Where's Your Happy Place?
If you could use a little more happiness in your life, you might consider moving to—or at least traveling to—one of the happiest cities in the world.
Minneapolis, United States
We'll save the happiest city for last and start with our own backyard. Ranked the happiest of all American cities, Minneapolis boasts abundant green spaces, a rich cultural scene, and engaged citizenry. It also offers a high standard of living, with ample opportunities for career advancement at the many international companies that have established headquarters there.
BpA9543, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Zurich, Switzerland
With nine of its cities ranked within the top 200 happiest places to live in the world, Switzerland is clearly getting something right! Zurich is the happiest of them all—clinching second place on the global list. Its residents enjoy an excellent quality of life with high incomes, world-class education, a strong feeling of safety and security, and strong familial and social ties.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the country’s largest city, with almost 4 million residents. It’s known for its rich history and vibrant arts and culture scene. Its high quality of life, low cost of living, and open and tolerant attitude contribute significantly to its overall happiness.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Several cities within Scandinavia consistently top the list of the happiest cities in the world. The region is noted for its high quality of life—and Gothenburg is no exception. The stunning city, located on the coast of Sweden, has a rich history and cultural life. It provides its residents with exceptional health care, education, and social welfare systems.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
With almost 1 million residents, Amsterdam is the largest—and happiest—city in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is noted for its beauty, including picturesque canals and historic architecture. Its high quality of life, affordable housing, diversity, and progressive policies contribute to the happiness of its population.
Boston, United States
Despite high housing costs, residents of Boston are among the happiest people in the United States. They reap the benefits of the city’s strong economy and enjoy its vibrant cultural scene and green spaces.
Helsinki, Finland
Located on the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki is known for its rich culture, natural beauty, and green spaces. The happiness of its residents can be attributed to a very high standard of living, with excellent health care, education, and social services. As well, the city has a low crime rate, providing a sense of safety and security.
Bristol, United Kingdom
Rich in history and culture, Bristol is known for its friendly citizens. The city boasts a highly collaborative and supportive arts and culture scene, allowing everyone from chefs to artists to musicians to flourish—and create joy for others.
Chris Lathom-Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s status as one of the world’s happiest cities is reflected in its fun, colorful architecture. The city boasts a high standard of living, an abundance of natural beauty (including beaches), and a vibrant food and drink scene.
Geneva, Switzerland
The location of Geneva—with its stunning views of Lake Geneva and the nearby Jura Mountains and Alps—provides its residents with a daily dose of beauty and joy. Further boosting the happiness of its citizens, the international organizations and businesses located in its environs provide well-paying jobs and contribute to a high standard of living.
Munich, Germany
Famous for its Oktoberfest festival, Munich is a hub of German culture, rich in history, architecture, and nightlife. The happiness of its citizens is further bolstered by its strong social welfare system and high quality of life.
Prokrust 007, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Rich in culture, Edinburgh offers endless things to do, with its historic monuments, vibrant arts scene, and numerous festivals. While the strong community spirit has a big impact on the happiness of its residents, the city also boasts a high standard of living, good health care and education systems, and abundant green spaces.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Located on Iceland’s coast, Reykjavik is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Despite the cold, dark winters, its citizens are among the happiest in the world. They enjoy the city’s vibrant cultural scene, an abundance of outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community.
Stockholm, Sweden
Beautifully situated on 14 interconnected islands, Stockholm’s stunning setting creates joy. Its high quality of life, efficient public services, low crime rate, thriving economy, and low unemployment give its citizens many more reasons to embrace happiness.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam’s welcoming and joyful spirit is reflected in the way it celebrates diversity. Home to a thriving and harmonious global community of more than 170 cultures, the city offers a rich cultural stew for residents and visitors.
Oulu, Finland
With eight of its cities ranked among the happiest in the world, it’s no surprise that Finland is the happiest country of all. Oulu, its fifth largest city, is surrounded by natural beauty. It's known for its friendly residents, who are innovative, creative—and often have a quirky sense of humor.
Vienna, Austria
Ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vienna is filled with awe-inspiring historic architecture, spectacular gardens, and legendary coffeehouses. Surrounded by all that urban beauty, is it any surprise that its residents are among the happiest in the world?
Tupungato, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Aalborg, Denmark
Aalborg, a smaller city in northern Denmark, is noted for its beautiful architecture and vibrant waterfront. Locals take pride in the city’s change from a crime-ridden industrial town to a cultural hub—no doubt contributing to the happiness they feel living there.
Tomasz Sienicki (tsca), CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Basel, Switzerland
Located on the Rhine River, Basel is a stunning city filled with historic architecture and public art installations. While the beautiful surroundings no doubt contribute to the happiness of its residents, the city also boasts a strong social services network and community-focused initiatives to increase everyone’s sense of belonging.
