The Best Cities in the World for Gen Z to Move To in 2026
Your 20s are a genuinely great time to take a leap. Whether you're eyeing a fresh start after university or college, chasing a job opportunity abroad, or just ready to live somewhere different. Moving to a new city (or a new country entirely) can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.
But where do you actually go? Not everywhere that looks good on social media is easy to afford, safe to live in, or welcoming to young people looking to build a new life from scratch. Moving abroad also comes with important practical considerations, such as organising your finances, sending money internationally (opens in new window) and finding employment among many other things.
That's why we analysed more than 250 cities across nine key factors important to Gen Z movers, from rent and job prospects to safety, nightlife costs, and internet speeds, to find the cities that genuinely deliver for this generation.
So whether you’re looking for inspiration to move abroad, or want to see how your city caters to the younger generation, here’s what we found.
But where do you actually go? Not everywhere that looks good on social media is easy to afford, safe to live in, or welcoming to young people looking to build a new life from scratch. Moving abroad also comes with important practical considerations, such as organising your finances, sending money internationally (opens in new window) and finding employment among many other things.
That's why we analysed more than 250 cities across nine key factors important to Gen Z movers, from rent and job prospects to safety, nightlife costs, and internet speeds, to find the cities that genuinely deliver for this generation.
So whether you’re looking for inspiration to move abroad, or want to see how your city caters to the younger generation, here’s what we found.
The top 10 best cities for Gen Z to move to
How we ranked the cities
We scored each city out of 100 across nine categories that actually matter when you're young and starting out somewhere new:- Rent affordability
- Youth unemployment rate
- Safety index
- LGBTQ+ equality
- Broadband speed
- Affordability of a night out
- Quality of life index
- Average monthly net salary
- Share of population aged 20–29
- Copenhagen, Denmark (76.67/100)
Denmark's capital claimed the top spot, making it the best city for Gen Z to relocate to. With average monthly salaries of around DKK 30,175 ($4,859), a youth unemployment rate of under 12%, and one of the highest quality of life scores in the entire index (211.3), it's a city that rewards people who show up and work hard. It also scored 82/100 for LGBTQ+ equality, one of the highest in our analysis, making it a genuinely welcoming place for everyone.
Rent isn't the cheapest, but when you factor in what you're getting in return (healthy wages, a safe city - the safety score is an impressive 74 - and a good quality of life, with the city ranking fourth overall in the index for quality of life score), it stacks up well. To boot, around a quarter (23%) of Copenhagen's population is aged 20-29 (the second highest percentage in the index), so if you’re looking to make friends with people your age, you'll be in very good company.
Rent isn't the cheapest, but when you factor in what you're getting in return (healthy wages, a safe city - the safety score is an impressive 74 - and a good quality of life, with the city ranking fourth overall in the index for quality of life score), it stacks up well. To boot, around a quarter (23%) of Copenhagen's population is aged 20-29 (the second highest percentage in the index), so if you’re looking to make friends with people your age, you'll be in very good company.
- Bern, Switzerland (74.01/100)
Switzerland (opens in new window) ranks as the top country for immigrants to move to in 2026, according to our latest Immigration Index report (opens in new window). And while the country’s quietly charming capital might not be the first place that comes to mind for a big move, the data suggests otherwise. Bern boasts the highest average monthly net salary in the entire top 10 at around Fr. 5,615* ($7,207), which can go a long way in this Swiss city. Youth unemployment sits at just 9%, and with a quality of life score of 208.4, it's one of the most liveable cities in the world.
However, while monthly wages might be healthy, a night out here isn't the cheapest, with an affordability score of 108.7, dining out can be pricier than major cities like New York. LGBTQ+ equality is good though, scoring 70/100, meaning this European city is a welcome space for lots of people looking to create a new life for themselves.
However, while monthly wages might be healthy, a night out here isn't the cheapest, with an affordability score of 108.7, dining out can be pricier than major cities like New York. LGBTQ+ equality is good though, scoring 70/100, meaning this European city is a welcome space for lots of people looking to create a new life for themselves.
