The US cities with the best quality of life for expats, ranked
Boston clinched a spot in Mercer’s top 50.
In early December, consulting firm Mercer released its 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking.
Using New York City as the base city, Mercer researched and compared the practicalities of daily life for international workers in 241 cities across five continents, looking at factors such as housing, crime, cultural scene, travel, and access to education.
Western European cities like Zurich, Vienna, and Geneva dominated the top positions in Mercer’s list, with just seven US cities making the top 50.
Here’s a closer look at the ones that made the cut, using the most recent data from the US Census Bureau and Realtor.com:
1.Boston
Boston is a hub for higher education in the US.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 32
Population: Around 654,000
Median sold home price: $780,000
Median household income: Around $89,000
Known for: The largest city in New England is big on sports, colonial history, and seafood (think buttery lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder).
But Boston might be best known for its higher education offerings, with over 30 universities and colleges, including the likes of Harvard and MIT, having campuses there.
2.San Francisco
San Francisco is best known as a haven for tech and innovation.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 36
Population: Around 809,000
Median sold home price: $1.5 million
Median household income: Around $137,000
Known for: Only around a 40-minute drive from Silicon Valley, San Francisco is a global hub for tech and innovation.
It also has a vibrant cultural scene and is dotted with iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.
3.Honolulu
Honolulu offers expats a city that blends urbanism with tropical nature.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 39
Population: Around 342,000
Median sold home price: $620,000
Median household income: Around $83,000
Known for: The birthplace of former US president Barack Obama is brimming with stunning beaches, lush green hiking trails, and crystal clear waters.
The Hawaiian capital is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US.
4.Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to a long list of celebrities.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 44
Population: Around 3.8 million
Median sold home price: $1 million
Median household income: Around $76,000
Known for: Los Angeles is one of the US’s entertainment hubs. Besides being the primary residence for a long list of Hollywood stars, the city has a world-class food scene, countless shops, and beautiful beaches.
5.New York City
New York City is a concrete jungle with a never-ending nightlife.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 45
Population: Around 8.3 million
Median sold home price: $708,000
Median household income: Around $77,000
Known for: The birthplace of late-night television, the Big Apple is best known as a concrete jungle of skyscrapers and the center of the US financial sector.
The city has a diverse population, an eclectic food scene, and a seemingly never-ending nightlife.
6.Portland
Portland, Oregon is a foodie’s dream city.
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 48
Population: Around 630,000
Median sold home price: $530,500
Median household income: Around $86,000
Known for: Portland, Oregon, is known as a haven for creatives, foodies, and small business entrepreneurs. The city’s many parks and walking trails make it a sweet spot for those who like a city that blends urban areas with nature.
7.Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is home to the sitting US president.
few.Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 49
Population: Around 679,000
Median sold home price: $695,000
Median household income: Around $102,000
Known for: The nation’s capital and home of the sitting US president, Washington, DC, is full of landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument — to name just a few.
