Expat Insider - The World Through Expat Eyes

Expat Insider 2024
Quality of Life Index for Cities

Expat Insider 2024

The Cities with the Best (& Worst) Quality of Life

There are a few moves in the top and bottom 10, but what remains a constant is the presence of European cities on both ends of the scale.

Methodology
Valencia Is 1st Three Times in a Row
Seeking a Better Quality of Life in Alicante (2nd)
Traveling across Vienna (3rd) Delights
Dublin’s (53rd) Healthcare a Concern
Lack of Safety & Public Transportation in Nairobi (52nd)
Unstable Political Climate in Milan (51st)
Trends in the Top 10
Trends in the Bottom 10
The Biggest Winners in 2024
The Biggest Losers in 2024
Full Ranking
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.

The Top 10

Methodology

The Quality of Life Index is based on five subcategories with three to six underlying factors each.

The Environment & Climate Subcategory sums up expats’ satisfaction with the following factors: air quality, climate & weather, natural environment, urban environment, availability of green goods and services (e.g., renewable energy, organic food), and whether the government supports policies to protect the environment.

The affordability, availability, and quality of medical care, together with whether it’s easy to get equal access to all kinds of healthcare services, make up the Healthcare Subcategory.

Safety & Security concerns itself with expats’ opinions on their personal safety as well as the political stability in their host country. It also considers whether respondents feel they can openly express themselves and their opinions.

Culinary variety & dining options, culture & nightlife, and local opportunities for recreational sports are summarized by the Leisure Options Subcategory.

And lastly, the Travel & Transit Subcategory takes a closer look at the affordability and availability of public transportation, infrastructure for cars, opportunity to travel, and whether it’s easy and safe to get around on foot or by bicycle.

These factors were rated by expats on a scale of one (very bad / disagree completely) to seven (very good / agree completely). In 2024, 53 cities with a minimum of 50 respondents each made it into the ranking.

Valencia Is 1st Three Times in a Row

Valencia ranks 1st for the Quality of Life Index and 1st overall in the 2024 Expat City Ranking. Four of the index’s five subcategories place in the top 5: Environment & Climate (1st), Travel & Transit (2nd), Healthcare (3rd), and Leisure Options (4th).

“It’s a pretty relaxed lifestyle. I like the friendly people, good food, vibrant culture, and pleasant climate.” – Dutch expat

More than nine in ten expats are pleased with the climate & weather (97% vs. 58% globally) and the natural environment (95% vs. 82%). The same is true regarding their opportunity to travel (97% vs. 83%); the affordability (96% vs. 70%) and availability (95% vs. 72%) of public transportation; and the ease of getting around on foot or by bicycle (95% vs. 76%).

In fact, no respondent in Valencia had anything negative to say about several of these factors, including the affordability of public transportation (vs. 15% negative ratings globally), opportunities for recreational sport (vs. 11%), and their personal safety (vs. 8%).

This great quality of life is what drew many expats to Valencia. A larger share than the global average relocated for lifestyle-related reasons: 27% moved for a better quality of life (vs. 9% globally) and 11% to retire there (vs. 3%). And 51% plan on staying possibly forever (vs. 34%).

Seeking a Better Quality of Life in Alicante (2nd)

In 2nd place for the Quality of Life is another Spanish city: Alicante. Expats are particularly happy with the Environment & Climate (2nd) and Healthcare (2nd). Noticeably, all underlying factors of the Healthcare Subcategory are ranked in the top 5 — more than four in five expats rate the affordability (83% vs. 58% globally) and availability (87% vs. 68%) of medical care positively.

One aspect that doesn’t perform as well as the others is political stability. It’s the only factor where a lower share of expats is satisfied compared to the global average (57% vs. 59%). Alicante thus lands outside the top 10 for Safety & Security, in 16th place.

Similarly to Valencia, lifestyle-related reasons are the biggest draw to Alicante: 28% moved for a better quality of life (vs. 9% globally) and 23% to retire there (vs. 3%). In fact, more than half of respondents (56%) are either retired or not doing (nor looking for) any paid work (vs. 21% globally).

“I like my safety and security as a woman, the availability of organic food and decent housing, the easy traveling opportunities, and warm weather.” – Romanian expat

A move to Alicante doesn’t seem to be a passing fancy, as 36% of respondents have lived there for more than 10 years already (vs. 28% globally) and 65% plan on staying possibly forever (vs. 34%).

Traveling across Vienna (3rd) Delights

Vienna’s 3rd place in the Quality of Life Index isn’t surprising, as the city regularly ranks highly in livability studies (e.g., Mercer’s Quality of Living City Ranking¹, Economist’s Global Liveability Index²).

