The World’s 10 Most Livable Cities in 2025 (#8 Will Surprise You)

After traveling to over 100 cities and spending months at a time living like a local in many of them, I’ve learned that what makes a city truly “livable” goes way beyond the usual stats. Sure, we need to talk about healthcare, education, and public transport. But it’s those little daily moments that really matter, like finding your favorite coffee spot that knows your order, or having a beautiful park within walking distance for your morning run.

I’ve dug deep into the latest global data while combining my own on-the-ground experience to create this ranking of the world’s most livable cities in 2025. I looked at everything from housing costs and job opportunities to green spaces and cultural diversity. But I also factored in those human elements that statistics can’t capture – like how safe women feel walking at night, or how easy it is to build a social circle as a newcomer. Trust me, some of the cities that made this list might surprise you.

Having visited 65 countries so far, I do not consider my list complete by any means. But it does offer a glimpse into some of the world’s most livable cities.

The most livable cities in the world at a glance

Explore the best cities for quality of life, balancing work, culture, and community. Click below to jump to each city’s details:

• Valencia, Spain – Affordable, sunny, and full of vibrant culture with stunning green spaces.
• Melbourne, Australia – A coffee lover’s paradise with top-notch public transport and a thriving arts scene.
• San Diego, California – Perfect weather year-round, strong job market, and a laid-back beach lifestyle.
• London, UK – A global powerhouse that blends history, modern amenities, and endless cultural experiences.
• Vienna, Austria – A city of music, history, and world-class public services with stunning green spaces.
• Tokyo, Japan – Impeccably clean, ultra-efficient, and home to one of the world’s best food scenes.
• Geneva, Switzerland – A peaceful, international hub with breathtaking alpine scenery and a high quality of life.
• Paris, France – A city designed for slow living, fantastic food, and walkable neighborhoods.
• Stockholm, Sweden – Unparalleled work-life balance, beautiful waterfronts, and an innovative startup culture.
• Copenhagen, Denmark – The epitome of urban sustainability, cycling culture, and hygge-filled neighborhoods.

➡ Discovering YOUR livable city – How to find the perfect place for your lifestyle.

1. Valencia, Spain

Known as the city of arts and sciences (and beach), Valencia has cemented itself as one of the world’s most livable and ultra-fit cities. La Turia, Valencia’s majestic park that runs from the beach to the outskirts of the city, is comprised of an array of bike paths, playgrounds, and exercise equipment.

Within this impressive park also lies the largest aquarium in all of Europe, containing cutting-edge exhibits including a museum of science, planetarium, and oceanographic park! Contrary to its northern neighbor Barcelona, Valencia is not too touristy, and emits the charm of a small Spanish town. Once you try the paella valenciana, there is no way you’ll want to live anywhere else!

2. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne has topped livable city rankings so many times it’s almost laughable. But after spending several months there, I totally get why. Picture this… you start your morning with literally the best coffee scene on earth (I’m not even exaggerating – the flat whites here have ruined all other coffee for me). Then hop on a free tram through the city center to explore hidden laneways splashed with world-class street art.

What really got me though was how the city just flows. The mix of historic Victorian architecture and modern design actually works, public transport runs like clockwork, and every neighborhood feels like its own little village. You’ve got pristine beaches 20 minutes from downtown, endless parks and gardens, and this incredible food scene where you can feast on Vietnamese for lunch and Greek for dinner (thanks to Melbourne’s massive multicultural community). Plus, the healthcare and education systems are top-notch, and the laid-back Aussie vibe makes even working days feel a bit like vacation.

3. San Diego, California

San Diego is the epitome of a diverse and dynamic American city. Surrounded by mountains, cityscape, parks, and beach, San Diego has something special to offer all walks of life. Consistently between 65–80 degrees year-round, San Diego is the perfect place for enjoying the outdoors.

Business and real-estate are booming, making this city a hotspot for growth and innovation. San Diego’s reputation as a trendy oceanfront haven is seamlessly embodied in its restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Catching the sunset while biking along Pacific Beach is enough of a reason to stick around!

4. London, UK

London somehow manages to feel like both the center of the universe and your own cozy neighborhood. And this is exactly what makes it so livable! One minute you’re catching a world-class play in the West End or exploring a cutting-edge art exhibition at the Tate Modern (for free!), and the next you’re sharing a pint with locals at your corner pub that’s been there since Shakespeare’s time.

What really makes London work is how it’s actually dozens of villages stitched together, each with its own personality. You can live in leafy Hampstead with its wild heath and literary history, multicultural Brixton with its epic food markets, or creative Hackney with its converted warehouses and canal-side cafes. The Tube and buses run 24/7 now, you can get anywhere by bike along the new cycling superhighways, and every neighborhood has its own green spaces. Sure, it’s expensive. But the mix of job opportunities, cultural diversity, and endless things to do makes it worth every penny.

