Looking for the best cities to live in the world, as well as the best places to live in the U.S.? Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranks the best places to live in the Global Liveability Index 2023.
This year, the Index covers 172 cities, with rankings based on a number of categories, including stability, healthcare, culture, education and infrastructure.
This year, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, took the third and fourth spots. “The Australian cities, which bounced up and down the rankings during the pandemic, are now in third and fourth place. They have seen their scores in the healthcare category improve since last year, when they were still affected by Covid waves that stressed their healthcare systems,” wrote the authors of the report.
Ranked: The 20 Best Cities to Live in the World
Vienna, Austria
Copenhagen, Denmark
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Vancouver, Canada
Zurich, Switzerland
Calgary, Canada
Geneva, Switzerland
Toronto, Canada
Osaka, JapanAuckland, New Zealand
Adelaide, Australia
Perth, Australia
Helsinki, Finland
Tokyo, Japan
Brisbane, Australia
Frankfurt, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Luxembourg
Amsterdam, Netherlands
1. Melbourne
As the sporting and cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has plenty to offer visitors from all over the world. From the rooftop bars and designer boutiques that give the city a cosmopolitan feel, to its plentiful array of historical buildings and landmarks — Melbourne has something new to discover on every corner.You can immerse yourself in Melbourne’s rich Victorian heritage at the Royal Exhibition Building, one of the oldest remaining exhibition pavilions in the world. Or walk a mile in the shoes of the early western settlers, who found themselves paying for their crimes in the eerie but fascinating Melbourne Gaol.
If food is your thing, Melbourne will certainly not disappoint. From traditional Aussie fare to cool contemporary cuisine, there’s a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bistros, and bars to keep your taste buds tempted. A nice cool beer is always on the menu, and so are some of the finest wines in Australia, many of which are produced in the neighboring wine regions and breweries of Victoria.
2. Sydney
Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales. The city is wrapped around the beautiful and iconic Sydney Harbour. This is one of Australia’s oldest, biggest and most diverse cities. From the center of downtown out to the suburbs, there is an endless array of charming and interesting things to see. The dazzling sites of Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge complement each other. The historic city center is a fascinating place to spend the day. The many beaches surrounding the city and Blue Mountains National Park—a World Heritage Site—are great places to either relax or be active.
