30 Best Cities to Live in the World in 2024

In this article, we will navigate through livability in urban centers while exploring some of the best cities to live in the world in detail.

Urban Centres and Livability

The World Bank reports that 56% of the world’s population currently resides in cities. The world’s urban population will be rising by 1.5 times to 6 billion by 2045. By 2050, nearly 7 in 10 people across the globe will be living in cities. The rapid rate of urbanization is important to consider since 80% of the global GDP is generated in these urban centres. Additionally, the expansion of urban development also requires planning for infrastructure, housing, and basic services.

As reported by The World Economic Forum, a liveable city is generally safe, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive of its residents. Such a city allows access to diverse housing, employment opportunities, health, and community services, as well as leisure. In short, a liveable city is one which promotes individual and community wellbeing thereby making it a place where people want to live. It has social, economic, and environmental advantages which assist it in being resilient.

Analysts polled by Yahoo Finance expect JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (NYSE:JPM) earnings to grow by 11.2% this year and 10.7% by 2025.

New York’s Bustling Economy: A Prime Business Destination

The popular New York City, one of the most sought-after destinations globally, has long been regarded as a dominant business and economic hub. One of the largest companies in New York that also drives its economy is JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM). As of March 31, the company has $4.1 trillion in assets and $337 billion in stockholders’ equity. Currently, the company is one of the largest employers in New York and contributes $29.8 billion annually to the city’s economy while creating an additional 40,000 jobs across local industries. As of August 2023, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has more than 23,000 employees, over 290 branches, and over 417,000 business clients across NYC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is currently building its global headquarters at 270 Park Avenue which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The project solely will drive additional economic activity of $2.6 billion for New York City and $3.6 billion for New York State. The project will result in over 8,000 construction jobs from across 40 local unions. The company also launched its new state-of-the-art office in Glasgow’s International Finance District while Glasgow serves as one of its 23 Global Technology Centers.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) ended the first quarter of 2024 with strong earnings. The company reported earnings per share of $4.44 beating EPS estimate by $0.31. The company’s revenue for the quarter amounted to $41.93 billion, up 9.35% year-over-year and ahead of revenue consensus by $243.15 million. The company is pioneering the use of blockchain and AI in financial services. In October 2023, the company executed its first collateral settlement using blockchain through its Tokenized Collateral Network (TCN) and helped BlackRock convert shares from a money market fund into digital tokens which were transferred to Barclays as collateral for an over-the-counter derivatives deal. Moreover, this May, the banking group launched IndexGPT, its AI-powered tool that develops thematic indices based on keywords.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) has a strong track record of growth and profitability. Over the past 5 years, the company has grown its revenue by 7% and net income by about 9%. Currently, the stock is trading at 12 times its forward earnings, in-line with its 5-year historical average of 12x. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) may not have significant near-term upside to it considering analysts’ median price target points to an 11% upside from current levels, but it is a long term portfolio pick. We’re not as bullish on financials as we are on AI and the ability of AI stocks to deliver higher returns within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a promising AI stock that is trading at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Without further ado, we can move to the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024.

30 Best Cities to Live in the World in 2024

A business suit clad executive looking out the window of a highrise, the New York skyline in the background.

Our Methodology

In order to compile a list of the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024, we did a sentiment analysis on Reddit. First, we aggregated the list of best places by sifting through 5 online rankings. Next, we used Reddit to find 15 threads that asked people about the best cities to live in the world. We read and analyzed all the comments and added the upvotes for each city on our list. Lastly, we shortlisted places that had at least a total of 200 upvotes and ranked the best places on our list in ascending order of the total upvotes on Reddit.

Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of Reddit users.

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30 Best Cities to Live in the World in 2024

30. Montreal, Canada

Upvotes: 215

The city of Montreal is based in the province of Quebec, Canada. The city is deemed one of the best cities to live in the world and is known for its sense of community. Locals of Montreal consider the city as a diverse place where one can express their true self.

29. Lisbon, Portugal

Upvotes: 237

Lisbon serves as the capital of Portugal and ranks on our list of the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024. It is one of the oldest cities across the globe. Some of the reasons making the city worth living include its unique history, year-round good climate, nightlife, and how residents enjoy the ease of discovering the rest of Portugal.

28. Venice, Italy

Upvotes: 245

Venice is situated in northeastern Italy and is known for its waterways worldwide. The city is a popular tourist destination and has been referred to as the ‘City of Water’. Venice has also previously secured the title of the most beautiful city built by man.

27. Edinburgh, UK

Upvotes: 261

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, ranks 27th on our list of the best cities to live in the world in 2024. It is a cultural centre and one of the most populous cities in the United Kingdom. The Scottish capital is walkable and is considered one of the most desirable places to stay in the UK.

26. Brisbane, Australia

Upvotes: 273

The city of Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland. The city is diverse and has been a part of the most liveable cities worldwide. It is also a famous tourist destination. Brisbane has gained international repute and will also be hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

25. Porto, Portugal

Upvotes: 290 

Porto serves as one of the oldest European centers and is located along the Douro River estuary. Many expats on Reddit have mentioned the city as their favorite destination to stay. The second largest city in Portugal, Porto, also has a good business location following Lisbon.

24. Auckland, New Zealand

Upvotes: 304

The city of Aukland is situated in the North Island of New Zealand. Historic sites and cultural institutions are some of the attractions in the city. Aukland is one of the most liveable cities globally and is considered especially good for career opportunities.

23. Dubai, UAE

Upvotes: 318

Dubai is one of the most sought-after locations among those who require a high quality of life. Residents can seek a multitude of employment opportunities. Apart from being an attractive expat destination, the city has been deemed suitable to invest, visit, and work in.

22. Osaka, Japan

Upvotes: 331

The city of Osaka is situated in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. The city was traditionally considered the country’s economic hub. Osaka has been rated highly for its stability and infrastructure thereby mentioned frequently as one of the best cities to live in the world.

21. Helsinki, Finland

Upvotes: 348

Helsinki ranks as another city considered suitable for living in 2024. The city is the capital of Finland. Based on its highest standards of urban living globally, it has been referred to as a liveable city. Other than being an important tourist city in Finland, Helsinki is one of the friendliest cities in Europe.

20. Rome, Italy

Upvotes: 362

The capital of Italy, Rome, ranks 20th on our list of the best cities to live in the world in 2024. For somebody who chooses to live in the city, there are endless opportunities to discover art, music, and history.

19. San Francisco, USA

Upvotes: 374

San Francisco operates as a commercial and financial center in Northern California. It is one of the most visited cities in the United States. Be it top-notch educational institutes or a thriving business scene, the city has a lot to offer to its residents as well as its visitors.

18. Prague, Czech Republic

Upvotes: 381

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, secures the 18th position on our list of the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024. The city is a popular destination among tourists and is home to numerous museums, galleries, theatres, and cinemas. The historic capital is an especially attractive place to live among expats and digital nomads.

17. Zurich, Switzerland

Upvotes: 397

Zurich is located in north-central Switzerland and is the largest city in the country. The residents of the Swiss city have expressed satisfaction regarding their quality of life including employment, healthcare, and public transportation system. The city ranks 17th on our list.

16. Vancouver, Canada

Upvotes: 412

The city of Vancouver is situated in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. Those living in the city have regarded its transit system, diverse cuisine, inclusive business community, and natural beauty. Hence, Vancouver is one of the best cities to live in the world in 2024.

15. Cape Town, South Africa

Upvotes: 456

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa. The city has been a known tourist destination and is one of the best cities to live and visit globally. The city’s multicultural vibe and scenic beauty attract many.

14. Vienna, Austria

Upvotes: 462

Vienna is the capital of Austria and ranks 14th on our list of some of the best cities to live in the world in 2024. Locals think of the city as a place that offers everything in one place. While cafes and theatres can be easily accessed by adults after work, the public transportation system and childcare are also reliable.

13. Seoul, South Korea

Upvotes: 487

Seoul is a populous urban area in South Korea which is a suitable place to settle. The city is a hotspot among foreigners who wish to seek living in South Korea including teachers, students, office workers, and many others.

12. Mexico City, Mexico

Upvotes: 491

The 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024 ranks Mexico City which is the capital of Mexico. It is easy to move around which makes the city a popular choice among expats. The bustling metropolis also has many employment opportunities to offer.

11. Sydney, Australia

Upvotes: 524

The capital city of the state of New South Wales, Sydney, is one of the best places to reside around the globe. The city’s natural beauty and easy access to harbors and beaches have been a major attraction.

10. Singapore, Singapore

Upvotes: 532

Singapore is one of the best cities to live in the world. It is one of the modern urban centres in Asia thereby ranking 10th on our list. The city’s food scene and nightlife are well-known. It hosts some of the best hotels and fine dining restaurants globally.

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Upvotes: 540

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is another good place to settle. The nightlife and festival activity of the city is an attraction. The Dutch capital is deemed a progressive city that can be genuinely enjoyed by residents and tourists.

8. Berlin, Germany

Upvotes: 598

Berlin is the largest city in Germany and ranks 8th on our list of the best cities to live in the world in 2024. Tourism in the capital city has made it a reputable destination globally. The city is home to a wide range of quality universities, museums, and galleries. The public transportation network is also a convenient way to move around.

7. Madrid, Spain

Upvotes: 623

The capital of Spain, Madrid, also makes it to our list of the cities considered best for living. The city is a social, cultural, and economic hub and has various perks for those settling in. Apart from the job opportunities, the Spanish capital offers a bustling city life which is not too fast-paced as compared to New York or London.

6. Copenhagen, Denmark

Upvotes: 684

Copenhagen is the most populous city in Denmark. The city strives for a better quality of life for everyone. Copenhagen has also been sustainable and is known to be one of the greenest cities in the world. The city has the 6th position among the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024.

5. Paris, France

Upvotes: 709

The world-famous Paris is another city deemed suitable for living in 2024. The city has a central location in Europe which makes it easy for one to navigate around. Museums, art galleries, and architectural landmarks in the city are quite popular.

4. Tokyo, Japan

Upvotes: 722

Tokyo is one of the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024. The city has a well-curated urban landscape other than having an efficient public transportation system. Tokyo is home to many iconic landmarks that make the city a popular destination, such as Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Skytree.

3. London, UK

Upvotes: 792

Following Barcelona, London is another renowned global city for living. While many residents feel happy living in the city, they also deem it beautiful. The city is diverse and hosts numerous nationalities and ethnicities. The city also has some of the most highly reputed academic institutions worldwide.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Upvotes: 821

The city of Barcelona comes second among the 30 best cities to live in the world in 2024. The city is positioned on the northeastern coast of Spain. Other than boasting some of the best places to eat and drink, the city has a rich cultural heritage to offer. Barcelona has also been recommended as a good place to work.

1. New York City, USA

Upvotes: 879

New York City tops the list of the best cities to live in the world in 2024. The global hub of business boasts a multitude of economic opportunities, a vibrant social scene, and cultural diversity thereby presenting something to everybody. As of April, the city stands at an all-time high for total employment, private sector employment, and labor force participation. A survey conducted by Timeout revealed that some of the greatest cities to live in and visit ranked New York City at the top based on its food, culture, nightlife, and the sense of feeling about the city. Furthermore, 15% of survey takers belonging to other cities wished to move to NYC. The city offers many historical things to witness such as the American Museum of Natural History and  The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The city never sleeps in the true sense since restaurants and bars remain open throughout the day. People who moved to NYC have also cited it as a city where ‘people come to make it’, a place where they can strive for something they aim for.

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Disclosure: None.