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As far as accolades go, Cape Town is on a winning streak. The Mother City was just named the world’s most beautiful city by our very own Time Out global audience survey. And now it’s earned another honour as Africa’s second-best city to live in.
A June 2026 report by JB.com assessed urban living across Africa using seven factors that shape everyday life: quality of life, safety, healthcare, disposable income, pollution, traffic congestion, and internet speed.
Kigali takes the lead
Kigali, Rwanda, claimed the top spot overall.
“We spend so much time online comparing places to live: scrolling photos, checking forums, reading guides. But when you strip all that away and look at the numbers, the cities that actually make life easier aren’t always the ones with the best marketing,” said a JB.com travel analyst.
“Kigali won because it simply gets the basics right: you feel safe, you can afford to live, and the air doesn’t hurt your lungs. You don’t have to choose one thing at the expense of another, and that kind of balance is what makes a city truly livable.”
All we do is win
Cape Town recorded a Quality of Life Index of 160.4, one of the highest scores in the entire report. The city also received a Healthcare Index of 69, reflecting access to dependable medical services. Our vibrant economy continues to offer stronger opportunities for residents, according to the analysis.
The report points to Cape Town’s unique combination of world-famous natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and lifestyle appeal as major contributors to its ranking. From mountain trails and beaches to a thriving food, tourism, and creative economy, the Mother City continues to attract international newcomers.
The research also acknowledges one of Cape Town’s ongoing challenges: safety. The city received a Safety Index of 26.4, a reminder that while residents enjoy a high quality of life, personal security remains an important consideration.
South Africa claims five of the top 10 spots
South Africa proved to be the strongest-performing country in the rankings, claiming five of the top 10 cities. Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) ranked third and achieved the highest Quality of Life Index in the study at 161.9.
Durban placed sixth, followed by Pretoria in seventh and Johannesburg in eighth.
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