Thinking of Moving Abroad? These Cities Expats Love (or Hate)

If you’re considering a move abroad, choosing the right city can make all the difference. The 2024 Expat City Ranking, based on insights from over 12,500 expatriates, reveals the best and worst cities for expats worldwide.

With factors like quality of life, financial satisfaction, and ease of settling in under scrutiny, the results are both inspiring and surprising.

10 Best Cities for Expats in 2024

The 10 best cities for expats in 2024 showcase a mix of affordability, quality of life, and cultural richness.

Valencia, Spain, tops the list for its vibrant lifestyle, affordable cost of living, and excellent public transportation.

Málaga and Alicante, also in Spain, follow closely, with their sunny climates, welcoming communities, and ease of settling in.

Panama City and Mexico City join the top five, offering financial advantages and dynamic cultural scenes.

Rounding out the list are Ras Al Khaimah, Madrid, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, which impress expats with their modern infrastructure, safety, and opportunities for both leisure and career growth. These cities stand out as havens for expats seeking comfort, convenience, and community.

Why Valencia Tops the Chart

Valencia, Spain, regained its crown as the best city for expats in 2024. It also ranks first in the Quality of Life and Personal Finance Indicators.

Valencia is renowned for its high quality of life, affordable living, and exceptional public transportation. It offers expats an appealing blend of comfort and accessibility.

No respondent in Valencia (0%) had anything negative to say about the affordability of public transportation (vs. 15% globally), opportunities for recreational sport (vs. 11%), or their personal safety (vs. 8%). In fact, more than nine in ten expats rated these factors favorably, up to 96% for public transportation costs (vs. 70%). More than three in four expats (77%) are also satisfied with the general cost of living (vs. 40% globally) and their financial situation (vs. 54%).

Valencia’s drawback is in Working Abroad (31st) — but this is already an improvement from the bottom 10 in 2022 (41st). Expats aren’t impressed by the local job market (46% negative responses vs. 31% globally) or their improved career prospects upon relocating (38% negative responses vs. 21%). Nevertheless, they feel that they’re paid fairly for their work (1st) and enjoy their work–life balance (3rd). If you already have a remote job, Valencia is the city to seriously consider moving to.

Working abroad isn’t what drew expats to Valencia anyway: only 8% of respondents cite job-related reasons (vs. 35% globally). The main deciding factor was a better quality of life (27% vs. 9%).

Experience the magic of vacationing in Valencia and see its vibrant life unfold before your eyes.

Málaga: The Happiest City for Expats

Málaga may have slipped to second place after leading the 2023 rankings, but it remains a haven for social connections and happiness. With the happiest expats in the world, Málaga excels at fostering a sense of belonging. The city features the happiest expats (1st), in part due to a smooth Ease of Settling In (1st). Respondents reported feeling welcomed and at home, and many benefit from strong personal networks.

However lively the social life, the Working Abroad Index (44th) indicates serious career challenges, especially considering that the city ranked 13th in the 2023 index. All four subcategories of the index worsened in performance, from Work & Leisure (9th) losing its 1st place to Career Prospects (51st) slipping to the bottom 3 from the 36th spot.

Concerns surround the local job market (49% negative responses vs. 31% globally) and personal career opportunities (39% vs. 25%). And only 38% of expats are satisfied with their job security (vs. 56%).

However, for over two in five respondents in Málaga (43%), these issues are irrelevant as they’re retired (vs. 11% globally). They can freely enjoy their Personal Finances (3rd) and Quality of Life (5th), including the sunshine. Almost all expats there (99%) are happy with the climate & weather (vs. 58% globally); 85% even give this factor the best possible rating (vs. 25%).

Alicante: Affordable Living in a Coastal Paradise

Alicante rounds out the top three cities, with its affordability and ease of access to essentials attracting expats. Housing costs in Alicante are particularly noteworthy, with 68% of respondents rating them positively—double the global average. Finding housing is also significantly easier here compared to most cities.

Over two-thirds of respondents in Alicante (68%) rate the affordability of housing positively, double the global average of 34%. And a similar share (62%) says it’s easy to find (vs. 45% globally).

