Melbourne is the best city in the world for 2026
Published:
12 March 2026
Melbourne has been officially crowned the Best City in the World for 2026 by Time Out's annual global ranking!
This is the first time an Australian city has topped the annual list, beating Shanghai, Edinburgh, London and New York.
The announcement highlights Melbourne's allure as not just a great place to visit, but also an extraordinary place to live and study.
How the ranking was measured
- Over 24,000 people shared their thoughts in 42 languages about food, nightlife, culture, costs, happiness and their city's vibe.
- More than 100 city experts assessed what makes each city exciting and great to live in.
- A detailed scoring system covering 44 criteria, including diversity, liveliness, cultural activities and affordability.
Key findings
- Most people in Melbourne (94%) think the city has amazing food.
- Many residents (92%) love Melbourne’s exciting arts and culture.
- Locals are very happy living here, with the city ranking highly for happiness and liveability.
- Melbourne is one of the top 3 cities in the world for young people (Gen Z).
Events
Here’s a snapshot of Melbourne’s quintessential events students can immerse themselves in:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Australian Open | Celebrated as one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. |
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Laugh alongside comedians from around the globe. |
| Melbourne Food and Wine Festival | A delicious showcase of culinary talent paired with local wines. |
| AFL Grand Final | Experience the unmatched excitement of Australia’s favourite sport. |
| Boxing Day Test | Perfect for cricket enthusiast students. |
| Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show | A visual celebration of botanical artistry. |
To learn more about why Melbourne is the perfect study destination, check out our Why Melbourne page!
