Big European cities look like a dream—but for many expats, they become a nightmare of high rents and crowded streets, and in some cases, increasing crime.
Famous names like Paris and Barcelona became almost unaffordable and riddled with challenges you might not expect. Those cities can even turn into financial traps – but it doesn’t need to be like that.
What if you could live in a splendid European city for half the cost of Paris—AND with safer streets and better weather?
Today I’ll show you something I discovered during these 5 years helping people move to Europe. 7 major European cities that offer a better life—for less.
Safer, more affordable, with healthcare and infrastructure that outshine the famous capitals, and the climate and healthy lifestyle that you dream of.
Stay tuned, because this top 7 is a true game-changer for expats.
The Criteria Used to Rank the Best Large Cities to Live in Europe
I used four criteria that are not just lifestyle perks but the building blocks of a good life abroad.
- The first is the cost of living, especially housing, because if rent consumes your budget, everything else collapses.
- The second is quality of life, which measures things like safety, public services, transportation, and how livable the city feels day to day.
- Third, healthcare – which is not a bonus feature—it directly decides how long and how well you live.
- And last, climate, because harsh and dark winters can turn even the cheapest city into a place that drains your health and happiness.
Only cities with more than a million people in their metropolitan area were considered – if you are interested in smaller cities, I wrote an article covering the best small towns in Europe.
Each factor carries a different weight. Cost of living takes the biggest share at 40 percent, because affordability determines whether you can stay long term.
The goal isn’t to choose between tiny, cheap towns or overpriced capitals. It’s to find large European cities where your money lasts, where healthcare is good, where daily life feels sustainable, and where you can enjoy the sunshine.
Now that the formula is in place, it’s time to see which city lands at number seven.
7 – Seville
Seville is in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, and its Metropolitan area is home to about 1.57 million residents.
Seville enters this list because it manages to combine affordability with a strong lifestyle offering, even though it comes with its own flaws. Housing here costs significantly less than in Spain’s larger metropolitan areas.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages around €750, while outside the core you can find rentals closer to €550. For a city of more than 1.5 million in its metropolitan area, those prices are strikingly competitive compared to Madrid or Barcelona, where you can easily pay double.
This affordability stretches into daily expenses as well—groceries, utilities, and transport remain on the lower end for Western Europe, helping income or pensions go further. For cost of living, Seville scores a 8 out of 10.
Beyond affordability, Seville excels in the intangible but vital quality-of-life factor. Public services are well developed, crime rates remain moderate for a city of its size, and its extensive tram and bus network connects residential neighborhoods with the historic and commercial districts effectively. The quality-of-life score is a decent 7.
Healthcare has a much better performance. Spain as a whole is consistently ranked among the top health systems in Europe, and Seville benefits from several major hospitals such as Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, which serve both locals and international residents. Accessibility for foreign residents is strong, and the city achieves a respectable healthcare score of 8.
But there is one area where Seville’s numbers start to work against it: climate. Southern Spain is famous for sunny conditions, but Seville takes this to the extreme.
This is what an American expat in Sevilla told us:
“Outside, during summer, it feels like a massive hair dryer blowing in your face. Nobody leaves their house during the day when it’s really bad unless you absolutely have to. I was OK because I grew up in Miami but it was still quite a shock.”
Summer temperatures often push past 40°C, and in July and August, the heat can make parts of the city almost unusable during the day. For many retirees or professionals accustomed to milder weather, that intensity can become a burden rather than an advantage. This drops the climate score to only 6 out of 10, noticeably dragging down its overall evaluation.
When the factors are balanced, Seville achieves a total index score of 7.4 out of 10. Affordable housing, cultural richness, and quality services make it appealing, yet the punishing summer heat ultimately puts a ceiling on livability.
What about a city just as affordable, but with gentler seasons? That is the next name on this ranking.
And by the way, I know that not everyone enjoys hot weather like Seville or the next city, so I am considering making a video of the best not-so-hot cities in Europe, with names from countries like Northern Italy, Ireland, and, surprisingly, Poland. If you would like me to make this video, let me know in the comments section.
6 – Thessaloniki
What if you found a city where your rent is so cheap it looks like a mistake—but then discovered the healthcare system forces you into difficult choices? That’s exactly the situation with Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s most affordable big urban areas.
Thessaloniki is in northern Greece, with just over 1 million people in its metropolitan area.