- Groningen, Netherlands (73.44/100)
Forget about Amsterdam! Groningen is the Dutch city that quietly outperforms its more famous neighbour on almost every measure that matters to younger residents. Rent is significantly more affordable, with a one bedroom apartment costing half to rent compared to bigger cities like Amsterdam (average rent is €1080 per month vs €2196 per month in Amsterdam), the city is very safe (safety score: 75.9), and with 17% of its population aged 20-29, it has a genuinely young, energetic feel.
Broadband speeds are excellent too (188.49 Mbps), great for those looking to work remotely, and with the Netherlands (opens in new window)' national youth unemployment rate at under 9%, job prospects are strong. It's a university city at heart, walkable, bike-friendly, and buzzing with young people - what's not to like?
Broadband speeds are excellent too (188.49 Mbps), great for those looking to work remotely, and with the Netherlands (opens in new window)' national youth unemployment rate at under 9%, job prospects are strong. It's a university city at heart, walkable, bike-friendly, and buzzing with young people - what's not to like?
- Bergen, Norway (72.65/100)
Norway's second biggest city is stunning, but more importantly for our index, it's one of the safest and highest-paying cities on the list. Bergen scored 76.2 on safety and offers average monthly salaries of around 38,057 kr ($4,079). The country also scores highly for LGBTQ+ equality (87/100), one of the best results in the entire study.
An evening out in Bergen does cost more than most cities however, with an average domestic draft beer costing residents 119 kr (~$13), one of the costliest in the study, and Norway's overall cost of living such as rent and an evening out reflecting those high wages. For Gen Z movers who can land a job here, the lifestyle is genuinely exceptional however. And that’s not all - for those looking to make new connections, over a fifth (22%) of the population is in the 20–29 age bracket.
An evening out in Bergen does cost more than most cities however, with an average domestic draft beer costing residents 119 kr (~$13), one of the costliest in the study, and Norway's overall cost of living such as rent and an evening out reflecting those high wages. For Gen Z movers who can land a job here, the lifestyle is genuinely exceptional however. And that’s not all - for those looking to make new connections, over a fifth (22%) of the population is in the 20–29 age bracket.
- Eindhoven, Netherlands (72.23/100)
Eindhoven is having a moment. With a booming creative and tech scene, it offers something Amsterdam can't: affordability. The rent index here is notably lower than in the Dutch capital, while quality of life (218.1) and broadband speed are both top-notch. Youth unemployment mirrors the rest of the Netherlands at well below 9%.
But what really makes Eindhoven one of the best cities for young professionals is the exciting career opportunities. It's a city with genuine momentum in design, engineering, and innovation, and average salaries of around €3,354 ($3,970) per month give you proper room to build a nice life here.
But what really makes Eindhoven one of the best cities for young professionals is the exciting career opportunities. It's a city with genuine momentum in design, engineering, and innovation, and average salaries of around €3,354 ($3,970) per month give you proper room to build a nice life here.
- Pittsburgh, United States (71.46/100)
Pittsburgh is the highest ranking U.S. city in our study. Often overlooked in favour of New York, Austin, or LA, it quietly outscored them all in this index, largely because it balances affordability with opportunity better than almost any city in the United States (opens in new window). Rent here is refreshingly manageable (average rent for a one bedroom apartment is $1,602 a month), while average salaries reach around $4,221 per month.
With over a fifth of its population (21.5%) aged 20-29, the social scene can be lively, with lots of opportunities to meet lifelong friends. If you're looking for an American city that won't drain your bank account while you're getting started, Pittsburgh deserves serious consideration.
With over a fifth of its population (21.5%) aged 20-29, the social scene can be lively, with lots of opportunities to meet lifelong friends. If you're looking for an American city that won't drain your bank account while you're getting started, Pittsburgh deserves serious consideration.
- Utrecht, Netherlands (69.62/100)
Three Dutch cities in the top 10 is no coincidence. Utrecht combines the cultural richness of Amsterdam with the affordability of Groningen, landing comfortably in the top 10 thanks to strong scores across quality of life (211.9), safety (73.2), and broadband (188.49 Mbps). Furthermore, average salaries sit at around €3,836 ($4,540) per month, which is healthy for the region.
