Quality of Living City Ranking 2024
Zurich leads the Quality of Living City Ranking for the international workforce in 2024.
Mercer’s quality of living data assesses the practicalities of daily life for international assignees and their families in assignment locations worldwide.
In 2024, the landscape of global cities continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic interplay of economic, social and environmental factors that shape our urban experiences. The latest Quality of Living City Ranking highlights the cities that stand out for their exceptional living standards, robust infrastructure and vibrant cultural scenes. We consider many factors in creating our proprietary ranking model, including housing, recreation, socio-cultural environment, purchasing conventions, travel, traffic, air quality and access to education.
This year, Zurich, Switzerland, takes the top position, fuelled by its outstanding public services, low crime rates and a lively cultural scene, all backed by efficient infrastructure and a dedication to sustainability. Additionally, for 2024, Zurich has enhanced its airport connections, increasing the number of flights to and from other continents. Following closely behind is Vienna, Austria. Meanwhile, Geneva has climbed to 3rd place, improving by two places since last year.
In addition to the eight European cities that dominate the top 10 in the ranking, Auckland emerges as a leader for the Pacific at 5th place, while North America is represented by Vancouver, which ranks joint 7th, offering a unique blend of outdoor recreation and cosmopolitan living.
In Asia, Singapore leads the way at number 30, standing out as the only Asian city in the top 50. The highest-ranking city in the Middle East is Dubai, which occupies the 83rd position, followed closely by Abu Dhabi at 85. Port Louis takes the lead for Africa, remaining in 88th position, similar to the previous year. Finally, in South America, Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, comes in at number 92.
Global mobility perspective: Navigating the shifts and stability
For HR professionals and global mobility managers, this ranking is about more than just numbers; it is a critical tool for understanding the best urban environments for talent deployment and retention. As organisations rely increasingly on international assignees to drive global business strategies, the quality of living in potential host cities has become a key consideration that directly impacts allowances and compensation packages. Factors such as safety, healthcare, education and cultural integration play a significant role in attracting and retaining top talent, influencing not only where employees choose to relocate but also how organisations structure their compensation to meet the needs of their workforce in diverse global markets.
As cities face multifaceted challenges such as climate change, economic fluctuations and social inequality, the 2024 ranking provides valuable insights for HR leaders and organisations seeking to support their international assignees effectively. The key findings of the ranking explore the factors that contribute to the quality of living in locations and the impact of these on both the international workforce and the organisations that employ them. By understanding these dynamics, companies can better navigate the complexities of global mobility management and enhance the overall experience for their international workforce. Mercer’s quality of living data provides valuable information and hardship premium recommendations for most major cities throughout the world.
Which cities offer high quality of living for international employees?
In addition to the eight Western European countries in the top 10, other notable cities with a high quality of living include Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Oslo (Norway), Helsinki (Finland), Paris (France) and Milan (Italy), rank 6th, 18th, 20th, 26th, 34th and 42nd, respectively.
In the United Kingdom, London secures the 40th position, followed by Edinburgh (50th), Glasgow (53rd), Birmingham (57th), Aberdeen (62nd) and Belfast (66th).
Eastern European cities such as Prague, Czech Republic (63rd), Warsaw, Poland (78th) and Budapest, Hungary (79th), have experienced a slight decrease in the quality of living in recent years. They have faced various challenges, including economic instability, political unrest, and social inequality, that have impacted the well-being of their residents.
In Africa, Mauritius’ Port Louis is ranked 88th globally and recognised for having the best quality of living standards and safety in the region. It is followed by Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, which holds the 101st position in the ranking.
South Africa has several cities featured in the ranking, including Cape Town (105th), Durban (110th) and Johannesburg (115th). Other notable cities in Africa with a moderate quality of living include Rabat, Morocco (127th), Tunis, Tunisia (129th) and Casablanca, Morocco (135th).
In the Middle East, Dubai, ranked at 83rd place, and Abu Dhabi, ranked at 85th place, are the two major cities in the United Arab Emirates. These cities are renowned for their modern infrastructure and diverse expatriate communities. However, as Dubai experiences rapid construction and urbanisation, it has encountered challenges such as traffic congestion and climate-change concerns, including increased levels of air pollution.
