This European city named the best place to live in the world
WITH its storybook Old Town, gorgeous lakefront setting, and proximity to the Alps, Zurich is a desirable vacation destination for all types of travellers—outdoor lovers, culture seekers, history buffs, you name it. But Zurich isn’t just a spectacular city to visit. In fact, a new global study named it the No. 1 city in the world in which to live full-time.
The January 2026 report from digital entertainment platform JB evaluated 45 global metropolises across six key factors: quality of life, safety, healthcare access, air quality, employment, and disposable income, defined as the amount of money residents have left after rent and essential expenses have been covered. The holistic approach was designed to highlight cities that perform consistently well across all categories, rather than excelling in only one or two areas.
Although Switzerland’s largest city had a solid showing for every metric—unsurprising given its No. 1 overall ranking—the city earned especially high marks in safety, quality of life, and healthcare. A low unemployment rate of 2.9 percent further signals a strong and stable labor market, bolstered by Zurich’s role as Switzerland’s primary financial center and one of Europe’s most important banking hubs.
While Zurich—and Switzerland as a whole—are known for their high cost of living, the study highlights an important counterbalance. Zurich residents are also high earners, and retain an average of nearly $4,000 per month after essentials, more than double the average in many other top-ranked cities. This leaves plenty of funds to spend on exploring some of the city’s most eclectic neighborhoods, savoring the culinary scene, wandering through world-class museums, and shopping at chic boutiques and galleries.
The bottom line: If you’re considering an international move—or simply craving a dramatic change of scenery—Zurich may be worth a closer look. In addition to its postcard-ready setting, the city offers residents a rare blend of economic stability and everyday quality of life. All this, coupled with an efficient public transit system, vibrant neighborhoods, and easy access to hiking, skiing, and lake activities, helps explain Zurich’s newly earned and well-deserved title.
European cities secured the top six positions on JB’s most livable cities list, followed by Melbourne, Australia, at No. 7. Two U.S. cities—Seattle and Boston—claimed the eighth and tenth spots, respectively. Notably absent from the ranking? Cities in South America, Africa, and Asia—underscoring broader regional disparities tied to infrastructure, economic stability, and public services.
Check out the full list of rankings below:
Zurich, Switzerland
Copenhagen, Denmark
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vienna, Austria
Munich, Germany
Helsinki, Finland
Melbourne, Australia
Seattle, United States
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Boston, United States
