Explore 2025’s top 10 most luxurious cities where HNWIs live, from Singapore to Milan, blending wealth & lifestyle.

Welcome to a journey through the world’s most luxurious cities of 2025, where opulence, culture, and exclusivity converge.

According to the latest Julius Baer Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report 2025, cities like Singapore (SIN), London (LHR), and Hong Kong (HKG) continue to captivate the global elite.

These urban centers not only define wealth but also set the standard for quality living, experiences, and financial growth.

Most Luxurious Cities in the World in 2025

Whether you’re a high-net-worth individual (HNWI) considering your next residence or an avid traveler seeking the epitome of luxury, this curated list of the world’s top ten luxurious cities offers invaluable insights into where the affluent are choosing to live, invest, and thrive.

1. Singapore

Singapore holds its crown as the most expensive city globally for the third consecutive year. Known for its impeccable urban planning, cleanliness, and safety, the Lion City continues to attract HNWIs through initiatives like the Global Investor Programme.

In 2025, the cost of business class flights from Singapore rose by 14.5%, reflecting high demand. Despite healthcare costs dropping by 35.8%, luxury remains entrenched in the city, particularly with cars and women’s handbags being the costliest items.

With its strategic location in Asia, top-tier education, and a pro-business environment, Singapore is a magnet for those seeking stability coupled with prestige.

2. London, UK

London climbs to second place, reaffirming its status as a global cultural and financial hub. While the UK has introduced tax reforms such as the abolition of non-domiciled residency, London retains its appeal through its vibrant arts scene, historical landmarks, and strong educational institutions.

Business class flights in London saw a 28.3% price increase, yet the city’s allure remains undiminished. Private schooling, LASIK procedures, and MBAs are among the highest expenses, while cars remain relatively affordable.

London’s blend of heritage, modernity, and cosmopolitan lifestyle ensures its place among the elite cities.

3. Hong Kong

Hong Kong, though slipping to third place, remains a pivotal financial gateway to China. The city continues to attract wealthy families and investors through tax incentives and its robust investment environment.

The cost of a treadmill rose by 12.6%, yet champagne remains the cheapest indulgence in the city. With a resurgence in tourism and a strong export market, Hong Kong sustains its position as a luxurious and strategically essential city for HNWIs.

4. Monaco

Monaco’s glamour is unmatched, placing it fourth among the most luxurious cities. This tiny principality, famed for its casino, yacht-lined harbors, and Grand Prix, abolished income tax in the 1860s, making it a longstanding tax haven.

Monaco saw business class flights rise by 30.4%, and its residential property remains some of the priciest globally.

Despite its diminutive size, Monaco offers unparalleled luxury living, with MBA programs and real estate being the most significant expenses.

5. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich stands as Switzerland’s epitome of financial stability and high living standards, ranking fifth. The city offers low taxes, first-rate education, and a tranquil environment, attracting wealthy expatriates.

MBA programs are the most expensive index item, while private schooling remains affordable. Zurich’s compact city charm, combined with global connectivity, ensures its continued allure for the affluent.

6. Shanghai, China

Shanghai, once the pinnacle of luxury in 2022, now ranks sixth. The city remains a symbol of China’s economic might, though recent cultural shifts toward modesty have dampened overt displays of wealth.

Fine dining is notably expensive, positioning Shanghai as the world’s priciest city for degustation dinners. The cost of a watch rose by 11.3%, yet champagne is among the most affordable luxury items.

7. Dubai, UAE

Dubai makes a powerful comeback to the top ten, securing seventh place. Renowned for its futuristic skyline, luxury shopping, and zero personal income tax, Dubai continues to draw affluent expatriates.

Champagne prices soared by 33.6%, while technology packages became cheaper. Business class flights remain relatively affordable. Dubai’s strategic growth, residency schemes, and cosmopolitan lifestyle make it a rising star in global luxury.

8. New York, USA

New York City, the only North American city in the top ten, ranks eighth. Despite a 46.5% surge in business class flight costs, NYC remains a beacon for finance, arts, and culture.

