Here are the most livable and the most expensive cities in the world
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and ECA International have released their rankings of the best and most expensive cities to live in.
The EIU, sister organization of the Economist, ranked 173 cities around the world based on a number of factors, including culture, environment, education, health care, crime rate, political stability, infrastructure and access to green spaces.
Geopolitical unrest affected this year’s list, causing a decrease in Russian and Eastern European cities while Ukraine’s capital and most populous city, Kiev, was completely removed from the list.
The winners
Europe dominated the ranking, with six places in the top 11 (there was a tie for 10th place).
Switzerland was the only European country to have two places in the top 10, with Geneva in sixth place and Zurich in third.
The overall winner was Canada with three of its cities in the top 10: Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Livability and cost of living
ECA International analyzes the costs of consumer goods and services in more than 490 locations around the world and rental costs in more than 420–of which 207 cities in 120 countries were ranked in their latest report. ECA has been compiling the cost-of-living rankings biannually since 2005, helping companies ensure their employees’ ability to maintain their spending power when sent on overseas assignments.
In the ranking of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, Hong Kong ranked first.The ranking of the most expensive cities was determined solely by economic factors-average rent, gas prices and the like-unlike the EIU’s list, which takes into consideration a city’s cultural attractions, such as museums and concerts, and infrastructure such as mass transit.
Top 10 best cities to live in
1. Vienna, Austria
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
3. Zurich, Switzerland (entered the top 10 for the second year in a row)
4. Calgary, Canada
5. Vancouver, Canada
6. Geneva, Switzerland (up two positions)
7. Frankfurt, Germany
8. Toronto, Canada
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
10. Osaka, Japan and Melbourne, Australia (tied)
The most expensive cities in the world
1. Hong Kong
2. New York City
3. Geneva
4. London
5. Tokyo
6. Tel Aviv
7. Zurich
8. Shanghai
9. Guangzhou
10. Seoul