Let’s explore the Top 20 Most Livable Cities in the World in 2025, what makes them shine and who might thrive there.
Table of Contents
1. Vienna, Austria
Ranking: #1 – Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
Why it’s livable: Vienna has perfected the art of livability, blending imperial history with hyper-modern infrastructure. Think clean streets, low crime, outstanding healthcare, and efficient public transport.
Daily life: You’ll sip coffee in 18th-century cafes and attend free classical concerts in the park. Life moves at a thoughtful pace here.
Standout features: Affordable housing (for Europe), green spaces, culture on every corner.
Ideal for: Families, artists, retirees, EU professionals.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Ranking: Top 5 – EIU & Monocle Livability Index
Why it’s livable: Safe, sustainable, and oh-so-stylish. Copenhagen scores high for cycling infrastructure, healthcare, and social equality.
Daily life: Commute by bike, shop local, and unwind in cozy hygge cafes.
Standout features: One of the world’s greenest cities, world-class design scene, and work-life balance that’s not just a buzzword.
Ideal for: Digital nomads, eco-conscious families, young professionals.
3. Zurich, Switzerland
Ranking: #2 – Mercer Quality of Living
Why it’s livable: A financial powerhouse with the heart of a mountain village. It’s ultra-safe, clean, and offers excellent public services.
Daily life: A workday could start with a lake swim and end with fondue in a hillside chalet.
Standout features: High salaries, stunning natural surroundings, multi-lingual environment.
Ideal for: Bankers, expats, outdoorsy professionals.
4. Melbourne, Australia
Ranking: Top 10 – EIU
Why it’s livable: Melbourne blends cosmopolitan life with beach town chill. It’s diverse, artsy, and ridiculously livable.
Daily life: Street art, laneway cafes, tram rides, cricket matches, and seaside sunsets.
Standout features: World-class universities, healthcare, vibrant music scene.
Ideal for: Students, creatives, entrepreneurs.
5. Calgary, Canada
Ranking: Top 10 – EIU
Personal Note: I live in Calgary, and I can absolutely vouch for it.
Why it’s livable: Affordable (by Canadian standards), safe, and close to the Rockies. It’s got a strong economy and a friendly, entrepreneurial vibe.
Daily life: Clean air, community events, and weekend mountain escapes.
Standout features: Low taxes, excellent healthcare, multicultural population.
Ideal for: Families, professionals, outdoor lovers.
Planning a Canadian adventure? Make sure to check out my Calgary blog—where vibrant city life meets epic outdoor escapes!
6. Geneva, Switzerland
Ranking: Top 10 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: A diplomatic capital with serene lakeside views. Geneva blends Swiss efficiency with French flair.
Daily life: Multilingual meetings by day, wine by the lake at sunset.
Standout features: Home to the UN, top-notch public services, high safety.
Ideal for: Diplomats, healthcare professionals, multilingual expats.
7. Sydney, Australia
Ranking: Top 15 – EIU
Why it’s livable: Glorious beaches, great weather, and cosmopolitan living. It’s pricey, but for many, it’s worth it.
Daily life: Surf in the morning, work in a skyscraper, chill in wine bars by night.
Standout features: Nature meets city, great transit, diversity.
Ideal for: Expats, tech workers, digital nomads.
8. Vancouver, Canada
Ranking: Top 5 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: A nature lover’s dream with a cosmopolitan core. It’s safe, progressive, and beautifully diverse.
Daily life: Hike before lunch, sushi for dinner, city lights and mountain views always.
Standout features: Mild climate, clean air, strong public transit.
Ideal for: Families, creatives, remote workers.
9. Osaka, Japan
Ranking: Top 10 – EIU
Why it’s livable: Affordable compared to Tokyo, with excellent transport, healthcare, and insanely good food.
Daily life: Street food alleys, cherry blossoms, polite crowds.
Standout features: Low crime, efficient city services, vibrant local culture.
Ideal for: Expats, foodies, English teachers.
10. Auckland, New Zealand
Ranking: #1 in Global Liveability Index (2021), still top-tier in 2025
Why it’s livable: Balanced lifestyle, gorgeous landscapes, and inclusive communities.
Daily life: Outdoor living, friendly neighbors, low-key weekends at the beach.
Standout features: Earthquake-proof buildings, diverse neighborhoods.
Ideal for: Families, remote workers, nature lovers.
