Ranked: The 25 best cities to live in the world, according to expats

Travel

What are the best cities to live in the world? Find out with the Expat Insider 2024—a new report that ranks the world’s best places to live.

Valencia, Spain was just named the world’s best city to live in a new report. Pictured here: Grao beach. (Getty)

Looking for the best cities to live in the world? You’re not alone: In the wake of the U.S. presidential election, droves of Americans are thinking of moving abroad. So the timing couldn’t be better for InterNations’ annual Expat City Ranking, a report on the best places to live in the world. InterNations is the largest global community for people who live and work abroad.

This year, the winner is Valencia, Spain, reclaiming its spot as the number one city in the newly released 2024 list. Last year, Valencia came in third and Malaga, Spain won.

This year’s report is based on data from over 12,500 expats living in 53 cities across 35 countries. The report evaluates cities on five key indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance and more. The ranking provides invaluable insight into what it’s like to live abroad, from cost of living to job satisfaction to how easy it is to make friends in a new place.

Here’s what you need to know about the top cities to live in 2024, according to expats.

view of Valencia Spain world's best city to live — A view of Valencia’s Cullera lighthouse, which juts into the Mediterranean sea. (Getty)

Best Cities To Live In The World: The Winner

After a brief dip to third place in 2023, Valencia—which was named the best city to live in the world in 2022—is back in the top spot in the 2024 list. Valencia, which is known for its gorgeous beaches, rich culture and affordable lifestyle, earns high marks in the quality of life index, ranking first overall. Expats rave about the city’s affordable public transportation (96% positive) and opportunities for recreational activities (95% positive). The city’s safety also stands out, with zero respondents reporting dissatisfaction with their personal safety.

“Valencia has a pretty relaxed lifestyle. I like the friendly people, good food, vibrant culture and pleasant climate,” a Dutch expat said in the report.

But Valencia isn’t perfect. Expats report challenges in the working abroad index, where Valencia ranks 31st. Complaints include limited career prospects and a challenging local job market. Despite these drawbacks, expats are drawn to Valencia for its lifestyle: 27% moved here for a better quality of life.

Malaga world's best cities to live — Malaga is the second best city to live in the world, according to expats. Pictured here: Malaga’s yacht harbor. (Getty)

Best Cities To Live In The World: Spain Dominates

Valencia isn’t the only Spanish city to make headlines. Spain is a big winner this year, with a total of five cities in the top 25. Malaga and Alicante took second and third place, respectively, solidifying Spain’s reputation as an expat haven.

Malaga ranks second overall and first in the ease of settling in index. It has the happiest expats in the world. However, the city slips in the working abroad index, dropping to 44th, with expats citing challenges in career prospects and job security. Still, for the 43% of respondents who are retired, Malaga remains an idyllic choice, with 99% of expats praising its sunny weather.

Alicante is another Spanish success story, ranking third overall. The city stands out in the expat essentials index, where it ranks seventh, thanks to affordable housing and accessible digital infrastructure. Nearly 70% of respondents say Alicante’s housing is affordable.

Madrid lands in seventh place, while Barcelona slips to 21, a significant drop from previous years. Despite its lower ranking this year, Barcelona still impresses with its cultural and culinary offerings, which rank among the best globally.

panama best cities to live — Panama City was another top-ranking city. (Getty)

Best Cities To Live In The World: Other Global Standouts

Beyond Spain, the top 10 cities reflect diverse geographies and lifestyles. Panama City and Mexico City round out the top five, excelling in personal finance and ease of settling in. Panama City stands out for its affordability, while Mexico City offers a dynamic cultural scene and a strong social scene.

Bangkok, Thailand is in sixth place, with expats appreciating its low cost of living and welcoming atmosphere. Other high performers include two UAE cities—Abu Dhabi (8th) and Dubai (9th)—which shine in expat essentials, thanks to affordable housing, efficient administration and robust digital infrastructure.

Best Cities To Live In The World: How The U.S. And Canada Fared

For the second year in a row, there’s no U.S. city in the top 25. New York City—the highest-ranked American city in 2023–fell to 45 after ranking 39 last year. The issue: ongoing struggles with affordability and work-life balance. While expats appreciate the city’s cultural and dining options, many report difficulties with housing and high living costs. “The cost of living here is outrageous, and it feels impossible to save,” one respondent said in the report.

Canadian cities fare even worse this year. Vancouver drops to last place (53), while Toronto ranks 51. Housing costs are a major issue in both cities, with Vancouver earning the unfortunate distinction of being the least affordable city for housing globally. Vancouver also suffers from limited career prospects. Nearly 30% of expats report that they are actively looking for work—three times the global average. The city also receives poor marks for its social scene, with 63% saying it’s hard to make local friends.

Read on for the lists of the 25 best cities to live in the world and the 10 lowest ranked cities to live. You can also view the complete list here, along with comments from survey respondents.