Zurich has topped the list of best cities for expats in 2024, as revealed by Mercer’s annual quality of life report.
The Swiss city earned the top spot for its excellent public services, low crime rate, vibrant cultural scene, and strong infrastructure, all backed by a commitment to sustainability. The city also enhanced its air connectivity with new flights to destinations like Seoul, Shanghai, Washington, and Toronto.
Zurich, home to over 400,000 foreign nationals, offers a high standard of living but comes with a high cost. The cost of living is 71.8% higher than in Vienna, which placed second, and rental prices are 127.6% higher. However, higher wages help offset these costs, making Zurich comfortable for expats once they start earning.
Switzerland dominates the top 10, with Geneva ranking third, while Vienna dropped to second place. Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt rounded out the top five. Notably, Stockholm and Lisbon saw significant improvements, while Stuttgart fell 20 places, partly due to infrastructure challenges.
Mercer also listed the world’s worst cities for expats, with Khartoum in Sudan at the bottom, followed by Baghdad, Bangui, Sana’a, and Port-au-Prince. Some U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, showed significant improvement, with LA rising 26 places.
