We all have our favourite neighbourhoods in Hong Kong for food, drink, and things to do – but whether they're suitable for living in is an entirely different question. Well, now there are some official numbers to back things up.
According to a survey done by language learning platform Preply, which used official and public data from a range of sources, the study examined all of Hong Kong's 18 districts across multiple factors that impact everyday living, such as population density, real estate costs, safety, retail and dining options, connectivity, and environmental factors like air and water quality and noise levels.
Yuen Long claimed the top spot as Hong Kong's most liveable area, offering a combination of affordable housing at $9,476 per square foot, abundant green spaces with 188 parks and playgrounds, and excellent transportation connectivity with the most bus stops in the territory. The North District followed closely in second place, while Sha Tin and the Eastern District took third and fourth place, respectively.
The survey also revealed that safety played a major part in determining the most desirable places to live. Yau Tsim Mong, which consists of Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mong Kok, topped the charts with a staggering 8,883 reported crimes between January and October 2024. On the other hand, the North District emerged as the safest with just 586 reported crimes.
Hong Kong districts with the highest cost per square foot were also listed, with Central and Western District (surprise, surprise) claiming the title as Hong Kong’s most experience area at $21,181 per square foot.
Most liveable districts in Hong Kong, according to Preply:
- Yuen Long
- North
- Shat Tin
- Eastern
- Tsuen Wan
- Tuen Mun
- Kowloon City
- Islands
- Sai Kung
- Central and Western
- Yau Tsim Mong
- Tai Po
- Southern
- Kwai Tsing
- Kwun Tong
- Wan Chai
- Sham Shui Po
- Wong Tai Sin
For those interested in finding out more, check the complete survey results here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox
Recommended stories:
The 65 best things to do in Hong Kong 2025
Nine Hong Kong locations have been chosen to become new tourist hotspots
Lin Heung Tea House to open new 24-hour location in Tsim Sha Tsui