The 20 Best Cities to Live in the World

Looking for a new place to plant your roots? The best cities to live in the world offer culture, cuisine and comfort when you're ready to take the plunge.

July 06, 2021

By: Joe Sills

Shop This Look

Photo By: MIKKEL SCHEBYE JOHNSEN/Copenhagen Media Center

Photo By: Shutterstock

©Shutterstock

Photo By: Shutterstock

The Right City for You

What's on your checklist for a liveable city? We scoured the World Happiness Report — a joint project from Oxford University and the London School of Economics — to spotlight world cities with the best blends of employment, education and entertainment opportunities. We then weighted those cities heavily for safety and density before sprinkling in firsthand travel experiences from around the globe to find the 20 best cities to live in the world.

Osaka, Japan

Osaka Castle has loomed over Japan’s second city for more than 400 years. Beneath its striking eves, a creative hive of artists, writers and musicians indulge in the city’s famous cuisine and nightlife. Osaka’s central location within Japan makes it one of the best jumping off points for adventures around the country, while its blend of storied cultural history and modern amenities mean you’ll never be short of sights to see in your own backyard.

Helsinki, Finland

This mid-sized, modern city on the Baltic Sea is packed with art galleries, coffee shops and stunning, neoclassical architecture perfect for long walks and wandering. Thanks to a robust public transit system, you’re only ever a short train ride back home. Free higher education and virtually free healthcare help to offset a high cost of living.

San Diego, California

Explore rocky coves and pristine Pacific beaches in San Diego. California's southermost major city is home to upscale, Spanish Colonial housing, one of America's best LGBTQ communities and some of the best schools in the country. Those amenities, combined with an energetic economy and plethora of family-friendly theme parks make San Diego a perfect destination for a home in the warm California sun.

Also See: The 20 Best Beaches in California

Bergen, Norway

Snack on fish cakes and cinnamon buns while exploring the art museums, aquariums and colorful neighborhoods of Bergen. This colorful city is the second largest in Norway, and an appealing destination for expats looking for a home in the Land of the Midnight Sun. With just 300,000 neighbors, you’ll have plenty of room to spread out amidst the fjords and mountains on your doorstep.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Always warm, life in Hawaii’s largest city can be laid back and family-focused. Though its cost of living is on par with New York and San Francisco, millions of visitors fuel a tourism industry that is brimming with jobs to help cover the costs. Thankfully, Honolulu is also overflowing with perfect places to relax — like Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.

Also See: The 10 Most Glamorous Cities in America

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is home to an estimated 140 spoken languages, breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and the commercial hub of Canada. This global city has become a hub for science, clean energy and tech jobs that fuel a high cost of a living with equally high salaries. A growing cycling culture and public transportation system means many residents can also forgo a car — a rarity in many North American cities.

Brisbane, Australia

Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in Brisbane. The bustling epicenter of Queensland offers world-class rock climbing, surfing and bountiful beaches within a short drive. Expect plenty of time to explore all Brisbane has to offer, too, as a stunning 250 days of sunshine each year provide opportunities for adventure every week. Living arrangements range from pricey coastal condos to affordable, quaint neighborhoods in the suburbs.

Stockholm, Sweden

One-third water, one-third green space and one-third architecture, Stockholm is a glistening city of silver waves and stone façades. Sweden’s non-hierarchical society makes starting over in Stockholm an intriguing option for expats from around the globe. Residents enjoy low entry fees to galleries, museums and concerts year-round; while summer beer gardens and ice cream stands give way to skating rinks during Scandinavia’s long winters.

Austin, Texas

An “it” city for the last 20 years, Austin has long since escaped the shadow of its larger neighbors in Dallas and Houston. One of America’s true music cities may be losing the funky blend of honky tonk and hippy culture that fueled its rise to prominence, but a booming tech industry, an abundance of outdoor activities and a cost of living that remains lower than many coastal destinations still make the music capital of Texas a rare breed of town with a powerful draw.

Also See: America's Top 20 Healthiest Cities

Auckland, New Zealand

If work-life balance is your thing, Auckland is the place to be. New Zealand’s largest city offers hiking, surfing and swimming by the boatload. Take in a commanding view of the city from the hills above, before heading home to a hive of flavor and fun. World-class seafood, cheeses and wines mean you’re only ever a short stroll from fantastic food, while a thriving performing arts scene will keep you entertained.

