What makes a city truly great in today’s world? The 2025 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance and Ipsos ranks the top 100 global cities, spotlighting how they excel in livability, culture, and economic opportunity. This year’s report, celebrating a decade of rankings, adds fresh perspectives with insights from over 22,000 people across 30 countries.
From London’s enduring leadership to Sydney’s remarkable rise, the rankings reveal how cities are adapting to post-pandemic realities, sustainability demands, and shifting global perceptions. Explore the key movers, the trends driving change, and the qualities shaping the future of urban life.
World’s 10 Best Cities, According to Resonance
| Rank | City |
| 1 | London |
| 2 | New York |
| 3 | Paris |
| 4 | Tokyo |
| 5 | Singapore |
| 6 | Rome |
| 7 | Madrid |
| 8 | Barcelona |
| 9 | Berlin |
| 10 | Sydney |
Key Takeaways
The report highlights the enduring appeal of major global cities despite challenges like post-pandemic recovery and geopolitical instability. Large cities continue to attract global attention for their cultural offerings, economic opportunities, and overall livability. At the same time, remote work trends and environmental sustainability are reshaping urban dynamics, helping smaller and secondary cities gain prominence.
Six European cities, led by London and Paris, continue to dominate the top ranks with London maintaining its top position for the 10th consecutive year. Meanwhile, New York, ranked second, indicates urban recovery within the USA as tourism and infrastructure investments make a strong resurgence. Other American cities, however, faced mixed results due to challenges like affordability and safety perceptions.
In Asia, cities are gaining momentum. Tokyo and Singapore demonstrate strong performances, with Tokyo leveraging its economic and cultural strengths and Singapore advancing with sustainable urban development and tech sector growth.
The report underscores the growing emphasis on sustainability, as rising cities investing in green spaces, pedestrian-friendly initiatives, and public transportation saw notable gains. Notably, Sydney’s improved perception and infrastructure allowed it to rise 25 places to take tenth position.
Cities on the Move
| City | Change in Rank | New Rank |
| Portland | +40 | 39 |
| Calgary | +39 | 54 |
| Ottawa | +38 | 52 |
| Atlanta | +34 | 31 |
| Baltimore | +33 | 67 |
| Miami | +31 | 23 |
| Las Vegas | +30 | 29 |
| Taipei | -34 | 76 |
| Warsaw | -34 | 74 |
| Doha | -37 | 73 |
| Rio de Janeiro | -37 | 100 |
| Athens | -39 | 87 |
| São Paulo | -48 | 75 |
| Hong Kong | -51 | 97 |
The upward move of cities like Sydney, which rose 25 places, underscores the importance of public perception and urban development.
Overall, North American cities made significant upward strides in the rankings. Portland rose 40 places, driven by its innovative urban policies and high livability, leading to increasing appeal to young professionals. Calgary climbed 39 spots, showcasing its young educated population and remaining a strong player in energy. Ottawa’s 38-rank leap reflects its growing reputation as a hub for good governance and innovation.
Other U.S. cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami and Las Vegas also rose, a testament to their vibrant cultural scenes, economic and tourism growth, and urban renewal.
Conversely, some cities saw sharp declines. Hong Kong dropped 51 places to rank 97th, impacted by geopolitical tensions. Brazilian cities São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro experienced significant declines due to poor livability and prosperity, with Rio falling 37 places to the bottom of the list at 100th.
In Europe, Athens and Warsaw each fell 39 and 34 places respectively, highlighting a lack of necessary infrastructure to increase livability and appeal.
Key Trends
In 2025, successful cities are defined by their resilience, innovation, and adaptability. No longer relying solely on historical significance or economic power, these cities are constantly reinventing themselves to address emerging challenges. London exemplifies this evolution, with the Elizabeth Line expansion reinforcing its commitment to connectivity and progress. Similarly, Paris leveraged the global stage of the 2024 Summer Olympics to highlight its pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and bold urban development initiatives.
Sustainability
Sustainability has shifted from a niche concern to a core urban strategy. Cities like Sydney, Madrid, and Barcelona are leading the way with green urban designs and extensive urban forest networks that enhance quality of life.
Economic resilience
Dynamic cities are turning economic challenges into opportunities. Singapore continues to thrive as a global business hub, combining efficient infrastructure with a supportive environment for innovation. Berlin, meanwhile, attracts global talent with its diverse, affordable ecosystem that fosters creativity and entrepreneurial growth.
The power of perception
Public perception has become a critical factor in a city’s global standing. Hong Kong, for example, has seen a significant decline due to political instability, while Sydney’s rise is driven by its lifestyle appeal and environmental quality.
Methodology
Resonance’s rankings consider cities with populations over one million, using core statistics and user-generated data from platforms like Google, Tripadvisor and Instagram. Metrics span educational attainment, air quality, nightlife, and more.
The 2025 report refined its approach with the Place Power™ Score, creating three pillars: Livability, Lovability and Prosperity. It integrates perception data reflecting the opinions and preferences of more than 22,000 respondents across 30 countries to holistically assess urban desirability. The questionnaires aim to understand which cities they would most like to live in and visit, and where they would find job opportunities. The report highlights that open-ended questions prevent survey participants from being restricted to a predetermined list of cities.
For the full ranking and methodology, visit WorldsBestCities.com
Conclusion
The 2025 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance and Ipsos aligns closely with the insights from the Brand Finance Global City Index, reaffirming the critical role of sustainability, innovation, and adaptability in shaping urban success. Cities like Sydney exemplify this synergy, with strategic public investments enhancing both environmental quality and livability—key trends emphasised in both reports.
Conversely, cities that fail to address challenges such as governance, economic stability, and social equity risk losing relevance on the global stage. As highlighted across both rankings, the ability to integrate sustainability, technological advancement, and inclusive urban strategies will define the next generation of urban excellence.
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