Ranked at 30th, and first among Asian cities, Singapore is known for its consistently high quality of living. The city-state offers a clean and safe environment combined with highly efficient infrastructure. Several cities in Japan have made it to the list, too. Tokyo is ranked at 56th, Yokohama at 58th and Osaka-Kobe at 68th, making it a major economic and cultural hub in Japan. Seoul in South Korea is ranked at 81st, known for its fast-paced lifestyle and technological advancements. Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea and ranked at 100th place, is actively investing in enhancing its appeal and international offerings. In China, Shanghai is ranked at 106th, followed by Beijing at 123rd and Guangzhou at 128th. The Indian city with the highest-ranked quality of living is Hyderabad (150), followed closely by Pune (154), Bengaluru (156) and Mumbai (158).
Vancouver, Canada, secures the seventh spot, providing residents with a unique blend of outdoor recreation and cosmopolitan living, both of which contribute to its high-quality lifestyle. Toronto, at 13th place, is a global economic hub with a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
In the United States, Boston is ranked 32nd, while San Francisco — still a global centre for technology and innovation — takes 36th position. Honolulu takes 39th place, followed by Los Angeles at 44th and New York City at 45th place respectively.
In Central and South America, Montevideo (Uruguay) ranks 92nd, followed by Buenos Aires (Argentina) at 97th and Santiago (Chilli) at 98th. Cities in Brazil, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte, rank at 103rd, 114th, 117th, and 120th, respectively. Bogotá (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador) and Lima (Peru) rank at 124th, 129th and 133rd. Caracas in Venezuela is ranked at 201st place due to major challenges such as safety concerns and a severe economic crisis. Port-au-Prince in Haiti is ranked at 237th and faces political and economic instability.
Over in the Pacific, Auckland in New Zealand claims the fifth spot in the world ranking, emphasising its exceptional quality of living. Sydney (Australia) ranks 12th followed by Wellington at 14th and Melbourne at 20th.
Top 10 cities for quality of living 2024
City attractiveness: finding the right balance
Beyond the quality of life a location offers, the cost of living also plays a significant role in its appeal to both employees and corporations.
In an era of digital nomads and flexible working, countries and cities are consistently working to attract international businesses, talent and remote workers. The most successful destinations today are those that blend flexible governance around mobile talent with a high quality of life and an affordable cost of living.
The chart below illustrates the relationship between cost and quality of living in selected cities around the world.
Talent Mobility Conference 2025
Conclusion: A reflection of urban resilience
The 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking provides a comprehensive overview of urban living conditions, showcasing both the strengths and challenges faced by cities worldwide. As urban centres continue to evolve, the ranking serves as a valuable resource for individuals and organisations alike, guiding decisions related to relocation, investment and talent management.
In a world where quality of life is increasingly paramount, the ability of cities to adapt and thrive will determine their future standing in the global arena. As we look ahead, the lessons learnt from this year’s ranking will be crucial for shaping the urban landscapes of tomorrow.
About Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey
Mercer is the leading provider of data on quality of living for employees sent to work abroad. Ongoing research on the practicalities of daily life for these international employees and their families forms the basis of our annual ranking of the quality of living in many prevalent assignment locations. It is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation strategies for their international assignees.
When you relocate international assignees from one country to another, you need clear and objective information that establishes the quality of living differences between cities. The Mercer Quality of Living Reports aim to provide tangible values for such qualitative perceptions, to establish an effective and objective assessment of the quality of living throughout the world. The choice of cities surveyed is based on demand for data from Mercer’s clients.
How we calculate Quality of Living
New York City serves as the base city for our global ranking, which this year features an exciting lineup of 241 cities from five continents.
Our reports evaluate living conditions against widely accepted standards, delivering valuable premium recommendations for all international assignees.
At Mercer, we proudly produce our annual worldwide quality of living rankings through the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey. We create individual reports for each city we survey, and we also offer comparative quality of living indexes between a base city and a host city, along with multiple-city comparisons.
We collect and analyse the data and are committed to updating our findings regularly to reflect changing circumstances. Our evaluations are revised to incorporate significant political, economic, and environmental developments, ensuring our recommendations remain fresh, relevant and insightful.
Discover how Mercer can empower you with a wide range of data-driven insights, expert consulting, and seamless mobility solutions. Take the first step towards unlocking your potential. Explore more from our latest data update webinar here.
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