Tel Aviv, Israel

One of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East and Africa, Tel Aviv has become a popular destination for expats thanks to a mild climate and stunning beaches. The beach and nightlife scenes here truly are among the best in the world. That, combined with affordable healthcare, a vibrant startup scene and an informal culture add to the attraction for newcomers.

Wellington, New Zealand

Nature lovers will thrive in Wellington. Snow-capped mountaintops, lush flowers and foliage and 360-degree views of gin-clear waterways make compact Wellington one of the most picturesque cities in the world. The natural lifestyle extends to more than just Wellington’s cityscape, though, as organic foods and an eco-friendly lifestyle are focal points of the city’s culture.

Sydney, Australia

People from all over the world flock to Sydney for a reason. The culture of Australia's most famous city is typically tolerant and diverse, lending itself to mixing the best culinary ingredients, sounds and business ideas from nations around the globe. Here, residents enjoy an endless parade of artisan bars and cafes. And few natural landscapes rival those of Sydney Harbour and its nearby coast.

Also See: The 50 Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Copenhagen, Denmark

Cosmopolitan, walkable and defined by intriguing back alleys and canals, Copenhagen is the perfect city for those who like to wander. At twilight, the former home of fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen comes to life with cafes, pubs, amusement parks and a thriving art scene that is among the most lively in Scandinavia. Plentiful parks and even a "free city" within the city mean daytime strolls will be just as exciting.

Zurich, Switzerland

Sailing, cycling, rock climbing and mountain hikes are at your doorstep in Zurich. While this state-of-the-art city is perennially one of the world’s most expensive places to live, that price comes with easy access to the rest of Europe while living in one of the most modern cities on the continent. Expats will have a plenty of company, too, as 40% of Zurich's population is not from Switzerland.

Kyoto, Japan

Spiritualists gravitate to the soulful streets of Kyoto. Known as a greener and less expensive city than nearby Osaka, Kyoto is home to some of Japan’s most splendid temples and shrines, where residents can bask in the glow of golden Buddhist temples or marvel at seemingly endless rows of vermillion Shinto gates. Like Osaka, Kyoto’s central location makes it an excellent base for expats searching for easy access to the rest of Japan.

Dallas, Texas

Affluent, accessible and ever-growing, Dallas is the hub of a sprawling metroplex and an increasingly cosmopolitan city. Like nearby Austin, Dallas offers culture — like arts, sports and cuisine — at a price significantly less than that of peer cities like San Francisco, New York or Los Angeles. The area consistently attracts investors searching for a mild climate and a place to watch their real estate values rise while enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Microbreweries, cocktail lounges and night clubs abound in Reykjavik, a city carved into a storybook landscape amidst volcanoes and glaciers. That combination of nightlife and nature has made Reykjavik one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet in the last decade; however, the city boasts a high quality of life that is attracting new long-term residents. Clean living, high salaries and public hot tubs in nearly every corner of the city add to its allure.

Charleston, South Carolina

Not quite a major city and not quite a small town, Charleston is a hotbed of American cuisine where new takes on traditional ingredients blend with modern palates. Mild winters keep this coastal city with country vibes relatively warm year-round, while a low cost of living lures business owners and transplants from larger metropolitan areas nationwide. Easy access to the Atlantic Ocean provides ample opportunity for outdoor adventures like sailing, fishing and kitesurfing.

Also See: 30+ Best Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina

Perth, Australia

Seemingly perched on the edge of the world, Perth stands tall over Western Australia. This sprawling metropolis is notoriously pricey, but that price accompanies flip-flop weather and access to some of the planet’s best beaches for most of the year. Perth is home to a world-class street art scene, a typically booming concert scene and — thanks to its sprawl — one of the lowest population densities of any major city in the world.

We Recommend

The 50 Best Cities to Live in the US 51 Photos

20 Best Small Towns to Retire 21 Photos

The 20 Best Suburbs Across the Country for People Tired of City Living 21 Photos

500 Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Cannot serve request to /content/hgtv-com/en/lifestyle/travel/photo-galleries/2021/june/best-cities-to-live-in-the-world.html on this server

ApacheSling/2.7 (jetty/9.4.42.v20210604, Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 1.8.0_271, Linux 4.14.203-156.332.amzn2.x86_64 amd64)