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Choosing where to raise a family comes with many considerations: schools, hospitals, family-friendly activities, safety, proximity to family and friends, and the overall quality of life a city offers. Naturally, some sacrifices are often made along the way.
Luckily, if you’ve chosen or are considering making Durban your home, findings from a Compare the Market AU study may put some of those concerns at ease. The research looked at nine different factors to rank the best cities in the world to raise a family in 2026.
These factors included:
- Safety score
- World happiness score
- Things to do with kids
- Monthly cost of living
- National family benefits spending
- National statutory parental leave (combined)
- Green spaces per capita
- National child vaccination rates
- National education spending
The study ranked 50 cities worldwide. While Durban placed 49th globally, which we don’t think is too shabby, it ranked third in South Africa, with Johannesburg (41) and Cape Town (46) coming out ahead.
The findings also revealed that Durban recorded a happiness score of 5.213/10, tying with Johannesburg and Cape Town, while still surpassing cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi.
Between our great weather, beaches, cuisine, nightlife, five-star hotels, art scene, and every other hidden gem in between, we can’t say we’re surprised.
These are the top 10 cities to raise a family in 2026:
- Brisbane
- London
- Auckland
- Helsinki
- Sydney
- Perth
- Melbourne
- Stockholm
- Berlin
- Seoul
This recognition further cements Durban’s status as a global destination worth celebrating, especially after the city claimed 14th place in Time Out’s list of the best places to travel in 2026 earlier this year.
TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:
📍 The best things to do in Durban
😋 The best restaurants in Durban
🏨 The best hotels in Durban
🛏️ Where to stay in Durban