Housing there is astonishingly inexpensive compared to most Western cities. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is about €430, and outside the center it falls closer to €360.
For people relocating from Northern Europe, where the same unit can exceed €1,200, it feels almost unbelievable. Utilities and groceries follow the same pattern—monthly costs for essentials are often 40 to 50 percent lower than in Spain or Portugal. For cost of living, Thessaloniki earns a strong score of 9 out of 10, highlighting just how far your budget can stretch.
The city delivers cultural depth as well. With over one million residents, Thessaloniki has a historic old town, lively nightlife, and a port that gives it strong connections across the Mediterranean. It also has an international mix due to universities and exchange students, which adds to its social texture.
Quality of life is not flawless, but it sits at a solid 7, thanks to affordable services, active neighborhoods, and a relaxed daily rhythm compared with overpopulated capitals.
But here’s the catch: healthcare. Greece’s system struggles with limited resources, especially outside of Athens. Public hospitals in Thessaloniki face longer waiting times, and capacity is stretched, which means many residents turn to private providers. The quality of private care can be excellent, but it requires additional insurance and higher out-of-pocket spending. As a result, the healthcare score drops to 6, showing a clear gap compared to cities with more robust networks.
On the climate front, Thessaloniki benefits from a Mediterranean environment. Winters are mild—cold days do happen, but snow is rare—while summers remain warm without the punishing extremes seen further south. This balanced weather helps it achieve a climate score of 8, since outdoor living is possible through most of the year.
All factors combined, Thessaloniki reaches a total score of 7.8 out of 10. It’s an incredibly affordable and culturally rich city, but the weaker healthcare framework makes long-term living a calculated trade-off.
If we climb higher, the next city in our ranking combines much stronger infrastructure—at a price.
5 – Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital in the southwest, and its metropolitan area has over 3 million residents. The city often appears on expat radars because it excels in several key essentials.
The climate is mild with more than 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, avoiding the long, dark winters of northern Europe. Healthcare is strong, with a large network of private hospitals that provide reliable care, often with English-speaking doctors.
Quality of life scores remain high, supported by a low crime rate, efficient public transport, and a reputation for friendliness among locals.
Daily conveniences, from metro connections to neighborhood shops, are easy to access without the stress that comes in larger capitals. All these factors make Lisbon an attractive candidate for international residents.
But one variable consistently weighs it down: housing costs in Lisbon.
Over the last decade, property and rental prices have risen sharply.
Some people blame the demand from foreign investors, combined with a surge in short-term rentals, narrowing the supply for long-term tenants. The truth, however, is that Portuguese bureaucracy simply froze the building of new homes.
To put it into perspective, Lisbon metropolitan area built 3500 houses last decade. The Dutch city of Breda, with just 180.000 people, is on the path to build 7000 homes in 5 years.
This slowdown in the construction of new homes made prices soar. A one-bedroom apartment in a central area now averages well above €1,200 per month, in some neighborhoods even higher.
Just ten years ago, it was less than half that. Salaries in Portugal did not climb at the same pace, which means affordability has skewed heavily. For many expats arriving with foreign income, that rise means their budget disappears far quicker than expected.
Healthcare, however, is where Lisbon excels. Portugal’s national health service covers a wide range of treatments at low cost, and wait times for routine care are shorter here than in much of Southern Europe.
Private hospitals such as CUF or Luz Saúde are widely used, offering specialist care with shorter delays. Importantly, the infrastructure is modern, and staff can often communicate in English, which removes a major hurdle for new residents.
In terms of livability, Lisbon checks many of the cultural boxes.
The city has safe streets, a vibrant food and music tradition, historical sites, and easy transport links. Commuting times average shorter than in many metropolitan areas, and the compact size keeps daily life manageable.
Still, despite its strengths, higher housing costs seriously weaken long-term security for retirees or remote workers relying on limited incomes.
Measured across the four categories, Lisbon scores 6.5 for cost of living, 9 for quality of life, 9 for healthcare, and 9 for climate, giving a total score of 8.0. Lisbon remains highly livable and internationally appealing, but housing prices ultimately restrict its balance. But if you’re seeking Southern charm with unbeatable affordability, the next city takes the stage.
4 – Palermo
What if a city offered European flair at nearly half the rent of its rivals—but asked for patience with daily chaos?
