Monocle's 2026 Quality of Life Survey: The 20 Most Liveable Cities
The 19th annual Quality of Life Survey by Monocle has identified the most livable cities globally, placing Perth and Kyoto in a tie for 20th position. Vancouver follows at 19th, with Melbourne at 18th, Seoul at 17th, Helsinki at 16th, Amsterdam at 15th, Singapore at 14th, Barcelona at 13th, Milan at 12th, Stockholm at 11th, and Oslo at 10th. This survey assesses 30 different criteria, focusing particularly on excitement, urban ambition, and security for 2026. While North American cities faced challenges, Vancouver excelled due to its robust public transport. Perth benefits from infrastructure enhancements, whereas Kyoto struggles with overtourism. Other cities like Melbourne, Seoul, and Milan are also making notable investments and improvements.
Key facts
- Perth and Kyoto tied for 20th place in Monocle's 2026 Quality of Life Survey.
- Vancouver is the only North American city on the list, ranked 19th.
- Kyoto raised accommodation tax to ¥10,000 per person per night for luxury hotels.
- Seoul's National Museum of Korea became the world's third-most-visited museum.
- Helsinki fell in rankings due to decline in high-spending tourists and remote work.
- Amsterdam has a bicycle modal share of 37% and 634km of protected bike infrastructure.
- Singapore's Changi Airport was named world's best airport for two consecutive years.
- Barcelona is the 2026 World Capital of Architecture and hosts the most conference delegates of any city.
Entities
Institutions
- Monocle
- Knight Frank
- Copenhagenize Index
- Edith Cowan University
- National Museum of Korea
- Louvre
- Vatican Museums
- Foam
- Galerie Fons Welters
- Akinci
- Economic Development Board
- Yenn and Alan Lo Foundation
- Tanoto Art Foundation
- Raffles Hotel
- Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
- The Tyee
- Rethink
- FIFA
- Web Summit
Locations
- Perth
- Australia
- Kyoto
- Japan
- Vancouver
- Canada
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Singapore
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Milan
- Italy
- Stockholm
- Sweden
- Oslo
- Norway
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Kigali
- Rwanda
- Cottesloe Beach
- Kamogawa
- Gion
- Arashiyama
- Fushimi Inari
- Kamogawa Delta
- Doshisha University
- Stanley Park
- Chinatown
- Main Street
- Burnaby Mountain
- Point Ormond Lookout
- COEX Mall
- Starfield Library
- Han River
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Allas Sea Pool
- Market Square
- Amsterdam Centraal Station
- Schiphol
- Po Valley
- New Bahru
- Parc de la Ciutadella
- Sagrada Família
- Bar Basso
- Milan Design Week
- Alps
- Liguria
- Riddarholmen
- Södermalm
- Lake Mälaren
- Djurgården
- Pålsundet
- New Slussen
- Sickla
- Central Station
- Johor Bahru
- Malaysia
- Tuas
Sources
- Monocle —