Are you looking for the best cities to live in the world? You are not alone: ​​following the American presidential election, masses of Americans are considering going abroad. So the timing couldn’t be better for InterNations’ annual expat city rankings, a report on the best places to live around the world. InterNations is the largest global community for people who live and work abroad.

This year’s winner is Valencia, Spain, which reclaims its place as the number one city in the new 2024 list. Last yearValencia came third and Malaga, Spain, won.

This year’s report is based on data from more than 12,500 expats living in 53 cities across 35 countries. The report rates cities on five key indices: quality of life, ease of living, personal finances and more. The rankings provide invaluable insight into what it’s like to live abroad, from the cost of living to job satisfaction to the ease of making friends in a new place.

Here’s what you need to know about the best cities to live in 2024, according to expats.

The best cities to live in the world: The winner

After a brief fall to third place in 2023, Valencia, who were named best city to live in the world in 2022– is back at the top spot in the 2024 list. Valencia, known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture and affordable lifestyle, scores high on the quality of life index, ranking first general. Expats are pleased with the city’s affordable public transportation (96% positive) and opportunities for recreational activities (95% positive). The city’s safety also stood out, with no respondents saying they were dissatisfied with their personal safety.

“Valencia has a pretty relaxed lifestyle. I like friendly people, good food, vibrant culture and pleasant climate,” said a Dutch expat in the report.

But Valencia is not perfect. Expats report difficulties in the foreign work index, where Valencia ranks 31st. Complaints include limited career prospects and a difficult local job market. Despite these drawbacks, expats are attracted to Valencia for its lifestyle: 27% moved here for a better quality of life.

The best cities to live in the world: Spain dominates

Valencia isn’t the only Spanish city making headlines. Spain is a big winner this year, with a total of five cities in the top 25. Malaga and Alicante took second and third place respectively, reinforcing Spain’s reputation as an expat paradise.

Malaga ranks second overall and first in ease of installation. There you can find the happiest expatriates in the world. However, the city slips in the overseas work index, falling to 44th, with expats citing challenges in career prospects and job security. However, for the 43% of retirees surveyed, Malaga remains an idyllic choice, with 99% of expats praising its sunny climate.

Alicante is another Spanish success story, placing third overall. The city stands out in the Expat Essentials Index, where it ranks seventh, thanks to affordable housing and accessible digital infrastructure. Nearly 70% of those surveyed say housing in Alicante is affordable.

Madrid lands in seventh place, while Barcelona slips to 21st, a significant drop from previous years. Despite its lower ranking this year, Barcelona still impresses with its cultural and culinary offering, which ranks among the best in the world.

The Best Cities to Live in the World: Other Global Highlights

Beyond Spain, the top 10 cities reflect diverse geographies and lifestyles. Panama City and Mexico City round out the top five, excelling in terms of personal finance and ease of settling in. Panama City stands out for its affordability, while Mexico City offers a vibrant cultural scene and a strong social scene.

Bangkok, Thailand, comes in sixth place, with expats appreciating its low cost of living and welcoming atmosphere. Other top performers include two UAE cities – Abu Dhabi (8th) and Dubai (9th) – which shine in terms of expat essentials, thanks to affordable housing, efficient administration and digital infrastructure robust.

The Best Cities to Live in the World: How the US and Canada Fared

For the second year in a row, no U.S. city made the top 25. New York, the highest-ranked U.S. city in 2023, fell to 45th place after ranking 39th last year. The problem: ongoing challenges with affordability and work-life balance. While expats appreciate the city’s cultural and gastronomic options, many report housing difficulties and a high cost of living. “The cost of living here is exorbitant and it seems impossible to save,” one person interviewed in the report said.

Canadian cities are doing even worse this year. Vancouver drops to last place (53), while Toronto ranks at 51. Housing costs are a major issue in both cities, with Vancouver earning the unfortunate distinction of being the least affordable city for housing in the world . Vancouver also suffers from limited career prospects. Nearly 30% of expatriates say they are actively looking for work, three times the global average. The city also receives poor marks for its social scene, with 63% saying it’s difficult to make local friends.

Read on for lists of the 25 best cities to live in the world and the 10 worst-ranked cities to live in. You can also see the full list hereaccompanied by comments from survey respondents.

Ranked: The 25 Best Cities to Live in the World

1. Valencia, Spain
2. Málaga, Spain
3. Alicante, Spain
4. Panama City, Panama
5. Mexico City, Mexico
6. Bangkok, Thailand
7. Madrid, Spain
8. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
10. Vienna, Austria
11. Lisbon, Portugal
12. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
13. Basel, Switzerland
14. Muscat, Oman
15. Athens, Greece
16. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
17. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
18. Amsterdam, Netherlands
19. Copenhagen, Denmark
20. Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
21. Barcelona, ​​Spain
22. Zurich, Switzerland
23. Stockholm, Sweden
24. Taipei, Taiwan
25. Nairobi, Kenya

The 10 worst-ranked cities in the world to live in

1. Vancouver, Canada (ranked 53 out of 53 countries total)
2. Hamburg, Germany (ranked 52nd out of 53 countries overall)
3. Toronto, Canada (ranked 51 out of 53 countries total)
4. Munich, Germany (ranked 50 out of 53 total countries)
5. Istanbul, Türkiye (ranked 49 out of 53 total countries)
6. Cologne, Germany (ranked 48th out of 53 countries overall)
7. Milan, Italy (ranked 47 out of 53 total countries)
8. Berlin, Germany (ranked 46 out of 53 total countries)
9. Frankfurt, Germany (ranked 45th out of 53 countries overall)
10. Rome, Italy (ranked 53 out of 53 total countries)

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