That’s what you get with Palermo, one of the most affordable major cities in Europe. It is located on the northern coast of Sicily, Italy, with a metro population of around 1.2 million people.
It is the second biggest metropolitan area in the Mezzogiorno (the term used for Southern Italy), being surpassed in population only by Naples.
Housing costs in Palermo are unmatched. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center usually ranges between €400 and €600, with even lower rents outside. Palermo gets an impressive cost of living score of 10 – a real bargain.
Affordability alone would put Palermo at the top, but daily life tells a more complex story. Public procedures are often disorganized, and dealing with bureaucracy can become a frustrating routine.
An expat living in Palermo told us that:
“Bureaucracy here is nightmare because you need to literally fill in forms on paper with a pen for everything you do even there is a thing called computer. Infrastructure is very behind, it takes one hour to wait for the bus, and sometimes it never comes.”
All things considered, quality of life lands at a modest 6.
Healthcare in Palermo is decent, although it reflects regional disparities in Italy. The public system does provide access, and major hospitals are present, but southern regions face less funding and resource gaps compared with the wealthier north.
Expats and locals often supplement coverage with private appointments to ensure faster or more specialized care. This dual system works, but it lacks the consistency seen in northern Italy. For that reason, healthcare earns a 7, acceptable but not outstanding.
In terms of climate, Palermo is a typical Mezzogiorno location –meaning warm.
The city enjoys year-round warmth, with mild winters, abundant sunshine, and reliable conditions that make outdoor living a permanent possibility. Heating costs are negligible, and residents enjoy terraces, gardens, and walks along the coast throughout all seasons. It might, however, get too hot during the peak of summer.
Considering all that, Palermo gets a climate score of 8.
Summing up, Palermo reaches a total score of 8,05. It is a city that delivers Mediterranean life at a fraction of the cost, but anyone moving here must accept slower services and less polished infrastructure. Now let’s move west, to our next city—where housing remains affordable, with steadier infrastructure.
Now we will enter the TOP 3 – the best big cities to live in Europe as an expat.
But before, I have some really good news: FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME: Grab your Expat Wealth & Lifestyle Compass ($108 value) today! Includes our 74-page guide of Affordable European Cities, our Zero-Tax countries report, and our expat checklist. https://bit.ly/ExpatWealthLifestyleCompass Join us here before this offer ends.
3 – Porto
Can a city feel both affordable and culturally rich, while still keeping life simple?
Porto shows that it can.
Porto is in northern Portugal, where about 1.82 million people live in its metropolitan area. It is Portugal’s second-largest city and delivers a mix of comfort and value that has become increasingly attractive for expats.
Rents in prime areas typically stay under €900 for a one‑bedroom apartment, with options outside the core falling below €700. Compared to Lisbon’s steep housing market, this makes Porto stand out immediately. For cost of living, Porto scores a substantial 9, keeping living expenses reasonable without cutting into the quality of daily life.
Porto is smaller in scale than Lisbon, and this works to its advantage. While the capital can feel overwhelming, Porto’s size makes it more approachable. Streets are less crowded, commutes are shorter, and getting around feels far less stressful. Add in a reliable metro and bus system, and daily movement is simple and affordable. Beyond infrastructure, the city’s reputation for safety and culture also raises its appeal.
For quality of life, Porto earns a score of 8. The only drawback worth noting is that wages for locals remain among the lowest in Western Europe, which can impact services and growth.
Healthcare performs strongly here. Portugal’s public hospitals are within reach, but in Porto, a growing network of private clinics makes access smoother. These clinics often employ English‑speaking doctors, reducing one of the biggest pain points for international residents. The result is a dependable healthcare experience that balances affordability with quality. Healthcare in Porto receives a score of 8.
Climate is a mixed element. Winters are milder than in Northern Europe, but noticeably wetter here than on Spain’s southern coastline. You won’t be dealing with freezing cold, but you will need to expect rain, especially between November and March. Summers, however, are mild compared to the south, avoiding extreme heatwaves common in Mediterranean areas.
On balance, that gives Porto a climate score of 8, perfectly livable, but not like the Algarve.
Many expats mention how their retirement pensions stretch further there than in Lisbon or Madrid, without sacrificing safety or access to culture. Porto may not carry the global prestige of Lisbon, but it rewards residents with steadier finances and a calmer rhythm. Adding up all factors, Porto’s final score lands at 8.4 out of 10.
