Australia’s Underrated Capitals Climb the Highest in the 2026 World’s Best Cities
Four Australian cities ranked among the global top 100 in the 2026 World’s Best Cities list, with Perth and Brisbane showing the most significant improvements.
Key Rankings and Highlights
- Perth and Brisbane achieved the biggest jumps in rankings over the past year.
- Sydney maintained its position as Australia's top city, ranking 11th worldwide.
- London retained its title as the world’s best city for the year.
About the Ranking Methodology
The rankings by Resonance Consulting, known as “the most comprehensive study of its kind,” evaluated over 400 cities based on three main criteria:
- Livability
- Lovability
- Prosperity
"Four Aussie cities feature in the top 100 for 2026, with Perth and Brisbane experiencing particularly big jumps over the past year."
Although Sydney dropped out of the top ten, finishing 11th globally remains a notable achievement for the New South Wales capital.
Author’s Summary
Australia’s lesser-known capitals, especially Perth and Brisbane, have made remarkable progress in global city rankings, demonstrating their growing appeal and prosperity.