With just 11.45% of the population aged 20–29, it's slightly less youth-heavy than some cities on this list, but it more than makes up for it with a beautiful medieval city centre, impressive transport links, and LGBTQ+ equality scoring a healthy 76/100.
With just 11.45% of the population aged 20–29, it's slightly less youth-heavy than some cities on this list, but it more than makes up for it with a beautiful medieval city centre, impressive transport links, and LGBTQ+ equality scoring a healthy 76/100.
- Ottawa, Canada (68.77/100)
Toronto usually gets all the attention, but Ottawa is a Canadian city worth considering for youngsters looking to relocate to North America. Canada's capital scored impressively on safety (68.4 - the highest out of any Canadian city analysed), LGBTQ+ equality (79/100, one of the highest in the study), and affordability of a night out - especially compared to Canadian cities like Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Average monthly salaries of around $5,500 CAD ($4,008) and a youth unemployment rate of 13.8% reflect a city with a stable economy that offers predictability even if it lacks the startup energy of Vancouver or Toronto.
Average monthly salaries of around $5,500 CAD ($4,008) and a youth unemployment rate of 13.8% reflect a city with a stable economy that offers predictability even if it lacks the startup energy of Vancouver or Toronto.
- Trondheim, Norway (68.61/100)
Trondheim stands out as one of the most youth-focused cities on this list, thanks to its large student population and strong early-career opportunities. It’s also one of the safest cities in the top 10 (and in the study, scoring 78.5/100) and scores highly for LGBTQ+ equality (87/100), creating an environment where young people can feel secure and supported. Average monthly salaries sit at around 38,113 kr ($4,085), and while the cost of living is high, rent remains relatively manageable.
Compact, walkable, and known for its focus on innovation and sustainability, Trondheim offers a high quality of life with real long-term potential. For Gen Z movers looking for a city that balances opportunity with a strong sense of community, it’s one to add to the shortlist.
Compact, walkable, and known for its focus on innovation and sustainability, Trondheim offers a high quality of life with real long-term potential. For Gen Z movers looking for a city that balances opportunity with a strong sense of community, it’s one to add to the shortlist.
- Wellington, New Zealand (68.46/100)
New Zealand's capital rounds out the top 10 with a score that might surprise a few people, but Wellington consistently punches above its weight. The city scored 66.5 on safety and 77/100 on LGBTQ+ equality, while nearly a fifth (19%) of its population is aged 20–29, giving it a noticeably young demographic for a capital city.
The average salaries (NZ$5,142/month) reflect New Zealand's (opens in new window) generally lower wage levels compared to Europe and North America. But Wellington offers something harder to quantify: a tight-knit community, stunning natural surroundings, and a quality of life score of 191.8 that more than justifies its place on this list.
The average salaries (NZ$5,142/month) reflect New Zealand's (opens in new window) generally lower wage levels compared to Europe and North America. But Wellington offers something harder to quantify: a tight-knit community, stunning natural surroundings, and a quality of life score of 191.8 that more than justifies its place on this list.