Hotel suites are the most expensive globally, yet technology products are attractively priced. The city’s dynamism and enduring cultural influence maintain its status among the world’s luxury capitals.

9. Paris, France

Paris, the city of lights, secures the ninth spot. Hosting the 2024 Olympics has propelled its tourism and hospitality sectors, with hotel suite prices skyrocketing by 84.2%.

While MBAs and spa treatments are the most costly, private education remains affordable. Paris continues to enchant with its blend of history, fashion, and culinary excellence.

10. Milan, Italy

Milan rounds out the list as the tenth most luxurious city. As a global fashion and design hub, Milan combines cultural heritage with financial significance.

Hotel suite prices increased by 26.6%, while LASIK procedures saw a 31% price drop. Business class flights remain among the cheapest globally. Milan’s strategic tax policies and luxury appeal make it a city on the rise.

Factors Influencing Luxury Rankings

Economic Policies and Taxation

Tax policies play a pivotal role in attracting wealthy residents. Cities like Monaco and Dubai benefit from tax-free environments, while London navigates changes in its non-dom status.

Infrastructure and Safety

Safety, healthcare, and infrastructure are crucial for HNWIs when choosing a city. Singapore, Zurich, and London excel in these areas, ensuring peace of mind for residents.

Real Estate and Education

Real estate prices and the availability of elite education significantly impact a city’s luxury ranking. Monaco and Zurich have some of the priciest properties, whereas cities like Zurich offer more affordable private education.

Cultural and Lifestyle Offerings

Experiences matter. Cities like Paris, Milan, and New York offer rich cultural landscapes, from fashion weeks to art exhibitions and gourmet dining, enhancing their appeal to the wealthy.

The Shift from Goods to Experiences

Interestingly, the report highlights a growing preference among HNWIs for experiences over material goods. Fine dining, bespoke travel, and exclusive events are increasingly valued, reflecting a broader shift in luxury consumption.

This trend is evident in the rise of experiential spending in regions like the Middle East, APAC, and Latin America. High-end brands are adapting by expanding into hospitality and curated experiences, ensuring they remain relevant to evolving consumer preferences.

Planning for Longevity: Physical and Financial

The 2025 report also emphasizes the growing importance of longevity among the wealthy. With increased life expectancy, affluent individuals are focusing on health, wellness, and financial strategies that ensure a prosperous, extended life.

Cities offering top-tier healthcare, wellness programs, and financial services tailored to longevity are becoming more attractive. Singapore, Zurich, and London lead in these aspects, providing comprehensive solutions for both physical and financial well-being.

Top Cities by Region

Asia-Pacific (APAC)

1. Singapore (SIN)
2. Hong Kong (HKG)
3. Shanghai (PVG)
4. Sydney (SYD)
5. Taipei (TPE)
6. Tokyo (HND)
7. Bangkok (BKK)
8. Jakarta (CGK)
9. Manila (MNL)
10. Mumbai (BOM)

Europe

1. London (LHR)
2. Monaco (NCE)
3. Zurich (ZRH)
4. Paris (CDG)
5. Milan (MXP)
6. Frankfurt (FRA)
7. Barcelona (BCN)
8. Geneva (GVA)
9. Madrid (MAD)
10. Vienna (VIE)

North America

1. New York (JFK)
2. Miami (MIA)
3. Vancouver (YVR)

Latin America

1. Sao Paulo (GRU)
2. Mexico City (MEX)
3. Santiago de Chile (SCL)

Middle East

1. Dubai (DXB)
2. Abu Dhabi (AUH)
3. Doha (DOH)

The Road Ahead

Global uncertainties, including political shifts, trade tensions, and economic reforms, will continue to shape the landscape of luxury living. However, cities that adapt by enhancing infrastructure, cultural offerings, and tax policies will remain magnets for global wealth.

Whether through the opulent streets of Monaco or the vibrant avenues of New York, these top ten cities exemplify the pinnacle of luxury living in 2025.

For HNWIs, the choice of where to live is not just about wealth but about crafting a lifestyle that balances exclusivity, culture, and long-term prosperity.