Travel & Transit (1st) is the star subcategory in the index. More than nine in ten expats are satisfied with the affordability and availability of public transportation, with 73% and 78%, respectively, giving these factors the best possible rating (vs. 39% and 41% globally).

The Environment & Climate (3rd) and Healthcare (6th) also delight. The Austrian city ranks 1st for the availability of green goods and services, and expats are happy with the air quality (83% vs. 64% globally) and urban environment (89% vs. 66%). Healthcare-wise, at least four in five expats give a positive rating to its quality (83% vs. 66% globally), availability (84% vs. 68%), and affordability (80% vs. 58%).

“I like the coziness, international environment, the safety, and the cultural life (museums, concerts, etc.), as well as the quality of life, healthcare availability, and public transportation.” – Russian expat

While expats in Vienna feel safe (91% vs. 80% globally), the ability to openly express oneself and one’s opinions isn’t as highly regarded as the other factors in the index (69% vs. 62%), landing Safety & Security in 13th place.

Dublin’s (53rd) Healthcare a Concern

As in 2023, last place in the 2024 Quality of Life Index is awarded to Dublin. The Irish capital’s performance sees it placing in the bottom 10 for three out of five subcategories: Healthcare (53rd), Travel & Transit (52nd), and Leisure Options (47th).

What’s more, all underlying factors of the Healthcare and Travel & Transit Subcategories can be found in the bottom 10. At least double the global average give a negative rating to the affordability (48% vs. 22% globally) and availability (51% vs. 16%) of healthcare. A similar trend can be seen for the affordability (33% negative ratings vs. 15%) and availability (36% vs. 17%) of public transportation, as well as the infrastructure for cars (30% vs. 14%).

“Medical care is barely affordable (even with insurance) and mostly of poor quality; housing crisis is insane and rents are ridiculous; my social life is close to non-existent; and I can't afford traveling because of rent and car expenses.” – Latvian expat

The silver lining is the Environment & Climate Subcategory in 27th place. Dublin’s air quality (15th) and natural environment (20th) can be appreciated, and more than three in four expats (76%) agree that the government supports policies to protect the environment (vs. 61% globally). Moreover, the ability to openly express oneself and one’s opinions sees a top 10 placement (8th).

Lack of Safety & Public Transportation in Nairobi (52nd)

Kenya’s capital Nairobi comes in 52nd place in the Quality of Life Index. Two subcategories of concern are Travel & Transit (53rd) and Safety & Security (51st), while Healthcare (43rd) is only one spot off from the bottom 10.

Almost triple the global average of expats rate the availability of public transportation negatively (48% vs. 17% globally), and more than triple say it’s not easy nor safe to get around on foot or by bicycle (49% vs. 13%). Nairobi is also the city where expats feel the least safe (53rd) compared to the average.

“There’s a lack of quality mass transit and decent, affordable housing with stable electricity.” – US American expat

According to expats, healthcare is neither of high quality (47th) nor affordable (44th), with a third of expats (34%) rating the latter factor negatively (vs. 22% globally). It’s a little more available (36th), at least, and easier to get equal access to all kinds of healthcare services (31st).

Leisure Options (14th) and Environment & Climate (24th) are above average, at least. Expats can delight in the climate & weather (4th) and the natural environment (10th). When it comes to the culinary variety & dining options, close to nine in ten respondents in Nairobi (88%) are satisfied (vs. 73% globally).

Unstable Political Climate in Milan (51st)

Milan has been on a downward trajectory since 2022, where it ranked 33rd out of 50 cities in the Quality of Life Index. In 2024, the Italian city places 51st. Safety & Security (50th) and Environment & Climate (52nd) in particular are poorly rated.

Around a third of expats (34%) view the political stability negatively (vs. 16% globally), and 24% don’t feel safe (vs. 8%). A higher share (59%) are dissatisfied with the air quality (vs. 19%), and 30% rate the urban environment negatively (vs. 16%).

“The climate degradation is particularly acute … The second biggest issue is road safety. People are generally incredibly unsafe drivers and have zero regard for bikers or pedestrians, so it’s extremely difficult and dangerous to commute without a car.” – US American expat

Indeed, Travel & Transit (44th) is another subcategory in the bottom 10, partly due to poor infrastructure for cars (46th) and the difficulty of getting around on foot or by bicycle (51st). In fact, 26% of respondents find the latter factor neither easy nor safe, at double the global average (13%).

When it comes to Healthcare (40th), expats regard it as relatively more affordable (32nd) than it is available (47th). One thing to find joy in, however, is the culinary variety & dining options (21st): 84% of respondents are happy with Milan’s cuisine (vs. 73% globally).