The Digital Life Subcategory (16th) is also decent: expats have unrestricted access to online services like social media (1st), and it’s easy to pay without cash (8th). However, the online availability of government services lags behind (24% negative responses vs. 22% globally). This spills over into Admin Topics (29th), where expats may struggle with the local bureaucracy/authorities (55% negative responses vs. 42%).

Alicante’s Working Abroad Index (41st) is its only index to not make the top 10. Career Prospects (50th) is again in the bottom for a third Spanish city, and job security (47th) is a concern. What’s more, less than half of expats there (47%) agree that the local business culture supports flexibility (vs. 56% globally).

But as in the top 2 cities, working abroad isn’t the draw for Alicante. More than half of respondents (56%) are either retired, not doing any paid work, or aren’t looking for a job (vs. 21% globally).

10 Worst Cities for Expats in 2024

The 10 worst cities for expats in 2024 highlight challenges like high costs, limited career prospects, and difficulties settling in.

Vancouver ranks at the very bottom due to unaffordable housing, financial dissatisfaction, and a lack of social opportunities.

Hamburg and Toronto also fare poorly, with complaints about bureaucracy, high living costs, and limited job satisfaction. German cities dominate the lower rankings, including Munich, Cologne, Berlin, and Frankfurt, where cultural barriers and administrative hurdles frustrate expats.

Milan and Rome, despite their historical charm, struggle with affordability and career opportunities.

Istanbul rounds out the bottom 10, plagued by economic instability and poor recreational facilities.

These cities serve as cautionary tales for expats prioritizing ease of living and career stability.

City to Avoid: Vancouver

At the other end of the spectrum, Vancouver ranks as the worst city for expats in 2024. High living costs and poor housing affordability dominate complaints, with Vancouver ranking last in this category. Financial dissatisfaction is widespread, with 52% of expats unhappy with their financial situation, compared to a global average of 26%.

Making friends in Vancouver also proves challenging—63% of respondents found it difficult to form local connections. While the city’s natural beauty and good air quality received praise, these positives couldn’t offset its other shortcomings, including a lackluster nightlife and cultural offerings.

Hamburg narrowly escapes the bottom spot, ranking 52nd. Known for its bureaucratic challenges and housing difficulties, Hamburg also struggles with fostering a welcoming environment for expats. Less than half of respondents in Hamburg felt welcome, and many cited struggles adapting to the local culture.

Toronto, which ranked 51st, faces similar issues. Rising unemployment and high living costs have tarnished its reputation, with expats particularly dissatisfied with their financial situations. Toronto’s quality of life, once a strong point, has also declined, further solidifying its position near the bottom.

Key Trends Among the Top and Bottom Cities

Spain shines in the rankings, with four cities—Valencia, Málaga, Alicante, and Madrid—earning spots in the top ten. These cities offer a combination of excellent quality of life, affordability, and a welcoming atmosphere. Madrid, ranked seventh, even managed to outperform its fellow Spanish cities in career opportunities, offering a better balance between work and leisure.

Conversely, German cities struggle to appeal to expats. Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Berlin, and Frankfurt all feature in the bottom ten, largely due to cultural barriers and administrative hurdles. Expats in Germany often cite difficulties in making friends and adapting to the local way of life, making it a less desirable destination.

Italy’s two entries, Milan and Rome, also fare poorly, ranking 47th and 44th respectively. Despite their rich history and cultural significance, these cities fall short in areas like affordability and career prospects. Expats often find the local bureaucracy overwhelming, further dampening their experience.

What Expats Value Most

The 2024 rankings underscore a clear trend: expats prioritize quality of life and affordability over career prospects. Cities like Valencia and Málaga thrive because they offer an enjoyable lifestyle, safety, and social opportunities, even if their job markets leave something to be desired. Conversely, cities like Vancouver and Hamburg struggle because high costs and administrative challenges overshadow their positive attributes.

Whether you’re looking for a sunny coastal retreat or a city with a thriving expat community, the Expat City Ranking is a valuable resource to guide your decision. Will you choose a top-rated gem like Valencia, or take a chance on a city further down the list?