Islamabad Beats London, Paris and New York in Quality of Life Index 2026

Islamabad has ranked ahead of several major international cities, including London, Paris and New York, in Numbeo’s 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index. Pakistan’s capital scored 140.7 points, outperforming these global cities in an assessment that considers factors such as safety, living costs, healthcare, climate and purchasing power.

The ranking highlights Islamabad’s relative strengths in safety and affordability. However, its overall performance also reveals challenges, particularly in residents’ purchasing power, showing that a higher quality-of-life score does not necessarily mean every aspect of living in a city is better.

Islamabad Scores 140.7 Points in Global Quality of Life Ranking

According to Numbeo’s 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index, Islamabad recorded a score of 140.7 points, placing it ahead of several prominent international cities.

The reported scores for the cities are as follows:

Islamabad also performed better than several other international cities in the reported comparison. However, it remained behind leading performers such as The Hague in the Netherlands, which scored 221.5 points, and Eindhoven, which recorded 210.7 points.

The results indicate that Islamabad performs competitively across the indicators included in the index, although the ranking does not mean that the city outperforms these international destinations in every aspect of urban life.

Islamabad Leads Pakistani Cities in Quality of Life

Islamabad also recorded the highest quality-of-life score among the three major Pakistani cities included in the comparison.

The reported scores were:

The difference highlights Islamabad’s stronger performance across the indicators considered in the assessment.

However, residents’ actual living experiences can vary considerably depending on their income, neighbourhood, access to public services, housing costs and employment opportunities. The index should therefore be viewed as a comparative measure rather than a definitive assessment of every resident’s quality of life.

Safety and Lower Living Costs Support Islamabad’s Ranking

Safety and affordability are important factors in assessing urban living conditions. Islamabad recorded a Safety Index score of 69.2 and a Cost of Living Index score of 25.3.

For comparison, the reported cost-of-living scores for London, Paris and New York were considerably higher.

These figures indicate that Islamabad has a substantially lower cost-of-living index than the three international cities.

However, a lower cost-of-living score does not automatically mean that everyday expenses are affordable for everyone. Actual affordability depends on salaries, household expenses, housing costs and purchasing power.

For people earning international salaries, Islamabad’s lower living costs may offer a significant financial advantage. Residents earning local salaries, however, may experience affordability differently.

Healthcare, Climate and Pollution Scores

Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index also considers healthcare, climate, pollution and purchasing power to provide a broader comparison of living conditions.

Islamabad recorded the following scores in the reported assessment:

Islamabad’s Climate Index score of 76.9 reflects its performance in the climate-related component of the assessment, while its Healthcare Index score stood at 63.7.

The city also recorded a Pollution Index score of 41.5. This indicator should be interpreted according to Numbeo’s methodology rather than treated as a direct measurement of pollutant concentrations.

Meanwhile, Islamabad’s Purchasing Power Index score of 43.7 highlights an important consideration. Although the city has a comparatively low cost-of-living index, residents’ ability to afford goods and services also depends on their income.

This distinction is important when comparing living standards across countries with significantly different salary levels.

How Reliable Is the Quality of Life Index?

Although Islamabad’s position ahead of London, Paris and New York is noteworthy, the results require context.

Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index combines several indicators, including purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, property affordability, traffic, pollution and climate.

The platform relies substantially on user-contributed information and surveys rather than exclusively on official government statistics.

Consequently, the index provides a comparative snapshot of reported and perceived living conditions. It should not be treated as a complete or definitive measurement of every aspect of urban life.

Employment opportunities, income levels, infrastructure, public transport, housing affordability and access to essential services can differ significantly between cities and individual neighbourhoods.

The ranking therefore does not establish that Islamabad offers a better overall living experience than every part of London, Paris or New York. Instead, it indicates that Islamabad performs competitively when the selected indicators are combined under Numbeo’s methodology.

What Islamabad’s Ranking Means for Pakistan

Islamabad’s performance provides a positive international comparison for Pakistan’s capital, particularly in terms of safety and relative living costs.

The results also highlight the importance of balancing affordability with purchasing power, access to quality healthcare and sustainable urban development.

Continued improvements in infrastructure, environmental conditions, public services and employment opportunities could further strengthen Islamabad’s position as a place to live and work.

Ultimately, Islamabad’s score of 140.7 points places it ahead of London, Paris and New York in Numbeo’s reported 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index. However, the city’s purchasing power score demonstrates why lower living costs should be considered alongside residents’ incomes and overall financial well-being.