Vancouver was just named one of the world’s most liveable cities—again

Vancouverites, prepare to feel internationally validated... and then immediately check the price of a one-bedroom apartment.

Vancouver has been ranked the ninth most liveable city in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Liveability Index, climbing one spot from last year. It’s also the only North American city to crack the top 10, so please enjoy this rare opportunity to feel superior to New York without mentioning bagels.

So what’s the score?

The annual ranking assessed 173 cities using more than 30 indicators covering stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

Vancouver earned an overall score of 96 out of 100, including a perfect 100 for education, 97 for culture and environment, 96 for healthcare, 95 for stability and 93 for infrastructure.

That culture and environment score was the highest among every city in the top 10, which tracks for a place where you can see a concert, eat excellent sushi and disappear into a forest before your group chat notices.

What city claimed first place globally?

Copenhagen, and for the second year running, followed by Vienna, Melbourne, Sydney and Zurich. Vancouver landed between Adelaide and Tokyo, which is honestly a pretty glamorous place to be sandwiched.

Before anyone forwards the EIU their latest rent increase, affordability is not one of the index’s five main categories. “Availability of good quality housing” appears under infrastructure, but the emotional damage caused by browsing Craigslist apparently remains scientifically unmeasured.

Still, ninth on Earth is nothing to sulk about.

Go celebrate with a seawall stroll, a mountain view and a coffee that costs approximately one infrastructure point.