Trends in the Top 10

Valencia
Alicante
Vienna
Madrid
Málaga
Tokyo
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Zurich
Copenhagen

Not much has changed in the top 10 of the 2024 Quality of Life Index from 2023. Only two cities enter the top 10 from 15th and 16th place, respectively: Tokyo and Copenhagen.

As in 2023, the majority at the top of the index is made up by European cities. This includes Valencia (1st), Alicante (2nd), Vienna (3rd), Madrid (4th), Málaga (5th), Zurich (9th), and Copenhagen (10th).

In Madrid and Málaga, expats highly rate their Leisure Options (1st; 5th, respectively) and Healthcare (8th; 7th), while Copenhagen and Zurich offer better Safety & Security (1st; 2nd).

From the Middle East, two Emirati cities make the list: Abu Dhabi (7th) and Dubai (8th). So the only odd one out is Tokyo (6th).

Leisure Options are more plentiful in Dubai (8th) than in Abu Dhabi (23rd), but Healthcare aspects are better in the latter (4th vs. Dubai’s 17th). Meanwhile, Tokyo ranks 1st for the availability of public transportation and the affordability of healthcare.

Trends in the Bottom 10

Budapest
New York City
Toronto
Rome
Kuala Lumpur
Vancouver
Istanbul
Milan
Nairobi
Dublin

European cities are also at home in the bottom 10 of the Quality of Life Index. Dublin (53rd), Milan (51st), and Rome (47th) are familiar faces from 2023, while Budapest slips from 37th place to rank 44th in 2024.

Of these four European cities, Budapest’s Travel & Transit ranking (18th) is the best performance for a subcategory — the availability of public transportation even ranks 8th. However, aspects related to Healthcare in the Hungarian capital have worsened, with affordability falling 12 spots to 46th. Meanwhile in Rome, healthcare is relatively more affordable (22nd) but the availability of public transportation is poor (51st).

Vancouver (49th), Toronto (46th), and New York City (45th) represent North America, while Nairobi (52nd), Istanbul (50th), and Kuala Lumpur (48th) are the odd ones out.

In the North American cities, Healthcare is a sore point (Toronto 48th; NYC 50th; Vancouver 52nd). Though Leisure Options (7th) and the Environment & Climate (6th) are star subcategories for New York City and Vancouver, respectively.

Safety & Security is a major concern in Nairobi (51st), Kuala Lumpur (52nd), and Istanbul (53rd), with these cities occupying the bottom 3 spots of the subcategory.

The Biggest Winners in 2024

Warsaw is the biggest winner of the 2024 Quality of Life Index. The Polish capital jumps 19 spots to rank 16th, thanks in part to improved Travel & Transit. From 22nd in 2023, this subcategory enters the top 10 (6th), as expats are happier with the affordability (6th) and availability (9th) of public transportation — in fact, no respondent gave these factors a negative rating in 2024.

From the bottom 10 of the index in 2023 (44th), Riyadh improves by 11 ranks to place 33rd in 2024. Two of the index’s subcategories also exit the bottom 10 (Leisure Options 37th; Environment & Climate 43rd), as well as several of the underlying factors. For instance, the affordability of public transportation gained 15 spots to rank 34th. In 2023, 37% rated this factor negatively (vs. 15% globally); one year later, this share is down to 18% (vs. 15%).

Travel & Transit is a common theme for this year’s biggest winners as Hong Kong’s improved ranking in the 2024 index (from 33rd to 23rd) was also bolstered by the subcategory’s performance (from 20th to 9th). The biggest difference is expats’ opportunity to travel, which jumped 31 ranks to place 13! The factor’s negative ratings went from 17% (vs. 6% globally) to just 1% (vs. 6%).

The Biggest Losers in 2024

Two of this year’s biggest losers in the Quality of Life Index are the Canadian cities Toronto (46th) and Vancouver (49th). Not only do they fall 14 and 13 spots, respectively, but they also enter the bottom 10.

Healthcare (48th) and Travel & Transit (49th) are Toronto’s sore points. Expats’ satisfaction with the availability and quality of healthcare in particular has decreased. In 2023, around a quarter of respondents (a respective 24% and 23%) rated these factors negatively (vs. 14% globally) — now this share is at nearly a third (32% vs. 16%; 31% vs. 17%, respectively).

Vancouver’s issues are similar to Toronto’s, with the added disappointment of Leisure Options (50th). The city’s culture & nightlife ranks dead last (53rd).

Over in Sweden, its capital Stockholm slips 14 spots to 27th place. In a 16-point drop, Leisure Options (43rd) narrowly misses the bottom 10 after placing 27th in 2023. Expats see fewer opportunities for recreational sports (from 9th in 2023 to 29th) and aren’t as pleased with the culture & nightlife (from 33rd to 48th).