# Global Cities Index 2026: Quality of Life Rankings European cities dominate the top quality of life rankings in Oxford Economics report. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7da00a41-1081-4520-a568-885749435eae ## Oxford Economics 2026 Methodology The 2026 Global Cities Index evaluated 1,000 cities worldwide using five distinct categories. Quality of life accounts for 25% of the total score, incorporating specific economic indicators like income equality and housing expenditure. Mark Britton, managing director of city services, emphasized that these metrics provide a comprehensive view of urban progress. ## European Urban Dominance European cities overwhelmingly dominate the top 20 rankings for quality of life. While US cities perform exceptionally well in overall economic metrics, they struggle to maintain similar standards within the quality of life category. Only one US city, San Jose, managed to secure a position among the top 20 global leaders. ## US Economic Versus Social Performance The report highlights a significant gap between economic output and social well-being in the United States. Although eight US cities appear in the top 20 for overall performance, with New York taking the top spot, their quality of life scores remain lower. This indicates that economic strength does not always guarantee high-quality living. ## Top Tier Quality Leaders Canberra, Australia, leads the global rankings with a perfect quality of life score of 100. Bergen, Norway, follows in second place with a score of 94.3, while Singapore secures the third position with 91.6. These cities demonstrate that high quality of life is achievable across diverse geographic and economic environments globally. ## Mid-Range European Performers Cities like Grenoble, France, and Bern, Switzerland, occupy the fourth and fifth spots with scores of 90.8 and 89.8 respectively. Oslo, Norway, ranks sixth with 89.3. These European hubs consistently leverage their infrastructure and economic policies to maintain high standards, reflecting a broader regional trend of prioritizing social and environmental living conditions. ## Diverse Global Representation The list includes a mix of major capitals and regional centers. Luxembourg, Dresden, and Ghent occupy positions seven through nine, all scoring above 88. Paris rounds out the top ten with a quality of life score of 88.1. This diversity shows that size does not strictly dictate the quality of life outcomes. ## Consistency in Lower Rankings Positions 11 through 20 feature cities like Basel, Linz, and San Jose, all maintaining scores between 86.3 and 88. Stuttgart, Prague, and Sydney also appear in this tier. These rankings illustrate that even cities outside the top ten maintain robust standards, often balancing economic growth with essential social and housing accessibility metrics. ## Future Urban Strategic Outlook The index serves as a tool for understanding how cities evolve under changing conditions. By comparing metrics like housing expenditure and income equality, stakeholders can identify where cities are heading rather than just their current status. This data-driven approach helps in forecasting urban development paths and improving long-term resident well-being across global markets. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/global-cities-best-quality-of-life-ranked-2026 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._