Expat Insider - The World Through Expat Eyes

Expat Insider 2024
Best Cities for Expats

Expat Insider 2024

Discover the Best & Worst Cities for Expats in 2024

We’ve asked over 12,500 expats about their life abroad. From the quality of life to personal finances, find out which cities offer you the best experience.

1 | Valencia
2 | Málaga
3 | Alicante
53 | Vancouver
52 | Hamburg
51 | Toronto
Trends in the Top 10
Trends in the Bottom 10
The Biggest Winners in 2024
The Biggest Losers in 2024
Further Reading
External References

Disclaimer: Data for the Expat City Ranking was collected in February 2024 prior to the floods in some regions of Spain that occurred in October and November. It therefore does not reflect the impact of these catastrophic events.

1 | Valencia

After a minor slip to 3rd place in 2023, Valencia returns to 2022 form by regaining 1st place in the 2024 Expat City Ranking. It also ranks 1st in the Quality of Life and Personal Finance Indices.

No respondent in Valencia (0%) had anything negative to say about the affordability of public transportation (vs. 15% globally), opportunities for recreational sport (vs. 11%), or their personal safety (vs. 8%). In fact, more than nine in ten expats rated these factors favorably, up to 96% for public transportation costs (vs. 70%). More than three in four expats (77%) are also satisfied with the general cost of living (vs. 40% globally) and their financial situation (vs. 54%).

Valencia’s drawback is in Working Abroad (31st) — but this is already an improvement from the bottom 10 in 2022 (41st). Expats aren’t impressed by the local job market (46% negative responses vs. 31% globally) or their improved career prospects upon relocating (38% negative responses vs. 21%). Nevertheless, they feel that they’re paid fairly for their work (1st) and enjoy their work–life balance (3rd).

Working abroad isn’t what drew expats to Valencia anyway: only 8% of respondents cite job-related reasons (vs. 35% globally). The main deciding factor was a better quality of life (27% vs. 9%).

2 | Málaga

Málaga ranks 2nd overall in 2024, passing its 1st place crown from 2023 back to Valencia. The city features the happiest expats (1st), in part due to a smooth Ease of Settling In (1st). Not only do the majority of respondents agree they have a personal support network there (1st) and are happy with their social life (1st), they also feel both welcome (1st) and at home (1st) in Málaga.

However lively the social life, the Working Abroad Index (44th) indicates serious career challenges, especially considering that the city ranked 13th in the 2023 index. All four subcategories of the index worsened in performance, from Work & Leisure (9th) losing its 1st place to Career Prospects (51st) slipping to the bottom 3 from the 36th spot.

Concerns surround the local job market (49% negative responses vs. 31% globally) and personal career opportunities (39% vs. 25%). And only 38% of expats are satisfied with their job security (vs. 56%).

However, for over two in five respondents in Málaga (43%), these issues are irrelevant as they’re retired (vs. 11% globally). They can freely enjoy their Personal Finances (3rd) and Quality of Life (5th), including the sunshine. Almost all expats there (99%) are happy with the climate & weather (vs. 58% globally); 85% even give this factor the best possible rating (vs. 25%).

3 | Alicante

Alicante, Valencia, and Málaga reshuffled their positions in the top 3, with Alicante ranking 3rd in 2024 after seeing 2nd place the previous year.

In contrast to the other four Spanish cities, Alicante is the only one with a top 10 place in the Expat Essentials Index (7th) — a result that’s mostly carried by the Housing Subcategory (5th). Over two-thirds of respondents in Alicante (68%) rate the affordability of housing positively, double the global average of 34%. And a similar share (62%) says it’s easy to find (vs. 45% globally).

The Digital Life Subcategory (16th) is also decent: expats have unrestricted access to online services like social media (1st), and it’s easy to pay without cash (8th). However, the online availability of government services lags behind (24% negative responses vs. 22% globally). This spills over into Admin Topics (29th), where expats may struggle with the local bureaucracy/authorities (55% negative responses vs. 42%).

