Best Cities to Live In 2026
Every city scored on affordability, safety, internet, democracy, English ease, climate, and stability. No vibes. Just math.
Data: Numbeo · UNODC · EIU · World Bank · EF EPI · Ookla Speedtest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best city to live in Europe in 2026?▾
Based on our Livability Score — which combines affordability, safety, internet speed, democracy, English ease, and climate — Porto (Portugal) ranks #1 in Europe in 2026 with a score of 83/100. A 1-bedroom city-centre apartment costs around $1132/month. See the full city list above to compare all European cities.
What is the cheapest city to live in Europe?▾
Among cities in our database, Novi Sad (Serbia) has the lowest city-centre rent at around $543/month. Filter by "Cheapest Rent" above to see the full list sorted by affordability.
What is the safest city in Europe?▾
By UNODC homicide data, Debrecen (Hungary) is among the safest in Europe with a homicide rate of 0 per 100,000 people. Use the "Safest" sort option above to see cities ranked by safety.
What is the best city to live in Asia?▾
In Asia, Seoul (South Korea) leads our 2026 Livability Rankings with a score of 83/100. Filter by "Asia" above to compare all Asian cities in our database.
What are the best European cities for expats in 2026?▾
The top European cities for long-term relocation by our Livability Score in 2026 are: #1 Porto (Portugal, 83/100), #2 Copenhagen (Denmark, 80/100), #3 Gothenburg (Sweden, 80/100), #4 Lisbon (Portugal, 79/100), #5 Tallinn (Estonia, 78/100). All ranked on affordability, safety, internet speed, democracy, and more.
Where to move from Russia or Ukraine in 2026?▾
Cities popular with Russian and Ukrainian relocators include Belgrade, Istanbul — all accessible visa-free or with simple permit processes for CIS passport holders. Belgrade starts at around $851/month in rent. Filter by Europe above and use our City Tinder quiz for personalized recommendations.
What are the most affordable cities with good quality of life?▾
Cities that score high on livability while keeping rent below $800/month include: Chiang Mai (Thailand, 74/100, $451/mo); Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, 73/100, $654/mo); Batumi (Georgia, 72/100, $531/mo). Use our Score Simulator to weight affordability higher in your personal rankings.