<p>Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit crunches the numbers on everything from healthcare and education to culture and sport to rank the world’s most liveable cities.</p> <p>We’re here to figure out who will claim the title of, ‘the best city in the world.’ And, to find out if Australia’s best cities are in with a shot.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Pack your bags, check your passport, and dive into our tips and predictions for the 2026 Global Liveability Rankings below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Best Cities to Live in the World: The Outside Contenders</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Auckland (New Zealand)</h3> <p>The ‘City of Sails’ offers a stunning balance of urban life and natural beauty. Surrounded by volcanic mountains, lush greenery and constant chants of ‘Up the Wahs,’ New Zealand has a piece of paradise in Auckland.</p> <p>With world class food, wine and people, Aotearoa’s largest city is a strong contender for the top ten.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide (Australia)</h3> <p>Adelaide is a city of natural beauty, surrounded by stunning parklands, vineyards and rolling hills. Home to the Barossa Valley and the Hilltop Hoods, Adelaide has transformed into a hub of culture, arts and sport.</p> <p>With a bustling nightlife, stunning beaches and now&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/results/betting/golf/liv-golf-promotions-overall/liv-golf-promotions-outright-winner-10015628">LIV Golf</a>, the SA capital is an underrated place to live, well deserving of a spot in the top 10. Maybe they were right to call it ‘Radelaide.’</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Osaka (Japan)</h3> <p>The motto of Osaka is, ‘Kuidaore,’ which literally translates to ‘eat until you drop’. A foodie’s paradise, packed with bustling bars, markets and culture.</p> <p>Once you’ve eaten enough, eat some more. Then take a trip to Universal Studios Japan, an amusement park for all ages. Despite the hustle of a big city, Osaka’s streets are devoid of litter, the efficiency and community-pride of the locals is a sight in itself.</p> <p>The highest-ranking Asian city in 2025, Osaka is a shoe in for a place in the top 10.</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Calgary (Canada)</h3> <p>In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains sits the highest-ranking American city, Calgary. With pristine water flowing from the mountains, blue-bird days and low income tax, what’s not to love about living in Calgary.</p> <p>There are worse teams to support than eight-time&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ice-hockey-us">NHL Champions</a> the Calgary Flames, why not give it a try?</p> <p>An underrated Canadian city, particularly if you’re into shredding that powder on the nearby slopes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The World’s Most Liveable Cities: Sydney vs Melbourne</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney (Australia)</h3> <p>The harbour city is rising up the list and is an outside chance to beat Melbourne in their <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/novelties-and-entertainment/heated-rivalry/heated-rivalry-10018715">Heated Rivalry.</a></p> <p>A cultural melting pot, famous for the stunning Sydney Harbour, Opera House and world class beaches. Sydney is a unique place to live and with legends like the Penrith Panthers and Tai Tuivasa putting the West on the map, the city can only go up from here.</p> <p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league">rugby league</a> fans paradise with nine NRL clubs, the only thing harder than choosing a team will be buying a house. Or going out past midnight in the city, or driving, or supporting the Blues between 2006-2013.</p> <p>Sydney is undoubtedly an iconic place on the world stage, a fun and beautiful city that encourages an active outdoor lifestyle. But maybe just a place for a holiday?</p> <p>Could beat Melbourne, but unlikely to challenge for the world title.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne (Australia)</h3> <p>Australia’s cultural capital ranked at #4 in 2025, with top marks for healthcare and education. But Melbourne’s true value lies in its obsession with sport.</p> <p>The MCG is a monument to what makes Australia great, the Boxing Day Test, 100 000 fans going feral weekly at any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/outrights">AFL match</a>, even three Taylor Swift concerts in a row, why not?</p> <p>The home of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/mens-australian-open">Australian Open</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1">Australian Grand Prix</a>, Melbourne is the best place to live if you’re a sports fan.</p> <p>Like any city, Melbourne has downsides, traffic isn’t great and there is graffiti on every public surface, but you don’t need to worry about all that when the footies on. An outside smoky for taking out the top gong.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Most Liveable Cities in the World: The Frontrunners</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geneva (Switzerland)</h3> <p>Nicknamed the ‘Peace Capital,’ Geneva is the home of Rolex watches, where efficiency meets elegance.</p> <p>Geneva is one of the most expensive cities on the list, filled with diplomats from the UN headquarters and expats from across the globe. But with breathtaking views, pristine water and a virtual guarantee of peace, we can understand why people love to live there.&nbsp;</p> <p>After coming in 5th last year, a win may be a step too far for this chocolate loving city.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Zurich (Switzerland)</h3> <p>Zurich tied for the silver medal in the 2025 rankings and it’s not hard to see why.</p> <p>In the summer, you’re diving into the pristine Lake Zurich, in the winter, you’re just 30 minutes from shredding the Swiss Alps. It’s a city that manages to be a global financial powerhouse while feeling like a scenic mountain retreat.</p> <p>Zurich is the gold standard for healthcare, wealth and education, a strong chance of being crowned the world’s most liveable city in 2026.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Vienna – (Austria)</h3> <p>After a three-year streak at the top, Vienna was nudged into second place in 2025.</p> <p>Vienna is an historic city, architecturally magnificent, filled with history and wiener schnitzel. With affordable housing, unmatched public transport systems and mountain spring water on tap, Vienna has a good chance to regain its crown.</p> <p>Also known for its low crime rates and generous work-life balance, we can understand if everyone wants to move to Vienna. But there’s no rush, Vienna waits for you.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Copenhagen – (Denmark)</h3> <p>Copenhagen set the benchmark in 2025, topping the Economist Global Liveability rankings. The only Scandinavian city on the list, Copenhagen has an obsession with bicycles with even politicians cycling to work.</p> <p>Whether you’re having a stroll through the world-famous Tivoli gardens or catching an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-champions-league/barcelona-v-fc-copenhagen-10049618">FC Copenhagen match</a>, the city exudes an air of freedom and equality that’s hard to find anywhere else. It’s clean, green and currently the best place on Earth to call home.</p> <p>However, high taxes and cost of living in Copenhagen might be its undoing in the 2026 Global Liveability Rankings.</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/novelties-and-entertainment/worlds-most-liveable-city/2026-economist-global-liveability-index-rankings-9370824">Vienna</a></p>