Alicante’s Working Abroad Index (41st) is its only index to not make the top 10. Career Prospects (50th) is again in the bottom for a third Spanish city, and job security (47th) is a concern. What’s more, less than half of expats there (47%) agree that the local business culture supports flexibility (vs. 56% globally).

But as in the top 2 cities, working abroad isn’t the draw for Alicante. More than half of respondents (56%) are either retired, not doing any paid work, or aren’t looking for a job (vs. 21% globally).

53 | Vancouver

Vancouver, which already placed in the bottom 10 in 2022 and 2023, has fallen further to rank last in the 2024 Expat City Ranking.

With a 41st place, Vancouver narrowly escapes the bottom 10 when it comes to Expat Essentials (while the same can’t be said for the other four indices). Here, comparatively good grades in the Digital Life (22nd) and Admin Topics (18th) Subcategories make up for a difficult housing search: Vancouver ranks in the bottom 10 (48th) for the ease of finding accommodation and dead last for its affordability (53rd).

It’s not just housing that’s expensive: 52% of expats in Vancouver are dissatisfied with their financial situation (vs. 26% globally).

Close to three in ten respondents (29%) are currently looking for work, too, nearly three times the global average (10%). So, Vancouver’s 51st place for the local job market is bad news indeed. Interestingly, around a quarter of respondents (23%) initially moved to Vancouver for their education (vs. 9% globally), while job-related reasons were cited less often (17% vs. 35%).

Whether through work or other channels, building up new connections doesn’t seem to be easy: over three in five respondents (63%) say it’s difficult to make local friends in Vancouver (vs. 41% globally). And less than half (48%) agree that people are generally friendly (vs. 63% globally).

There are at least some rays of hope when it comes to the Quality of Life. Expats appreciate the climate & weather (15th), enjoy the good air quality (6th), and agree Vancouver has a pleasant natural (3rd) and urban (17th) environment. However, the city still can’t escape a place in the bottom 10 of this index overall (49th), thanks to bad results for other aspects, including a dissatisfying culture & nightlife offering (53rd out of 53 cities).

52 | Hamburg

Contrary to Munich, Hamburg is no stranger to the bottom 10 of the Expat City Ranking. However, its second to last place in 2024 is a new low; only Vancouver ranks worse.

Expats in Hamburg are particularly unhappy with the Ease of Settling In (52nd) and the different aspects of the Expat Essentials Index (52nd). A lot of bureaucracy (50th), limited online services to handle administrative tasks (52nd), and a difficult housing search (50th) are just some of the sore points here.

Expats find the local language necessary to get by (48th) — but difficult to learn (45th). This might in part explain their struggles to get used to the local culture (51st), feel welcome (53rd), and make local friends (50th). Though it should be noted that nine in ten (90%) speak at least a little German.

Working Abroad in Hamburg is a bit of a mixed bag, with the city ranking 35th in the index. Close to seven in ten respondents (69%) find that moving to the city has improved their career prospects (vs. 56% globally), and more than half (53%) give the local job market good grades (vs. 41%). However, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re happy at work — Hamburg ranks 48th for job satisfaction!

Results in the Quality of Life Index, where Hamburg ranks 40th, are similarly mixed. The climate & weather is the biggest downside, with the city placing dead last for this point (53rd). And expats are rather unhappy with the availability (45th) and equal access to all kinds of healthcare services (47th) in the city.

On the other hand, public transportation is both available (19th) and comparatively affordable (25th). And 86% of respondents agree it’s easy and safe to get around on foot or by bicycle (vs. 76%). The culinary variety could be better, though (43rd).

Hamburg is the second-worst performing city in Germany when it comes to the Personal Finance Index, though its 37th place is still a noticeable step up from Munich’s 48th. Only an average share of expats (54%) are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 54% globally). And close to three in five (58%) rate living costs negatively (vs. 39%).