11. Toronto, Canada
Ranking: Top 20 – EIU
Why it’s livable: Canada’s biggest city is culturally rich and constantly evolving. Great transit and healthcare systems.
Daily life: Festivals, parks, food from every corner of the globe.
Standout features: Diversity, urban amenities, safety.
Ideal for: Professionals, students, multicultural families.
12. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ranking: Top 15 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: Bicycle heaven meets international innovation hub. High English proficiency and progressive culture.
Daily life: Biking through canals, indie bookstores, tech startups and stroopwafels.
Standout features: Great education, efficient governance, green spaces.
Ideal for: Young professionals, techies, creatives.
13. Frankfurt, Germany
Ranking: Top 15 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: Finance meets livability in this clean, compact city with a global outlook.
Daily life: Multilingual workspaces, great transport, riverside walks.
Standout features: Public health system, strong job market, safety.
Ideal for: Expats, bankers, international students.
14. Basel, Switzerland
Ranking: Top 10 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: Clean, compact, and charming. Excellent healthcare, public services, and quality of life.
Daily life: River swimming, art museums, weekend trips to France or Germany.
Standout features: Tri-border location, peaceful atmosphere.
Ideal for: Scientists, retirees, couples.
15. Berlin, Germany
Ranking: Top 20 – Monocle Livability Survey
Why it’s livable: Cool, creative, and surprisingly affordable. A cultural melting pot with a rebellious soul.
Daily life: Museums by day, techno clubs by night, great transit always.
Standout features: Startup ecosystem, historic charm, diversity.
Ideal for: Artists, students, entrepreneurs.
16. Munich, Germany
Ranking: Top 10 – Mercer
Why it’s livable: Germany’s most polished city. Safe, structured, and seriously beautiful.
Daily life: Beer gardens, weekend Alps hikes, clean and quiet neighborhoods.
Standout features: High salaries, excellent transport, quality healthcare.
Ideal for: Professionals, engineers, families.
17. Helsinki, Finland
Ranking: Top 10 – World Happiness Report
Why it’s livable: Education-focused, egalitarian, and digitally advanced.
Daily life: Saunas, sea views, coffee shops, and minimalistic design.
Standout features: Innovation, public schooling, clean air.
Ideal for: Remote workers, families, creatives.
18. London, UK
Ranking: Top 30 – Global City Rankings
Why it’s livable: While expensive, London remains a global leader in culture, education, and opportunity.
Daily life: Pubs, parks, underground commutes, constant cultural events.
Standout features: Diversity, museums, global job market.
Ideal for: Young professionals, creatives, finance and legal experts.
19. New York City, USA
Ranking: Top 30 – Global Livability Reports
Why it’s livable: Chaotic, yes, but incredibly alive. If you thrive in motion, NYC is magnetic.
Daily life: Subways, street food, skyscraper views, endless entertainment.
Standout features: Top universities, cultural richness, economic power.
Ideal for: Entrepreneurs, performers, dream-chasers.
20. Oslo, Norway
Ranking: Top 20 – Monocle Quality of Life Index
Why it’s livable: Eco-friendly, safe, and calm. High salaries and gorgeous fjord views.
Daily life: Outdoor sports, quiet nights, universal healthcare.
Standout features: Low crime, gender equality, renewable energy.
Ideal for: Families, professionals, digital nomads.
🧳 Best Places to Relocate, Work Remotely, or Retire
Whether you’re dreaming of sipping espresso by the Danube, working remotely from a sleek Scandi flat, or retiring near the Alps, these cities offer more than just a nice view, they offer a better life.
🧠 Smart Travel = Smart Living: How to Choose Your Next Home Base
- Check Visa Rules: Many of these cities offer digital nomad or long-term residency visas.
- Try Before You Move: Spend 1–3 months living there before making the leap.
- Budget Smartly: Factor in rent, healthcare, taxes, and daily expenses.
- Community Counts: Join expat or local Facebook groups and forums.
- Language Learning: A little goes a long way, even in English-friendly places.
📢 Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Whether you’re planning a big move or just dreaming from your desk, the cities on this list prove that you don’t have to settle for “just okay.” The world is full of places where life is cleaner, calmer, and more inspiring.
Which city is your dream home?
Comment below, share your current city and why you love it, or vote for the one you think should top the list!
✨ Want more guides like this? Subscribe for lifestyle upgrades, remote work hacks, and travel inspiration straight from the world’s most livable places.
Discover more from Voyagenic
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