Packing light can be a challenge, but it’s achievable with smart strategies. The article suggests creating a capsule wardrobe by mixing and matching clothes. Organizing space with compression bags, using travel-sized toiletries, and planning outfits beforehand are also crucial. Limiting shoes and packing laundry items further contribute to a lighter, more comfortable trip.

Packing is the most painful part for every traveller. The need to take anything and everything thinking of the “what-ifs” makes packing a difficult task. Everyone is constantly bugging the travellers about packing light, not taking extra luggage, and a lot more but no one ever tells you how to pack light or pack a carry-on instead of a heavy suitcase.

Today, we are going to make your life easier as we have curated the perfect list for you:

A Capsule Wardrobe

This means that travellers only pack those clothes that can be matched with more than one item. This helps save both money and space. For example, if they are going to a beach destination, pack one or two pairs of shorts and several tees or tops that can go with them. There is no point carrying a thousand clothes when you can just mix and match stuff.

Organize Space

Distribute clothes and other accessories into different bags and then compress those bags to reduce as much space as possible. This will also help avoid mixing clean and dirty clothes. Travellers can also put socks in their shoes to save space. Even rolling their clothes and stacking them neatly will help.

Avoid Using Big-Sized Toiletries

Travellers should avoid taking big bottles of toiletries. Instead, they should prefer squeezing them into smaller bottles for travel.

Certain airlines allow only a specific amount of liquids while travelling, so they need to check the amount their airline allows to avoid having their items thrown away.

Weigh Your Bag

Weighing your bag before travelling is always a good option to avoid paying extra charges for your baggage. It also helps in leaving behind unnecessary items at home.

Plan Each Outfit

Travellers should plan their outfits beforehand to avoid overpacking. Once they have an idea in their head about what they are going to wear each day, they can avoid all those items that are mostly unnecessary.

Pack Laundry Items

Travellers can also pack toiletries to wash their clothes during the trip. They can carry a small box of detergent sheets to wash small items and reuse them easily.

Limit Your Shoes

Rather than taking several pairs, just pack shoes that can be worn on different occasions and wear the bulkiest one while travelling. Shoes usually take up the most space in the luggage, so limiting them will really reduce the weight.

By using these simple tips, you can make your trip lighter and more comfortable! Happy holiday!

Travelling can expose you to various health risks. Prioritize hygiene by washing hands and wearing masks. Consult your doctor for necessary vaccinations and a travel health kit. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and eat cautiously, opting for bottled water and fresh food. Stay hydrated with fiber-rich foods. Manage stress by planning ahead to ensure a healthy and enjoyable trip.

No one wants to get sick on their vacation, but the number of diseases circulating worldwide plus the added challenges of travel makes it difficult to manage our water or healthy food intake. Staying healthy while travelling is everyone’s priority, so you need to be prepared and be aware of any health issues and take measures to protect yourselves. The effort to stay healthy while travelling starts way before you go on that trip.

You need to take preventive measures before and during your trip, and we have curated the perfect list for you:

Hygiene is the priority

While travelling, it is necessary to keep your hands clean. So keep your hands properly clean with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating food or touching your face. When you are in crowded places, wear a mask to prevent any airborne diseases like the flu or measles. You should also disinfect areas in public places with a sanitizer spray or disinfectant wipes.

Visit your doctor before leaving for your international trip

Before you leave for that much-awaited trip, go to your doctor and confirm that you’re fit to travel.

Take all the vaccines that have been pending before you travel. Most importantly, you need to prepare a travel health kit with all the medicines that you might need- pain relievers, anti‑diarrheal meds, ORS packets, and insect repellents.

Get as much sleep as possible

During international travel, the main impact on you is the disrupted sleep schedule due to different time zones. If you focus more on exploration than on sleep, you’re definitely going to get sick. Try to get 8 hours of good‑quality sleep and sleep at appropriate times. Sleep is very important for the proper functioning of our immune system.

Eat cautiously

Food and waterborne diseases are common while travelling, so you need to consume cautiously while traveling. You should avoid tap water and always opt for bottled or filtered water to avoid infection. It can feel tempting to consume the local street food on vacation, but that should be done cautiously too. Always check if the food is fresh and if proper hygiene practices are being practiced there. If you’re eating raw fruits or vegetables, wash them thoroughly with clean water.