When all’s said and done, Hamburg lands in the bottom 3 for expats’ general level of happiness (51st).

51 | Toronto

Toronto continues to decline in the Expat City Ranking: following 19th place in 2022 and 35th in 2023, it’s now among the three worst-ranked cities worldwide (51st out of 53).

Toronto places in the bottom 10 in three out of the five indices. The biggest dip can be seen for Working Abroad, where the city went from 19th in 2023 to rank 47th a year later. Close to two in five expats (38%) rate the local economy negatively. Not only is this twice the global average (19%), it’s also over four times the result Toronto saw a year earlier (9%).

Lately, Canada has seen a decline in output per capita over several quarters and rising unemployment.¹ In Toronto, a higher-than-average share of survey respondents are also currently looking for work (15% vs. 10% globally). Combined with high living costs (52nd), this might play a role in Toronto’s last place for expats’ satisfaction with their financial situation (53rd).

Expats’ opinion about their Quality of Life (46th) in Toronto has worsened significantly over time, from 21st place in 2022. Its results for the urban environment (40th), recreational sporting opportunities (41st), and availability of green goods and services (39th) have gone down by over 20 ranks each compared to 2023.

Toronto’s results in the Expat Essentials (35th) and Ease of Settling In (36th) Indices aren’t as bad — but still nothing to write home about. Two in five expats (40%) are unhappy with their social life in the city (vs. 29% globally), while the affordability of housing (51st) remains a major concern.

Trends in the Top 10

Valencia
Málaga
Alicante
Panama City
Mexico City
Ras Al Khaimah
Madrid
Bangkok
Abu Dhabi
Dubai

Valencia (1st), Málaga (2nd), and Alicante (3rd) aren’t the only Spanish cities to make it into the top 10 of the 2024 Expat City Ranking: Madrid isn’t far behind in 7th place. It similarly offers a great Quality of Life (4th), Ease of Settling In (7th), and satisfying Personal Finances (13th).

Compared to the top 3, Madrid receives slightly worse results in the Expat Essentials Index, ranking 28th. Nevertheless, it’s the Spanish city with the best result for Working Abroad (also 28th).

These destinations in Spain are joined by two other Spanish-speaking cities: Panama City in 4th place and Mexico City in 5th. They not only share a language but also great results for Personal Finance (Panama City 2nd; Mexico City 4th) and the Ease of Settling In (8th; 2nd).

However, while Spanish destinations offer an excellent Quality of Life, Panama City (24th) and Mexico City (36th) receive only mediocre results here. On the flip side, both Panama City (13th) and Mexico City (11th) do better for Working Abroad.

Three Emirati cities make it into the top 10 of the 2024 Expat City Ranking: Ras Al Khaimah (6th), Abu Dhabi (9th), and Dubai (10th). They also occupy the top 3 of the Expat Essentials Index, thanks to easy administration, comparatively affordable housing, and more. And they perform pretty well when it comes to Working Abroad, with only Abu Dhabi missing out on the top 10 of the index, ranking 12th.

However, that’s where the similarities end: while Ras Al Khaimah stands out for great Personal Finances (8th), Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer the better Quality of Life (7th and 8th, respectively) .

As the only Asian destination in the top 10, Bangkok (8th) is the odd one out. Expats particularly appreciate it for the low cost of living, which 76% rate favorably (vs. 40% globally). An even higher share (77%) feel at home in the Thai capital (vs. 58%) — and finding an actual home is neither difficult (2nd) nor expensive (3rd).

Trends in the Bottom 10

Rome
Frankfurt
Berlin
Milan
Cologne
Istanbul
Munich
Toronto
Hamburg
Vancouver

The bottom 10 are mostly made up of Canadian, German, and Italian cities. Particularly, both Canadian cities Vancouver (53rd) and Toronto (51st) are in the bottom 3.

Second-to-last Hamburg (52nd) is joined by Munich (50th), Cologne (48th), Berlin (46th), and Frankfurt (45th). All five are in the bottom of the Expat Essentials and Ease of Settling In Indices. Expats find it difficult to get used to German culture and less than half feel welcome in their new home, compared to 63% of expats worldwide. In addition, Munich receives bad results for Personal Finance, ranking 48th.

Two Italian cities make it into the 2024 Expat City Ranking, and both land in the bottom 10: Milan in 47th place and Rome in 44th. This is an improvement compared to the previous year, when they ranked last and second to last, respectively. Still, expats there continue to be dissatisfied with nearly all aspects of the survey. Both cities fall in the bottom 10 for three out of the five indices. And results for their best index, Ease of Settling In, aren’t excellent, either, with Milan in 35th and Rome in 27th place.

Istanbul (49th) is the odd one out among the bottom 10. Expats there appreciate the climate & weather (9th), but that’s where the good news ends. Istanbul ranks dead last in the Working Abroad Index (53rd) and 50th for Quality of Life. Respondents are, for instance, unhappy with the state of the economy (53rd), the lack of recreational sporting opportunities (53rd), and the political (in)stability (53rd).

The Biggest Winners in 2024

After ranking 36th in 2023, Vienna finds itself in a much better 15th place a year later. The Austrian capital continues to delight with a high Quality of Life (3rd) and good Personal Finances (10th). Additionally, its results for Working Abroad and the Expat Essentials increased by 14 and 15 spots, respectively, with Vienna even placing in the top 10 of the Salary & Job Security Subcategory (8th from 17th in 2023).

Vienna’s 42nd place in the Ease of Settling In Index is still not great. But after two years of ranking dead last for this index, it’s nevertheless an impressive improvement! For example, two in five respondents in Vienna (40%) were unhappy with their social life in 2023 (vs. 25% globally). In 2024, less than a quarter (24%) say the same (vs. 29% globally).

Brussels, meanwhile, improves by 13 spots to place 18th in the 2024 Expat City Ranking. Expats rate the Belgian capital more favorably across most areas of the survey, though Personal Finances remains unchanged in 20th place.

Brussels’ biggest jump was for Working Abroad, where it now makes it into the top 3 (3rd), following 22nd place in 2023. Respondents appreciate their job security (3rd), personal career opportunities (9th), and work–life balance (6th). Close to three in four expats (74%) regard the latter favorably in 2024 (vs. 60% globally), nearly 10 percentage points more than the year before (65% vs. 63%).

The Biggest Losers in 2024

Stockholm tumbles down the ranks to place 39th in the 2024 Expat City Ranking — after seeing 18th in 2023. Contrary to Brussels, it lost a lot of ground regarding Working Abroad: it placed in the top 10 here in 2022 (8th) and 2023 (4th) but only manages 26th place in 2024. The share of expats dissatisfied with the local economy has more than doubled (12% vs. 5% in 2023), and they’re less likely to agree that moving to Stockholm has increased their career prospects (63% positive ratings in 2023 vs. 53% in 2024).

Other areas where the Swedish capital has worsened include Leisure Options (from 27th to 43rd), Admin Topics (21st to 37th), Finding Friends (28th to 45th), and Culture & Welcome (21st to 43rd). In fact, less than half of expats (49%) feel at home in Stockholm (vs. 58% globally). In 2023, close to two-thirds (66%) still said the same (vs. 62% globally).

Lisbon continues its downward trend and falls another 17 places in 2024 to rank 29th — a far cry from 4th place back in 2022. The city receives worse results across all indices of the survey, including its best performing one. Indeed, Lisbon no longer ranks in the top 10 for Quality of Life but must settle for 17th place.

While Lisbon has never performed well for Working Abroad, ranking 49th is a new low for it in this index. The Portuguese capital places last for Career Prospects, with close to three in five respondents (58%) dissatisfied with the local job market (vs. 31% globally). In 2023, this factor was already regarded worse than average, but less harshly with “just” 28% negative ratings (vs. 26%).