Seattle residents have one more reason to feel proud of where they call home.
A new global study from digital entertainment platform JB ranked the Emerald City as the most livable city in the United States and eighth overall in the world. The company evaluated 45 cities across the globe using six key measures: overall quality of life, safety, access to healthcare, air pollution levels, unemployment rates, and average monthly disposable income.
Among U.S. cities, Seattle claimed the top spot. The only other American city to break into the global top 10 was Boston.
Why Seattle Scored So Highly
Seattle’s strong finish wasn’t the result of just one standout category. Instead, it reflected consistent performance across the board. It scored particularly well for healthcare access, overall quality of life, and earning power. In fact, residents here report an average monthly disposable income of $2,703: the second-highest figure among the top 10 cities worldwide.
That balance helped Seattle outperform larger and often pricier metros, both in the U.S. and abroad, that may have excelled in individual areas but didn’t score as evenly overall.
The Outdoor Advantage
For locals, the city’s ranking may not come as a surprise. Seattle’s coastal setting and surrounding greenery offer more than just iconic views. Easy access to mountains, forests, and water shapes how many residents spend their free time. That outdoor lifestyle comes with proven mental and physical health benefits.
High Costs, High Earnings
Seattle is regularly cited as one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., and its cost of living remains high. Even so, the study found that local earning power offsets some of that burden. The study found that Seattleites had an average monthly disposable income of $2,703. Only Zurich reported a higher average monthly disposable income among the top-ranked cities.
Plus, an economy anchored by tech, healthcare, and education sectors provides relative stability. That foundation supports continued investment in healthcare systems and environmental standards—two areas that factored into the study’s methodology.
How Seattle Stacks Up Globally
European cities dominated much of the top 10, with four claiming the highest spots. Here’s how the rankings shook out:
- Zurich
- Copenhagen
- Amsterdam
- Vienna
- Munich
- Helsinki
- Melbourne
- Seattle
- Edinburgh
- Boston
Seattle ultimately placed ahead of Edinburgh and Boston, while holding its own against several long-established European cities.
For a city often defined by gray skies and rising housing prices, the report suggests something locals already know: when it comes to livability, Seattle continues to punch above its weight, both nationally and globally.