World's best cities for Gen Z to live in 2025: For Gen Z, choosing a city is less about having an address and more about finding a place that feels affordable, exciting, and welcoming. Bangkok, Thailand, takes the top spot this year. Affordable living, buzzing nightlife, and a vibrant cultural mix made it the clear favourite, with 84 per cent of young residents saying they are happy there. Melbourne follows at No. 2, praised for its inclusivity, diversity, and a thriving arts scene that 96 per cent of Gen Z locals say stands out. Cape Town rounds off the top three, beloved for its scenic beauty and budget-friendly fun — with three in four residents calling its nightlife affordable. New York City comes in fourth, its energy, walkability, and nightlife compensating for its famously high prices. At No. 5 is Copenhagen, which not only scores for quality of life but also for romance — more than half of Gen Z residents said it’s an easy place to find love. Other cities in the top 10 include Barcelona, Edinburgh, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai. The world’s best cities for Gen Z in 2025 Rank City Country 1. Bangkok Thailand 2. Melbourne Australia 3. Cape Town South Africa 4. New York City USA 5. Copenhagen Denmark 6. Barcelona Spain 7. Edinburgh UK 8. Mexico City Mexico 9. London UK 10. Shanghai China Source: Time Out Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok takes the top spot, with 84 per cent of Gen Z saying they’re happy there and 71 per cent finding it affordable. It’s also the easiest city on the list to make new friends, according to young locals. Melbourne, Australia In second place, Melbourne shines for diversity (77 per cent), its thriving arts scene (96 per cent), and quality of life, 91 per cent of young people call it “good” or “amazing.” Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town comes in third, with 82 per cent happy residents. Gen Z love its beauty (71 per cent), cheap nights out (76 per cent), and the fun vibe overall (62 per cent). New York City, USA NYC ranks high for excitement, walkability (82 per cent), and nightlife (84 per cent). No surprise the city never sleeps. Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen lives up to its “most liveable city” title: 64 per cent are happy living there, and 54 per cent even say it’s easy to find love. Barcelona, Spain Barcelona gets solid happiness ratings (71 per cent) and matches Melbourne for diversity and inclusivity (77 per cent). Edinburgh, UK Edinburgh is unbeatable for nature and green spaces (95 per cent) and walkability (89 per cent), making it a Gen Z favourite. Mexico City, Mexico With 83 per cent happiness and 69% praising affordability, Mexico City scores well on both joy and budget-friendliness. London, UK London’s free art and culture wow 96 per cent of Gen Z, while 95 per cent rave about its food. But affordability? Only 45 per cent agree it’s cheap. Shanghai, China Shanghai nails public transport (96 per cent) and happiness (84 per cent). It’s also seen as the most modern city by its Gen Z locals.