Stay hydrated

While travelling, it is very important to stay hydrated, as your gut needs all the support it can get. Most people suffer from travel related issues like constipation, and staying hydrated greatly helps with this. Try to have at least one meal a day that is rich in fiber, or eat chia seeds, greens, beans, berries, bananas, and pears, which are gut‑friendly snacks.

Say ‘NO’ to stress

When packing for an international trip, we are constantly on edge about documents, immigration procedures, the weather, what clothes to pack, and more which causes a lot of stress. You should try to get everything done as early as possible to avoid stress at the last minute. Stress is a major contributor to sickness, so you need to avoid it at all costs to prevent it from ruining your vacation.

Finding beauty in the airport may sound more like a philosophical experiment than a realistic travel experience, but the most innovative terminals of today are prioritizing architecture and aesthetics as integral elements of their design.

Every year, the Prix Versailles architecture awards highlights the most beautiful new airport terminals around the world. Beyond just visual appearances, the prize also aims to recognize intelligent sustainability in airport design.

Modern airports “must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves,” Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, said in a statement. “This new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty.”

The six airports that made the 2025 Prix Versailles list harness design elements that evoke the serenity of nature while incorporating innovations to limit carbon output. In December, three of the airports will be selected to win the even more prestigious Prix Versailles World Title.

Below are the six most architecturally stunning new airports of 2025.

China’s Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2

Yantai’s seaside landscapes were the inspiration for the new terminal at the city’s international airport. The building’s large undulating roof was inspired by nearby Kunyu Mountain, and its interior curves and stone were designed to mimic the region’s scenic coastline.

Skylights are interspersed throughout the structure, designed to guide passengers to the departure gates. At the terminal’s apex, a glazed diagrid dome sits above a multi-story atrium, allowing natural light to filter down through the building. Abstract interpretations of wooden ships’ hulls are scattered throughout, a nod to the region’s Maritime Silk Road history. In order to minimize impact on the surrounding land, the building itself is laid out in an E-shape, which also helps to optimize passenger flow.

The 167,000-square-meter terminal building was designed by Aedas along with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute. Opened in June 2024, the new building has increased Yantai airport’s total capacity of 23 million passengers per year.

Get there: Although the airport is mainly utilized for international flights between China, Korea, and Japan, US travellers can find one-stop routes to Yantai from 11 major US airports with Korean Air.

France’s Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1

Travellers arriving into Marseille, France (one of Condé Nast Traveller’s best places to go in 2025) will find the glamour of Provence now begins at the airport. A new building links the airport’s two existing Terminal 1 structures, which were constructed in the 1960s and 1990s. The link, which is called a coeur, or heart in English, is a window-lined hall with soaring, 72-foot ceilings featuring a grid of polished aluminum skylights to promote natural ventilation. The building itself is made of 70% recycled steel and adds 28,000 square metres of space to the airport.

A warm French timber canopy encloses the security area, while the terminal’s wood-clad shops and restaurants are a visual homage to the boat houses found in the Old Port of Marseille. Floor-to-ceiling windows grant sweeping views of Provence’s hills and Marseille’s lagoon for an added sense of calm. Foster + Partners, which designed the new building, had an overall goal of “reorganizing passenger flows through a set of simple, bright, and easy to navigate spaces.”

Get there: US fliers can travel to the airport on a one-stop itinerary with Air France from New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Tampa, Austin, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Raleigh, Washington DC, Denver, and Detroit.

Réunion Island’s Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal

A paradise in the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island’s newest airport terminal harnesses the isle’s tropical nature and frequent trade winds to reduce its carbon footprint. Drawing inspiration from the island’s famous green canyons, the bioclimatic airport structure houses a central “canyon” that acts as a thermal chimney to enable natural ventilation. On the building’s exterior, 830 sets of louvered shutters are connected to a series of sensors on the facade. The shutters’ angles are adjusted in real time to respond to the island’s frequently changing weather conditions. This also creates a low-pressure system that extracts the interior air, according to AIA Life Designers, the architecture firm behind the project.

