A guide by the TheGlobeScore team
Compare cities: safety, living costs and everyday life
A city you enjoy visiting is not necessarily a place you would enjoy living. Start with everyday needs: housing, journeys, work and activities. TheGlobeScore helps you explore these differences on a map using community reviews and available indicators.
Explore the map1. Decide what matters to you
Choose three priorities before browsing rankings. A family might focus on budget, safety and access to services. Someone without a car may care more about transport and nearby shops. An overall rating cannot replace those choices.
The twelve criteria are safety, cost of living, general atmosphere, landscapes, heritage, transport and mobility, nightlife, health and services, climate, food, cleanliness, and education and work.
2. Compare similar places
Open the place rankings on the map, choose cities and select a criterion. Filter by country, population band and minimum number of ratings. Separate categories let you explore regions and countries.
Where possible, compare cities of similar size. A municipality, metropolitan area and region have different boundaries. Data for a city district should not be treated as a measurement for the entire city.
3. Read reviews alongside the numbers
Detailed reviews and photos help explain a rating. Check how many people contributed: five stars from one reviewer do not offer the same evidence as many detailed accounts.
French and US indicators can complement reviews where data is available. Rent, unemployment and density measure different things from personal impressions. Check the geography, year and unit. Missing data does not mean zero.
4. Make a shortlist
Look at each city’s trade-offs. Cheaper housing may come with longer journeys, while lively nightlife may not suit someone seeking quiet. There is no single best city for everyone.
Before moving, visit the neighbourhoods you are considering at different times of day. Sharing your experience afterwards can help the next person make a more informed comparison.