Best Cities to Live In 2026

According to our math — which weighs affordability, safety, internet, democracy, English, and climate without asking anyone's feelings about it — Leipzig (Germany) takes the #1 spot with 86/100. A 1-bed in the centre runs about $800/month, which either made you flinch or shrug depending on where you're coming from.

Bucharest (Romania), at roughly $668/month for a city-centre 1-bed. That's not a typo. Sort by "Cheapest Rent" above to see what else is out there before your landlord raises rent again.

Oslo (Norway), scoring 99/100 on our Settler Safety Score — which combines homicide rate, democracy, political stability, and whether people feel safe enough to leave their bike unlocked. Hit "Safest" above to see the full ranking.

Seoul (South Korea) leads Asia with 81/100. Filter by Asia above if you're serious — or just daydreaming at your desk. Either way, the data is there.

If you want the spreadsheet answer: #1 Leipzig (86), #2 Helsinki (85), #3 Stuttgart (84), #4 Cologne (83), #5 Porto (82). These cities scored highest across affordability, safety, internet, democracy, and more. Whether any of them will feel like home is a question no algorithm can answer — but at least you're starting with the right shortlist.

The short list: Budapest, Belgrade, Batumi, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Tamarindo — all accessible without a visa or with straightforward permits for CIS passport holders. Budapest starts at ~$918/month rent. You probably know someone who's already there. Take the quiz above to narrow it down to your priorities, not just your passport.

Cheap and actually livable — the mythical combo: Leipzig (86/100, $800/mo); Graz (78/100, $772/mo); Bucharest (77/100, $668/mo). Under $800/month rent and livability above 50. These cities prove that "affordable" doesn't have to mean "you'll hate it."