 52nd for healthcare and 48th for travel and transit, just behind Toronto. The low scores reflect the city’s long wait times and poor healthcare quality, which includes physician shortages, extended surgical waitlists, and emergency department shutdowns. Its transit system also needs major renovations and improvements.

The city ranks 50th for leisure options. With its access to beautiful parks and natural areas, the city can greatly improve this score. Expats also feel unsafe, so they rank the city 40th for safety and security.

Milan, Italy

Milan is Italy’s second city to make the list of worst cities for expats. This stylish city is home to many sights, museums, and cultural activities, but it ranks 51st.

It ranks 52nd for environment and climate. Pollution, traffic congestion, and a lack of green spaces are all factors in the decision, although Milan takes measures to improve the air quality. It also ranks 50th for safety and security, far down on the list due to political unrest.

It ranks 32nd for leisure options. There’s plenty to do thanks to its world-renowned restaurants, museums, cafes, and bars. It’s also close to natural wonders and some of Italy’s most famous wine regions, such as Piedmont.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and largest city. Recently, major political issues have helped put it at the bottom of the list. This city has much to improve, from crime and insecurity to pollution.

The city ranks last for travel and transit. With a poor public transit system and famously congested highways, expats find it hard to get around safely. It ranks 51st for safety and security but 24th for environment and climate, thanks to its climate and weather.

Nairobi ranks 14th for leisure activities. The city is close to some of Africa’s most impressive natural wonders, has world-famous museums, and has a booming food scene.

Dublin, Ireland

12 European Cities With the Most Stunning Architecture — © tilialucida / Adobe Stock

Dublin is in last place. The capital of Ireland scored low on several rankings. For expats, the city offers little incentive to call it home.

The city ranks last for healthcare, which was low for availability and affordability, and 47th for leisure options. Thanks to its poor infrastructure and affordability, Dublin ranks 52nd for travel and transit.

The Irish capital ranks 27th for environment and climate. Its parks, clean air, and access to green spaces outside the city are pluses for expats. It ranks eighth for freedom of expression, giving the city a small glimmer of home.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is Turkey’s popular capital, and although it’s a major tourist destination, many expats rank it 50th.

The city ranks 53rd for safety and security. Worries of petty theft, nearby earthquakes, and political demonstrations make it feel less safe. It ranks 44th for leisure activities and environment and climate.

It ranks middle of the list for travel, transit, and healthcare. Aside from high traffic on its highways, it has a decent public transportation system. Many expats are satisfied with the city’s healthcare system, which is underfunded and stretched beyond its capacity, according to Allianz.