When you think of Australia’s most exciting cities, Canberra probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind. For years, our nation’s capital has copped a bit of a ribbing—branded as the land of politicians, roundabouts, and more bus stops than you can poke a stick at. In fact, it even scored a 'notable mention' in a 2023 global ranking of the Most Boring Cities in the World. But here’s the twist: Canberra has just been crowned the world’s best city for quality of life, beating out over 1,000 of the globe’s largest cities. Not so boring now, eh?


This impressive accolade comes courtesy of the latest Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics, a respected international think tank. The index ranks cities across five key categories: quality of life, economics, human capital, environment, and governance. While Melbourne and Sydney both made the overall top ten (a big win for them!), Canberra truly shone in the quality of life category, outpacing every other Australian city—and even overtaking last year’s winner, Grenoble in France.

So, what’s Canberra’s secret sauce? According to the report, our capital city topped four out of six quality of life indicators: income equality, income per person, housing expenditure, and life expectancy. That’s right—Canberrans enjoy high incomes, a fairer distribution of wealth, relatively affordable housing, and longer lives. Not too shabby for a city that’s often the butt of jokes about roundabouts!


Oxford Economics’ senior economist Anthony Bernard-Sasges explained, 'The Australian capital ranks first in the world for quality of life this year, largely driven by the city’s high incomes combined with its low degree of income inequality, thanks to the higher availability of stable and high-paying government jobs than elsewhere.' In other words, all those public service positions aren’t just good for the economy—they’re good for the people, too.


But it’s not just about money. Canberra also boasts excellent healthcare facilities and a high life expectancy. And while it might not have the sheer number of cultural and recreational sites as Sydney or Melbourne, its smaller population means there’s more to go around per resident. In fact, Canberra ranked second in Australia for recreation and cultural sites, just behind Sydney.

Of course, no city is perfect. Canberra did fall short in one area: crime rate. It ranked the lowest of all Aussie cities in that category. But with so many other positives, it seems most Canberrans are happy to take the good with the not-so-good.

Here’s how the top 10 cities for quality of life stack up, according to the Global Cities Index:

1. Canberra, Australia
2. Bergen, Norway
3. Grenoble, France
4. Singapore
5. Luxembourg
6. Bern, Switzerland
7. Paris, France
8. Linz, Austria
9. Oslo, Norway
10. Basel, Switzerland

What Makes a City Great for Over-60s?

For our Seniors Discount Club members, these findings are especially interesting. Canberra’s high life expectancy, excellent healthcare, and strong sense of community are all big ticks for retirees and older Aussies. The city’s manageable size, abundance of green spaces, and cultural offerings (think: the National Gallery, Questacon, and the Australian War Memorial) make it a pleasant place to live, especially if you’re looking for a slower pace without sacrificing quality.

And let’s not forget the practicalities: Canberra’s public transport is reliable, the roads are easy to navigate, and there’s a real focus on accessibility. Plus, with so many government jobs, the city tends to weather economic storms better than most.

Is Canberra Really ‘Boring’?

The 'boring' label has always been a bit unfair. Sure, Canberra isn’t as bustling as Sydney or as artsy as Melbourne, but it has its own unique charm. The city is surrounded by beautiful bushland, has a thriving food and wine scene, and hosts some of the country’s best festivals and events. And for those who love a bit of peace and quiet, Canberra’s calm, clean streets and friendly neighbourhoods are a dream come true.

A City for All Ages

Whether you’re a retiree looking for a safe, comfortable place to settle down, or a grandparent wanting to be close to family and great healthcare, Canberra is proving itself to be a top contender. And with this new global recognition, maybe it’s time we all gave our capital a bit more credit.
Have you lived in Canberra, or do you have family there? What’s your take on the city’s reputation—and do you think it deserves the title of 'world’s best for quality of life'? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.