World's top 50 cities for Gen Z to move to
| Rank | City, Country | TOTAL (/100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen, Denmark | 76.67 |
| 2 | Bern, Switzerland | 74.01 |
| 3 | Groningen, Netherlands | 73.44 |
| 4 | Bergen, Norway | 72.65 |
| 5 | Eindhoven, Netherlands | 72.23 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, United States | 71.46 |
| 7 | Utrecht, Netherlands | 69.62 |
| 8 | Ottawa, Canada | 68.77 |
| 9 | Trondheim, Norway | 68.61 |
| 10 | Wellington, New Zealand | 68.46 |
| 11 | Stuttgart, Germany | 68.08 |
| 12 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 67.77 |
| 13 | Boston, United States | 67.72 |
| 14 | Austin, United States | 67.68 |
| 15 | Tucson, United States | 67.35 |
| 16 | Tokyo, Japan | 66.94 |
| 17 | Munich, Germany | 66.60 |
| 18 | Columbus, United States | 66.58 |
| 19 | Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom | 66.49 |
| 20 | San Antonio, United States | 66.22 |
| 21 | Calgary, Canada | 66.18 |
| 22 | Halifax, Canada | 65.97 |
| 23 | Lausanne, Switzerland | 65.95 |
| 24 | Charlotte, United States | 65.90 |
| 25 | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 65.88 |
| 26 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 65.80 |
| 27 | Canberra, Australia | 65.68 |
| 28 | Montreal, Canada | 65.66 |
| 29 | Minneapolis, United States | 65.56 |
| 30 | Seattle, United States | 65.43 |
| 31 | Dusseldorf, Germany | 65.19 |
| 32 | Denver, United States | 65.19 |
| 33 | Tampa, United States | 65.14 |
| 34 | Ghent, Belgium | 65.06 |
| 35 | Edmonton, Canada | 65.02 |
| 36 | Toulouse, France | 64.99 |
| 37 | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | 64.94 |
| 38 | Nuremberg, Germany | 64.85 |
| 39 | Toronto, Canada | 64.69 |
| 40 | Dallas, United States | 64.46 |
| 41 | Atlanta, United States | 64.28 |
| 42 | Orlando, United States | 64.26 |
| 43 | Vancouver, Canada | 64.26 |
| 44 | Zurich, Switzerland | 64.17 |
| 45 | Perth, Australia | 63.88 |
| 46 | Christchurch, New Zealand | 63.81 |
| 47 | Hamburg, Germany | 63.54 |
| 48 | Liverpool, United Kingdom | 63.47 |
| 49 | Victoria, Canada | 63.46 |
| 50 | Gothenburg, Sweden | 63.35 |
The best cities in the U.S. for Gen Z to move to
For those interested in moving to the U.S. (opens in new window) specifically, where you choose to start your new life matters more than you might think, not just for your career, but for your finances, your social life, and your long-term future too. While cities like New York, LA, and San Francisco (opens in new window) tend to be the first that come to mind for a big move, our index suggests alternatives. It's the cities that balance job opportunity, day-to-day affordability, and a young, social atmosphere that really deliver for Gen Z movers.
Pittsburgh (opens in new window) (Pennsylvania) leads the pack as the best U.S. city for Gen Z. With manageable rent, solid average salaries of around $4,221 per month, and over a fifth of its population aged 20–29, it offers the potential financial breathing room to get started.
Boston (opens in new window) (Massachusetts) and Austin (opens in new window) (Texas) follow closely behind, and both make a strong case for 20-somethings looking for a fresh start. Boston boasts one of the highest concentrations of young people in the country, with 22.5% of its population aged 20–29, making it a natural hub for building new connections. Austin, meanwhile, offers a slightly lower rent ($2,093 for a one bedroom apartment each month) and a similarly young demographic, making it a compelling alternative to the bigger, pricier coastal cities.
Tucson (opens in new window) (Arizona), sneaks into fourth thanks to its impressively low rent index ($1,308 per month for a one bedroom apartment) and comfortable cost of living, while the presence of Charlotte (North Carolina), Minneapolis (opens in new window) (Minnesota) and Denver (opens in new window) (Colorado) in the top 10 is a timely reminder, the best American cities for Gen Z aren't always the most obvious ones.
Pittsburgh (opens in new window) (Pennsylvania) leads the pack as the best U.S. city for Gen Z. With manageable rent, solid average salaries of around $4,221 per month, and over a fifth of its population aged 20–29, it offers the potential financial breathing room to get started.
Boston (opens in new window) (Massachusetts) and Austin (opens in new window) (Texas) follow closely behind, and both make a strong case for 20-somethings looking for a fresh start. Boston boasts one of the highest concentrations of young people in the country, with 22.5% of its population aged 20–29, making it a natural hub for building new connections. Austin, meanwhile, offers a slightly lower rent ($2,093 for a one bedroom apartment each month) and a similarly young demographic, making it a compelling alternative to the bigger, pricier coastal cities.
Tucson (opens in new window) (Arizona), sneaks into fourth thanks to its impressively low rent index ($1,308 per month for a one bedroom apartment) and comfortable cost of living, while the presence of Charlotte (North Carolina), Minneapolis (opens in new window) (Minnesota) and Denver (opens in new window) (Colorado) in the top 10 is a timely reminder, the best American cities for Gen Z aren't always the most obvious ones.
Top U.S. cities for Gen Z to consider moving to
| Rank | City, State | TOTAL (/100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 71.46 |
| 2 | Boston, Massachusetts | 67.72 |
| 3 | Austin, Texas | 67.68 |
| 4 | Tucson, Arizona | 67.35 |
| 5 | Columbus, Ohio | 66.58 |
| 6 | San Antonio, Texas | 66.22 |
| 7 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 65.90 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 65.56 |
| 9 | Seattle, Washington | 65.43 |
| 10 | Denver, Colorado | 65.19 |
| 11 | Tampa, Florida | 65.14 |
| 12 | Dallas, Texas | 64.46 |
| 13 | Atlanta, Georgia | 64.28 |
| 14 | Orlando, Florida | 64.26 |
| 15 | Sacramento, California | 63.01 |
Methodology and sources
To find the best cities in the world for Gen Z to live in, we analysed over 250 cities globally across nine categories. Each city was scored using a min-max normalisation method, where the highest-performing city in each category received the maximum score and all others were ranked proportionally against that benchmark.
Eight categories were scored out of 11 each: rent affordability, youth unemployment rate, safety index, LGBTQ+ equality, broadband download speed, affordability of a night out, quality of life index, and average monthly net salary. The percentage of the population aged 20–29 was scored out of 12, reflecting its particular relevance to Gen Z liveability. Scores were combined for a total out of a possible 100.
Salary and cost of living costs mentioned throughout this research were converted from USD to local currency on 8th April 2026 using Remitly’s own currency conversion. This uses Remitly’s everyday rate as shown on the respective Remitly corridor website page without any special rates and does not include any fees that a service, like Remitly, may charge in a scenario like this when sending money abroad. Rates are subject to change and may be subject to sending limits. Swiss Franc was converted using Google’s rate (from Morningstar) on the same date.
Eight categories were scored out of 11 each: rent affordability, youth unemployment rate, safety index, LGBTQ+ equality, broadband download speed, affordability of a night out, quality of life index, and average monthly net salary. The percentage of the population aged 20–29 was scored out of 12, reflecting its particular relevance to Gen Z liveability. Scores were combined for a total out of a possible 100.
Salary and cost of living costs mentioned throughout this research were converted from USD to local currency on 8th April 2026 using Remitly’s own currency conversion. This uses Remitly’s everyday rate as shown on the respective Remitly corridor website page without any special rates and does not include any fees that a service, like Remitly, may charge in a scenario like this when sending money abroad. Rates are subject to change and may be subject to sending limits. Swiss Franc was converted using Google’s rate (from Morningstar) on the same date.
Data sources:
- Rent affordability - Numbeo (opens in new window)
- Youth unemployment rate - World Bank Group (opens in new window)
- Safety index - Numbeo (opens in new window)
- LGBTQ+ equality - Equaldex (opens in new window)
- Broadband speed - BestBroadbandDeals.co.uk (opens in new window)
- Affordability of a night out - Numbeo (opens in new window)
- Quality of life index - Numbeo (opens in new window)
- Average monthly net salary - Numbeo (opens in new window)
- England & Wales - ONS (opens in new window)
- Northern Ireland - NISRA (opens in new window)
- Scotland - NRS (opens in new window)
- European cities - Eurostat (opens in new window)
- United States of America - United States Census Bureau (opens in new window)
- Canada - Statistics Canada (opens in new window)
- Australia - ABS (opens in new window)
- New Zealand - Stats NZ (opens in new window)
- Japan - Statistics of Tokyo (opens in new window)
- Denmark - StatBank Denmark (opens in new window)
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