Zurich Overtakes Vienna in the Expat Livability Ranking A major shift is underway in the Austrian capital Vienna — it is no longer the most livable city for expats. Zurich, known for its high standards of living, has taken the top spot in the prestigious Mercer ranking. Interestingly, this happened after years of Vienna's lea... Topics: Life, .

Zurich Overtakes Vienna in the Expat Livability Ranking

A major shift is underway in the Austrian capital Vienna — it is no longer the most livable city for expats. Zurich, known for its high standards of living, has taken the top spot in the prestigious Mercer ranking. Interestingly, this happened after years of Vienna’s leadership.

As part of the “Quality of Living Ranking 2024,” various factors affecting quality of life were evaluated — from healthcare and education to public transportation and politics. Zurich stood out thanks to its excellent public services, low crime rate, and vibrant cultural life. However, despite its advantages, Zurich is also known for its high prices — housing and living costs there are far from cheap.

So why did Vienna lose its position? The main reason lies in the declining availability of rental housing accessible to foreign expats. Markus Kurtz from Mercer notes that this decline in rental availability negatively impacted the city’s overall rating. Despite this, Vienna still performs well in terms of internet connectivity, which can be an important factor for young people and professionals.

These ranking changes illustrate the internal dynamics of cities and highlight the importance of housing affordability in maintaining a location’s attractiveness. While Vienna remains in second place, it needs to address the housing situation to preserve its reputation as one of the best cities to live in the world. What the future holds for Vienna and its expat community, only time will tell.

Photo: How to Austria