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Dubai Tops Travel + Leisure's Luxury City Index

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 17:46 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Luxurious City to Live In

Travel + Leisure recently spotlighted the city that tops the list of “most luxurious places to call home.” The feature draws on a blend of expert opinions, resident surveys, and hard‑data metrics—such as cost of living, safety, cultural richness, and access to premium services—to determine where the world’s elite can enjoy an exceptional lifestyle. While the article focuses on one standout city, it also delves into a broader “Luxury City Index,” offering insight into what makes a city truly opulent.

Why Luxury Living Matters

In today’s interconnected world, a city’s luxury quotient isn’t just about plush hotels or high‑end shopping districts. It’s a composite of:

• Safety & Stability: Low crime rates, robust legal systems, and political stability.
• Infrastructure & Services: World‑class public transport, smart‑city technologies, and high‑quality healthcare.
• Cultural & Social Offerings: Museums, theaters, dining, and exclusive clubs.
• Residential Experience: Gated communities, private concierge, and access to elite amenities.

The Travel + Leisure piece frames luxury as a holistic experience that supports both the everyday life of a resident and the extraordinary moments that come with belonging to a global network of affluent individuals.

The Star of the Show: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

According to the article, Dubai emerges as the pinnacle of luxury living, largely due to its unique blend of futuristic infrastructure, unmatched real‑estate options, and a truly cosmopolitan vibe. Here’s why Dubai stands out:

1. Iconic Architecture & Luxury Real Estate
   From the world‑record‑setting Burj Khalifa to the sail‑shaped Emirates Tower, Dubai’s skyline is a visual testament to its ambition. The city’s most exclusive residential districts—such as Emirates Hills, Dubai Creek Harbour, and the Palm Jumeirah—feature private villas, penthouse suites, and high‑end serviced apartments with 24/7 concierge services and private security.

2. Tax‑Free Living and Financial Incentives
   One of Dubai’s biggest draws for high‑net‑worth individuals is the absence of personal income tax. The city also offers generous residency visas tied to real‑estate investment, making it easier for global citizens to secure long‑term stay.

3. World‑Class Hospitality & Entertainment
   Luxury hotels such as the Burj Al‑Arab, Armani Hotel, and the Ritz‑Carlton offer world‑class services and are often located right next to the city’s finest dining spots. The city’s nightlife and cultural scene—ranging from high‑profile art galleries to lavish beach clubs—ensure that residents never run out of sophisticated entertainment options.

4. Infrastructure & Safety
   Dubai’s public transportation system, including the metro, tram, and bus networks, is efficient and safe. The city’s public safety record is exemplary, with sophisticated surveillance and a highly trained police force.

5. Access to a Global Community
   Dubai hosts an eclectic mix of international business leaders, artists, and philanthropists. The city’s numerous business hubs and conferences attract a global audience, ensuring that residents can maintain high‑level networking connections without leaving the city.

Other Noteworthy Luxury Cities

While Dubai leads the pack, the article also highlights several other cities that rank highly on the Luxury City Index:

• Singapore: Known for its impeccable cleanliness, efficient public transport, and strong financial markets. Residents enjoy a high standard of living and access to exclusive clubs like the Marina Bay Club.

• Zurich, Switzerland: Offers one of the world’s most stable economies, a world‑class healthcare system, and the highest quality of public services. The city’s real‑estate market is dominated by luxurious apartments and historic villas.

• Tokyo, Japan: A bustling metropolis that blends cutting‑edge technology with deep cultural traditions. Luxury districts such as Roppongi and Minato provide residents with high‑end shopping, gourmet dining, and premium real‑estate.

• New York City, USA: The “City That Never Sleeps” offers luxury residences in Manhattan’s most coveted neighborhoods—Upper East Side, Tribeca, and SoHo—alongside unrivaled cultural, culinary, and entertainment options.

• Paris, France: Celebrated for its historic charm, world‑class museums, and haute couture. Luxury real‑estate in neighborhoods like the 16th arrondissement and Saint‑Germain provides residents with a lifestyle steeped in elegance.

Each of these cities has been analyzed for factors such as cost of living, housing prices, tax environment, quality of public services, and international connectivity.

How the Luxury City Index Is Calculated

Travel + Leisure’s index is based on a composite score that aggregates:

1. Economic Indicators: GDP per capita, real‑estate price trends, and investment climate.
2. Quality of Life Metrics: Healthcare access, education, environmental quality, and public safety.
3. Social & Cultural Vibrancy: Availability of high‑culture events, nightlife, and community cohesion.
4. Resident Feedback: Surveys from international expatriates and local residents focusing on daily satisfaction, access to premium services, and overall happiness.

The methodology ensures that the index reflects a well‑rounded view of what luxury living truly entails.

What Luxury Means for Residents

For many affluent individuals, living in a luxury city is less about the “big luxuries” and more about the consistency of high‑quality living. It includes:

• Private Schooling: Many luxury cities boast exclusive international schools that cater to expat families.
• Health & Wellness: State‑of‑the‑art medical centers, private clinics, and wellness retreats are standard.
• Private Transportation: From luxury car clubs to personal helicopter services, transportation is seamless.
• Personal Security: Home security systems, bodyguard services, and private investigation firms are readily available.

Bottom Line

Dubai’s position at the top of Travel + Leisure’s “most luxurious city to live in” list is a testament to its strategic vision and relentless pursuit of excellence. Its blend of tax incentives, cutting‑edge real‑estate, world‑class services, and a cosmopolitan community creates an environment where the affluent can live both comfortably and confidently.

However, the broader Luxury City Index underscores that many cities across the globe also offer exceptional living standards, each with its own unique blend of culture, infrastructure, and opportunity. Whether it’s the serene precision of Zurich, the vibrant energy of Tokyo, or the timeless elegance of Paris, the luxury lifestyle is far from being limited to one city.

For those considering relocation, the takeaway is clear: The best luxury city is one that aligns with personal priorities—whether that’s business, family life, or cultural enrichment—and offers a reliable infrastructure to support an elevated standard of living. Dubai leads in many of those categories, but the world’s luxury cities provide a diverse palette for those ready to embrace a truly opulent lifestyle.