Alesund, Norway
Although it’s a small city with a population of less than 50,000, Alesund has a big heart. As a university town and a port, its citizenry is diverse and known for being friendly and welcoming to all. Adding to this happy vibe, the city is surrounded by stunning scenery, including the nearby Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sergey Ashmarin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brisbane, Australia
Locals in Australia’s third largest city have plenty to be happy about—including a great climate, rich cultural life, and abundant beaches and green spaces. The city has a diverse economy, lending to a high standard of living as well.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a beautiful city, featuring canals lined with stunning medieval architecture. As if living in such a scenic locale isn’t enough to be happy about, the city is also rich in culture and history, deepening the sense of pride and community among its residents.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
The capital city of Luxembourg is a terrific place to live. The happiness of its residents is elevated by high levels of personal freedom, excellent quality of life, abundant career opportunities, and a long life expectancy.
Bordeaux, France
The hub of France’s wine-growing region, Bordeaux is a stunning small city with historic architecture, beautiful riverfront views, and—of course—world-class wine. Citizens enjoy a high quality of life and access to ample cultural and recreational activities.
Cork, Ireland
With a mix of modernity and history, Cork is both cosmopolitan and charming. Its friendly, happy citizens enjoy Cork’s vibrant cultural and social scenes, ample green spaces, and high quality of life.
Cologne, Germany
Cologne has something to offer everyone, wherever they may find happiness and joy. The city has a liberal, tolerant, and relaxed vibe—and is noted for its friendly people. It has a vibrant cultural and social scene amidst its historic architecture and abundant green spaces.
Eskilstuna, Sweden
Formerly an industrial city, Eskilstuna is struggling with a high unemployment rate—but that doesn’t stop its citizens from being happy. They take tremendous pride in their efforts to make Eskilstuna the greenest city in the world, reinforcing community ties and creating connections while they do so.
Edmond Audran, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Utrecht, Netherlands
For a city of its size, Utrecht feels compact, friendly, and welcoming—projecting the happiness of its citizens. It’s a beautiful city with medieval buildings and historic architecture lining canals.
Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is one of Austria’s oldest cities and its quaint charm exudes happiness. Set in a valley, with the Alps towering above, the city combines the joys of urban living with easy access to natural beauty and recreational activities.
Espoo, Finland
While Espoo has a lot to offer as a city, much of its citizens’ joy comes from the natural beauty of its surrounding area, which is marked by a national park, 165 Baltic Sea islands, and dozens of lakes. And, of course, being Finnish, the residents of Espoo are happy for the same reason as other Finns—excellent public and social services and a high quality of living.
Osaka, Japan
Even with over 19 million residents, Osaka is one of the happiest cities in the world. That’s a lot of happiness! Its citizens enjoy a very high standard of living, with excellent public and social services and a strong economy. Its vibrant culture and nightlife scenes further contribute to happiness levels.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch may be the only city in New Zealand to land on the list of the happiest cities in the world, but it has good reason to be there. Affordable housing, a diverse and resilient economy, and excellent health care contribute to its citizens’ overall quality of life and happiness level.
Bernard Spragg., Wikimedia Commons
London, United Kingdom
It can’t be denied that London is one of the world’s greatest cultural centers. With its easy access to a wide variety of art exhibitions, theater performances, live music, museums and historic monuments, and sporting events, London can provide an instant happiness boost to just about anyone.
Singapore, Singapore
As a small city-state, Singapore is one of the world’s most prosperous countries—and its citizens reap the benefits of that prosperity. They enjoy a high standard of living, a world-class public transportation system, and well-maintained green spaces. Its vibrant arts and culture scene further bolsters the happiness of Singapore’s citizens.
Unwicked, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jonkoping, Sweden
Picturesquely set on the edge of Lake Vättern, Jönköping is a smaller city known for its happy, friendly citizens and strong sense of community. As in other Swedish cities on the list of the happiest in the world, the residents of Jönköping find joy in their liberal values, personal freedom, and trust in each other and their government.
Kontrastfoto Ljungby, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a vibrant, lively, happy city with a rich culture and history. Its citizens enjoy a high quality of living with a strong job market, stable housing, and an extensive public transportation system.
Ottawa, Canada
As the happiest city in Canada, Ottawa has a stable economy with ample opportunities for career growth and a high standard of living. Its residents are friendly, it has a vibrant arts and culture scene, and it provides easy access to Canada’s gorgeous natural beauty.
Odense, Denmark
Odense is a beautiful little city featuring colorful homes, cobblestone paths, and historic buildings. While the setting evokes joy, its residents find extra happiness in its affordable housing, ample cultural activities, and numerous green spaces.
Oslo, Norway
Oslo is nestled in a beautiful area of Norway, making it easy for residents to enjoy nature in the surrounding fjords and forests. The city itself has a rich cultural heritage and lots of green spaces to explore and find joy in. And, as for all Norwegians, they have access to excellent social welfare and education systems and an overall high quality of life.
Aarhus, Denmark
Ranked the happiest city in the world in 2024, Aarhus beautifully blends its historic roots with Danish modernism. Despite having a population of over 300,000, the city feels remarkably cozy and welcoming. Its vibrant arts, culture, and culinary scenes, and beautiful setting are part of what makes its residents so happy. This marks the third year in a row that Aarhus has taken the top spot on the list of the world's happiest cities.
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