2 – Málaga
What if a city guaranteed over 300 sunny days a year and still kept life affordable?
That’s exactly what makes this Spanish city stand out on any list of livable big cities in Europe. Málaga is in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, and its metro area has around 1.1 million people.
The cost of living remains low compared to major Western capitals. Rent for a one‑bedroom apartment in central Málaga averages around €850, while outside the core districts, prices often drop below €700.
Daily expenses like groceries and transport are equally manageable, which allows both working professionals and retirees to stretch their income further. On the cost of living, Málaga achieves a solid score of 8.
The pressure point lies in housing demand. While prices are still favorable compared with Paris or Barcelona, they have started creeping upward, mainly along the desirable coastal zones. Long‑term tenants often find themselves competing with seasonal rental markets, which pushes average costs higher than in previous years. It’s still affordable, but the trend needs careful watching for anyone considering relocation.
Málaga makes up for that with its overall livability. The city has a strong expat community integrated into the historic center and nearby neighborhoods. The walkable streets bring daily energy. Outdoor life dominates here, with plazas and seaside promenades regularly full of residents. Safety levels are high, and transport links through both local buses and the high‑speed rail system make regional travel simple. Quality of life here scores a 9.
Healthcare is another of Málaga’s strengths. Spain’s public health system ensures broad access, but the city also benefits from modern private clinics serving both locals and foreign residents. Wait times remain reasonable compared with other large European regions, and many practitioners communicate effectively with international patients. The healthcare score comes in at 9.
In terms of sunshine, Málaga is unrivaled. With more than 300 days of sun every year, winter temperatures rarely fall below 12°C, and heating costs are almost nonexistent. Retirees often remark that they never need central heating—something unthinkable in Northern Europe. Still, for some, summer peak might be just too hot. This gives Málaga’s climate a rating 8.
When factoring everything, the city totals 8.45, balancing strong healthcare, lower costs, and unbeatable weather. Málaga represents the ideal of Southern Mediterranean living, making it runner‑up.
And now for #1—the city that offers world‑class healthcare, cost-benefit, safety, and sunshine together.
1 – Valencia
What if one city gave you lower costs, excellent healthcare, beach access, and safe streets—all at the same time? That is exactly what Valencia offers, and it is why this city consistently ranks first among Europe’s large, livable metro areas.
Valencia is on Spain’s east coast in the region of Valencia, with a metropolitan population of about 2.5 million people.
Start with affordability. Despite being Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia remains far less expensive than Madrid or Barcelona. A one-bedroom rental in the city center costs around €800, and outside the center, it can drop closer to €650. Utilities and groceries are lower too, which means monthly living expenses stay manageable for both workers and retirees. For cost of living, Valencia earns a strong 9 out of 10.
Now, let’s look at the quality of life in Valencia.
Valencia keeps crime levels relatively low compared with other Spanish cities, making it one of the safest large metropolitan areas in Europe. Public transport is reliable and affordable, bike lanes are extensive, and daily routines are convenient. Add in cultural offerings like its famous Fallas festival, numerous museums, and a growing food scene, and Valencia has the infrastructure of a capital city without the disorder that usually comes with it. For quality of life, Valencia’s score stands at 10.
Healthcare in Valencia is another key advantage. The city is home to top-rated hospitals like Hospital La Fe, recognized as one of Spain’s best. Services are accessible to both locals and expats, with shorter waiting times than many other large cities. Private healthcare options are abundant for those who want additional coverage. For international residents, the ability to access world-class treatment without leaving the city is crucial. Valencia’s healthcare rating is therefore a solid 10.
Climate is the final core factor. With around 2,600 hours of sunshine annually, winters stay mild, rarely dipping below 10°C, and summers average a comfortable 30°C without the extremes of Andalusian heat. This allows residents to enjoy the beaches, parks, and open-air spaces almost year-round. Valencia receives a climate score of 9.
Expats often say it feels like a capital city stripped of the worst parts—manageable size, lower prices, and steady access to healthcare. Combined scores bring Valencia to an overall rating of 9.0, securing the top spot.
But what if instead of a big city, you would prefer a smaller one, with 30 to 40 thousand residents, where life is slower, prices are even lower, and everything looks simpler?
For you, I ranked the best small cities and towns to live in Europe.
Levi Borba is the founder of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. You can find him on X here. Some of the links above might be affiliated links, meaning the author earns a small commission if you make a purchase.
