Best European Cities 2024: Quality of Life in Europe

The European Commission published in 2023 the most comprehensive study on quality of life in European cities, interviewing over 70,000 people across 83 cities. If you are planning to move to Europe, this guide brings all the data you need about satisfaction, safety, housing, employment and inclusion in the continent's main cities.

What the European Commission's Quality of Life Study Reveals

The Survey on Quality of Life in European Cities 2023 is the sixth edition of a survey conducted by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. Since 2007, this study has monitored how residents perceive quality of life in their cities, covering capitals and major urban centers across the European Union, EFTA, United Kingdom, Western Balkans and Turkey.

The results are fundamental for anyone planning a move to Europe, whether through Italian citizenship, Portuguese or Spanish, as they reveal important trends about where to live best on the European continent.

Overall Satisfaction: 9 in 10 Europeans Are Satisfied with Their Cities

One of the main findings is that 9 out of 10 residents are satisfied living in their cities. However, there are significant differences between regions and countries that deserve attention for those planning to relocate.

Cities with Highest Satisfaction

Northern European cities consistently lead in satisfaction indices:

Capitals vs. Other Cities

An interesting finding is that non-capital cities frequently show higher satisfaction levels than capitals. On average, 85% of capital residents are satisfied, compared to 88% in other cities. This is mainly due to:

• Lower cost of living
• Less congestion and pollution
• Greater sense of community
• Better access to reasonably priced housing

Changes Between 2019 and 2023

Between 2019 and 2023, satisfaction slightly decreased in most cities. The largest drops were recorded in:

• London: 85% (-8 percentage points)
• Vienna: 87% (-6 pp)
• Bologna: 87% (-6 pp)

On the other hand, some cities improved significantly:

• Belgrade: 69% (+6 pp)
• Skopje: 72% (+4 pp)
• Liège: 89% (+3 pp)

Job Market: Where Is It Easier to Find Employment

For those moving to Europe seeking professional opportunities, the study provides important data on labor market perception in each city.

Cities with Best Job Markets

The cities where residents consider it easiest to find a good job are:

Capitals average 51% satisfaction with employment opportunities, while other cities stand at 44%. People with higher education levels tend to have a more positive view (49%) than those with less formal education (41%).

Housing: The Great Challenge of European Cities

Affordable housing is the most critical point revealed by the study. On average, only 28% of capital residents and 39% of other city residents find it easy to find good housing at a reasonable price.

Cities with Best Housing/Price Ratio

Cities where it is easier to find affordable housing include:

• Burgas (Bulgaria): High housing satisfaction index
• Heraklion (Greece): Good options at moderate prices
• Piatra Neamt (Romania): Excellent cost-benefit

Cities with Greatest Difficulty

On the other hand, cities like Lisbon, Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris present the greatest challenges for finding affordable housing. In Lisbon, for example, only 16% find it easy to find good housing, reflecting the real estate boom of recent years.

For those planning to move to Portugal or Spain, it is essential to consider secondary cities like Porto, Braga, Valencia or Seville, which offer better cost-benefit ratios.

Transport and Mobility

Urban mobility is a crucial factor in quality of life. The study reveals interesting patterns about how Europeans commute:

Public Transport Satisfaction

Cities with the best public transport ratings are:

• Vienna: 91% satisfaction
• Bratislava: 89%
• Oulu (Finland): 89%
• Liège (Belgium): 89%

Larger cities (1-5 million inhabitants) show higher public transport usage (47%) compared to smaller cities (35%), while car usage is inversely proportional to city size.

Safety: Where Europeans Feel Safest

Safety is a determining factor in choosing where to live. The study asked residents if they feel safe walking alone at night.

Safest Cities

Smaller cities (75% satisfaction) are perceived as safer than large cities (67%). Northern European cities consistently lead in safety indices.

Environmental Quality: Air, Noise and Cleanliness

Environmental quality varies significantly across European regions:

Smaller cities (under 250,000 inhabitants) show significantly better indices: 72% satisfaction with air quality versus 58% in cities of 1-5 million inhabitants.

Inclusion: A Europe for Everyone

The study also evaluates how different groups are received in European cities:

Most LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Cities

The most inclusive cities for the LGBTIQ+ community are:

• Copenhagen: 94%
• Munich: 93%
• Groningen: 93%

Smaller cities are perceived as better for families with children (88% vs. 77% in large cities) and for the elderly (83% vs. 75%).

Corruption Perception in Public Administration

Perceived corruption in local public administration varies significantly:

• Northern Europe: Only 32% perceive corruption
• Southern Europe: 63% perceive corruption
• Capitals: 58%
• Other cities: 49%

The study confirms that the lower the perception of corruption, the higher the overall satisfaction with the city.

Focus on Italian Cities

For those seeking Italian citizenship, the study offers important insights about the country's main cities:

Rome

• Overall satisfaction: ~75%
• Challenges: expensive housing, heavy traffic
• Strengths: culture, history, opportunities

Bologna

• Overall satisfaction: 87%
• Highlight: +13 pp in job ease
• Recognized for quality of life and universities

Other Italian Cities

Turin, Naples, Palermo and Verona were also evaluated, with Verona showing a +8 pp improvement in LGBTIQ+ inclusion.

Conclusions: Where to Live in Europe in 2024

The European Commission study reveals important trends for those planning to move to Europe:

1. Smaller cities offer better overall quality of life - lower cost, more safety, better environment
2. Northern Europe leads in almost all indicators, but with higher cost of living
3. Housing is the biggest challenge in virtually all major cities
4. Secondary cities are on the rise - Cluj-Napoca, Bologna, Liège show major improvements
5. Europe is increasingly inclusive, especially in capitals and university cities

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European city with the best quality of life?

According to the 2023 study, Copenhagen (Denmark) leads in overall satisfaction (95%), safety (87%) and inclusion. Other top cities include Stockholm, Luxembourg and Oslo.

Is it better to live in capitals or other cities in Europe?

The study shows that non-capital cities often offer better quality of life: more affordable housing, less pollution, greater safety and lower costs, while maintaining good infrastructure.

Which Italian cities have the best quality of life?

Among the Italian cities evaluated, Bologna stands out with 87% satisfaction and significant improvement in the job market. Verona and Turin also show good indices.

How is the job market in European cities?

Prague (79%), Cluj-Napoca (73%) and Munich (72%) lead in perceived ease of finding employment. Bologna had the largest improvement (+13 pp) between 2019 and 2023.

Which European cities are safest?

Copenhagen, Oviedo (Spain) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) lead with 87% of residents feeling safe at night. Nordic cities consistently show the best safety indices.

Where is it easiest to find housing in Europe?

Affordable housing is scarce across Europe, but Eastern European cities (Bulgaria, Romania) and smaller cities in general offer better options. Lisbon, Dublin and Paris are the most difficult.

Are European cities inclusive for immigrants?

On average, 73% of Europeans consider their cities good for immigrants. Non-capital cities (75%) are slightly more welcoming than capitals (70%).

What is the air quality in European cities?

Northern Europe (80% satisfaction) significantly outperforms the south (48%). Smaller cities also show better air quality (72%) than large centers (58%).

Source: Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities 2023 - European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. Supplementary data from ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics).