Monocle 2025: Vienna best for housing
In June 2025, Monocle published its ranking of the world's most liveable cities for the 18th time. For the first time, however, winners were chosen in ten different categories - from health, safety and housing to nightlife. Previously, Monocle, like other studies on quality of life, presented an annual city ranking. In 2023, Vienna climbed to the top of this ranking for the first time.
The study shows: Vienna is the world leader when it comes to housing. Monocle explains: "The Austrian capital’s architecture and social housing stock are the envy of the world.” In fact, social housing has become a symbol of Vienna's high quality of life over the course of the 20th century. While other cities have given up on the principle of social housing, Vienna continues to build around 6,000 Gemeindebauten flats (council apartments) every year. Today, more than half of Vienna's two million inhabitants live in some form of subsidised housing, whether in Gemeindebauten or state-supported co-operatives.
The quality of life in Vienna has been confirmed by renowned international studies for many years. This is demonstrated by consistent top rankings, for example the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index and Mercer's Quality of Living ranking.
Why is Vienna so liveable?
Vienna's imperial architecture is the city's landmark. Its nature is impressive, too - the parklands, natural bodies of water and hilly landscapes, all within the city limits. The Old Danube, the Danube Island and its public bathing areas contribute to the quality of life.
Residents and visitors alike appreciate the excellent, affordable public transport network, which makes it easy to get around the city. Vienna is working hard not only to maintain this network, but also to continuously optimize it: The construction of the new subway line U5 is in full swing, new X-car trains and the rail connections of ÖBB's Nightjet sleeper trains also contribute to Vienna's excellent transportation system.
However, Vienna is not only a functioning city, but above all a place for art and culture. Most people associate Vienna with its breathtaking cultural diversity - the large number of museums and exhibitions as well as a wide range of music events.
Vienna´s top positions in international rankings:
- 2024: 1st place in the ranking of international congress events held worldwide by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
- 2024: 2nd place among the most liveable cities in Mercer´s annual “Quality of Living City Ranking” survey
- 2025: 2nd place among the most liveable cities in the "Global Liveability Index" published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
