What It's Like to Live in the World's Most Liveable Cities in 2026

Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities around the world based on how good they are to live in. In 2026, Copenhagen, Denmark, took the top spot for the second year in a row. Vienna, Melbourne, Sydney, and Zurich rounded out the top five. To find out what life is really like in these cities, reporters asked people who actually live there to share their stories.

The ranking looks at 173 cities and scores them on stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. Copenhagen earned perfect scores in three of those five categories. Residents say those scores reflect something real — life there is built around simple pleasures. 'You can bike to work, jump in the harbour after and be home for dinner. It's not a special day, it's just Tuesday,' said Laura Amira Kassem, a medical student who has lived in Copenhagen for eight years.

Kassem takes visitors on a tour of Nørrebro, a neighborhood that mixes grocery shops, kebab spots, and sourdough bakeries. She recommends biking to Nordhavn for a swim and coffee, then stopping for a smørrebrød — a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich on rye bread. In the evenings, she suggests joining Loopet, a 3-kilometer running group that gathers at Fælledparken park. 'All are welcome,' she says. 'Run, catch up with friends and finish with dinner sitting outside.'

Vienna came in second place, earning perfect scores in healthcare and education. Resident Franziska Hochmüller says the city's liveability shows up in small daily details — like the beautiful buildings you pass on a tram ride to work. 'It's a small detail that reminds me every day how extraordinary the ordinary in Vienna really is,' she said. She directs visitors to a Saturday farmers' market where families and elderly residents shop and sip coffee together.

Melbourne ranked third, earning one of the highest culture and environment scores in the entire index. Residents say the city feels like a big place that acts like a small town. 'Melbourne is a big city that somehow behaves like a village,' said hotel manager Anne Marie Lennon. She adds that every suburb has its own feel and identity, from beachside St Kilda to Italian-food-filled Carlton.

Sydney tied Melbourne's overall score of 97 but came in fourth, earning perfect scores in healthcare and education. Residents say what makes Sydney special is easy access to nature and different cultures every day. 'Sydney makes it easy because wherever you are, you're never too far from a great view,' said Steve Kamper, the state's minister for jobs and tourism. He encourages visitors to explore multicultural suburbs like Burwood, not just famous spots like the Harbour Bridge.

Zurich dropped from second place in 2025 to fifth in 2026, but residents say the city's quality of life remains remarkable. Local content creator Manuela Leonhard says the city's lakes and rivers are central to daily life. 'Every day I pass by either Lake Zurich, river Limmat or river Sihl and take some time for myself,' she says. One thing that still amazes her is how clean the city stays after major events — by morning, you can't tell anything happened at all.