5. Vienna, Austria

Renowned for its unique culture, history, and cuisine, Vienna is a picture-perfect hub in Central Europe. Vienna’s pristine palaces and parks will mesmerize you, and so will its Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlets).

As the site of several historic accords and peace treaties, Vienna is a cultural and economic center of Europe. Although Vienna is a major city with 1.8 million people, greenways and parks comprise over half of the city. The quaint street cars and architecture will dazzle you, the immaculate greenways and churches will inspire you, and the delectable food options will always leave you hungry for more!

6. Tokyo, Japan

Despite being the world’s largest city, Tokyo somehow makes daily life feel effortless. Picture stepping out of your apartment to find the cleanest streets you’ve ever seen, catching a train that arrives literally to the second, and never worrying about walking home late at night (I’ve seen people leave their laptops unattended in cafes here – wild!).

What really blows my mind is how Tokyo balances extremes. You can live in a peaceful residential area like Nakameguro, where locals tend tiny gardens along a cherry blossom-lined canal, yet be just minutes from the neon buzz of Shibuya. The food scene is unreal – from 7-Eleven snacks that are better than most restaurants back home to Michelin-starred ramen for $10. Healthcare is incredibly affordable, the subway system is a marvel of efficiency, and there’s this amazing sense of order and respect that makes a city of 37 million people feel somehow calm. Sure, the language barrier exists, but the city’s incredible safety, cleanliness, and convenience make up for any cultural challenges.

7. Geneva, Switzerland

As the de facto capital of peace and diplomacy in the world, Geneva is truly a sight for sore eyes. Geneva is home to many of the world’s most prominent international organizations, including the UN and World Trade Organization. Its clean alpine air and close proximity to the ski slopes make Geneva, Switzerland an idyllic place to call home.

Geneva is also one of Europe’s top financial centers, and leads the charge on global sustainability. As I gazed in awe at the serene sunset over Lake Geneva, I was surrounded by hordes of mosquitoes, and even they, too, were peaceful.

8. Paris, France

You know what’s wild about Paris? It’s still the most perfectly designed city for actually living life well. Sure, everyone talks about the Eiffel Tower and fancy restaurants, but the real magic happens in daily life – like grabbing a still-warm baguette from your local boulangerie or having five different farmers markets within walking distance of your apartment.

The city gets the big stuff right – healthcare that won’t bankrupt you, clean and efficient public transport, and fantastic schools. But it’s the small stuff that makes Paris sing. Every neighborhood feels like its own movie set, with its local cafe where the owner knows your name, hidden garden squares where kids play after school, and markets where you can buy fresh flowers and cheese that’ll change your life. And forget needing a car. Between the metro, buses, bikes, and those wide sidewalks perfect for strolling, you can get anywhere while actually enjoying the journey. Yes, Parisians can be direct (okay, sometimes rude). But there’s a reason people have been calling this city livable for centuries – it just works.

9. Stockholm, Sweden

Considered by many as the capital of Scandinavia, Stockholm is a cultural, political, and economic hub in Northern Europe. Stockholm is treasured for its natural serenity, thanks to the Stockholm archipelago and its boating, fishing, biking, and hiking options.

Stockholm also has a reputation for its work-life balance, with workers averaging over 40 paid vacation days each year. Stockholm’s start-up scene has lent itself to some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Ikea, Spotify, and Skype. Stockholm’s vibrant architecture, picturesque landscape, and delicious meatballs rightfully make it one of the world’s most livable cities!

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Living in Copenhagen feels like someone designed a city by actually asking people what they want. Imagine biking everywhere on dedicated lanes so safe that parents let their kids cycle to school solo. Or, finishing work at 4 PM because Danes actually believe in life-work balance (not a typo – they put life first).

This city nails the essentials – killer healthcare, free education through university, and public transport that runs like a dream. But what really sets Copenhagen apart is how it prioritizes quality of life. Every neighborhood has its own personality, from the colorful harbor houses of Nyhavn to the hip cafes of Vesterbro. But they all share those cozy touches that make the Danes the happiest people on Earth. Think harbor swimming pools for summer dips, green spaces everywhere, and streets designed for people, not cars.

Even the brutal winters feel manageable when every cafe and bar masters that warm, candlelit hygge vibe. Sure, it’s expensive, but with some of the world’s highest salaries and shortest working hours, most locals would say it’s worth every krone.

Discovering YOUR livable city

Happiness is heavily influenced by our environment. Whether that entails having a meaningful career or a desirable lifestyle, happiness can be achieved through your own mindset and decisions. My study abroad experience, in particular, helped shape my outlook on life and future aspirations. Through living in a place much different from my home, I had the opportunity to grow and appreciate a unique way of life.

Unless you already wake up every morning thinking your current residence is ‘heaven on Earth’, I encourage you to try living in a new place – even for just a short period of time. In your quest to discover the most livable city on Earth, you will learn a lot about who you are, and what you value in life.

To follow my journey through Europe and around the world, feel free to connect with me on Instagram: @Global.Viewpoint!

Happy Travels! -Jon