Inside the arrivals hall, travellers will get a taste of the island’s natural wonders as soon as they step off the plane, thanks to the extensive use of wood throughout the building, as well as lush native vegetation throughout.

Get there: Réunion Island is an official department of France, and US passengers can fly to Réunion on one-stop itineraries with Air France from 14 American gateway cities.

Japan’s Kansai International Airport Terminal 1

Adding a new building to Osaka’s Kansai Airport was no simple feat. Built by renowned architect Renzo Piano on an artificial island, the existing facility is known as a paragon of innovation and high taste. But the airport’s new Terminal 1 building managed to live up to that illustrious legacy.

The new interior spaces were designed with a palette of natural materials to give the space “a distinctly Japanese feel,” according to architecture firm Populous. The international departure lounge and retail area is now 60% larger with a commercial section that includes 13 stores and a street food court that features Japanese staples like ramen, udon, and plenty of sushi shops, as well as upscale chains like a Dior café. It’s hard to imagine better airport food than that!

Another addition is a new security area that has faster smart lanes, which can process up to 6,000 passengers per hour. “The new queuing management system is the first of its kind in Japan, automatically controlling flapper gates to switch waiting lines by utilizing real-time passenger flow data,” says Populous. “The system enables passengers to be automatically guided to the security inspection lanes based on the number of passengers and their flow.”

The project has increased the terminal’s annual passenger capacity by a significant 25%, and it opened just in time to accommodate millions of travellers visiting Osaka for the 2025 World Expo.

Get there: For American travellers looking to visit Osaka, United Airlines operates nonstop flights to Kansai International Airport from San Francisco, Japan Airlines flies a nonstop route from Los Angeles, and Hawaiian Airlines has nonstop flights from Honolulu.

Portland International Airport Main Terminal

Portland’s new terminal brings the beauty of the Pacific Northwest indoors by emulating Oregon’s lush forests. In fact, architecture firm ZGF said the terminal’s design concept was inspired by walks in the forest, with the goal of creating a similarly immersive and calming experience for passengers. The most distinctive feature is the building’s wave-like roof made of nine acres of local Oregon timber, sourced from landowners and mills within 300 miles of the airport, including community forests practicing sustainable forestry.

The terminal follows the concept of biophilia, or the tendency for humans to seek out nature. Main walkways throughout the terminal are filled with sunlight and greenery: There are 72 large trees inside the building that stretch up to 25 feet tall, as well as 5,000 other green plants sprouting throughout the space. The timber roof slats diffuse light in a similar manner as a forest canopy, and 60% of the terminal is bathed by natural light.

In the concessions hall, local purveyors like Blue Star Donuts + Coffee, Mo’s Seafood & Chowder, and Powell’s Books contribute to the strong sense of place. There’s even a microcinema showcasing short films by local filmmakers. The new terminal is designed to double the airport’s capacity and accommodate 35 million passengers a year by 2045.

Get there: Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for Alaska Airlines, and a focus city for other major US carriers like Delta, American, and United.

San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1

SFO’s newest building sports some impressive statistics, but they have nothing to do with passenger numbers. Rather, it’s the respectable size of the facility’s carbon footprint that is awe-inspiring. The recent in-depth renovation has shrunk the building’s carbon output by 79% and reduced its overall energy usage by 59%. Other impressive numbers include a waste diversion rate of over 90% and a 50% reduction in potable water use.

Efficient design elements such as fritted glass for glare reduction, photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof, and a low-carbon baggage handling system all added up to create major results. The architectural teams at Gensler and Kuth Ranieri even installed two plumbing systems to separate non-potable water to be used in flushing fixtures and for landscaping.

But amid all of these reductions, passengers don’t have to sacrifice any aspect of comfort. The terminal has spacious skylights throughout for doses of sunlight as well as creative design touches to highlight San Francisco’s unique arts and crafts style. The building is also home to the SFO museum, which is the world’s only accredited museum inside an airport.

Get there: Alaska Airlines is the largest domestic carrier operating out of SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines also offer flights.