A July 2026 report on urban living found that Kigali, Rwanda, is the best city to live in Africa. A new study by the digital entertainment platform JB.com analyzed quality of life, safety, healthcare, and pollution across the continent to see which cities offer the highest standard of living.
Kigali is the best African city to call home, with the safest streets on the list and a high quality of life.Living conditions are the best in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with a score of nearly 162 that beats New York, London, and Barcelona.South Africa claims half the spots in the top ten, making it the best country for urban living on the continent.
The study looked at seven factors that shape daily life in a city. Quality of life, safety and disposable income determine how comfortable, secure and financially free residents feel, while healthcare access, pollution levels, traffic congestion and internet speed affect the practical side of everyday living. Cities with higher scores offer a better overall living experience.
1. Kigali, Rwanda
• Quality of Life Index: 119.6
• Healthcare Index: 74
• Safety Index: 74.82
• Cost of Living: $414.8
Kigali is the best city to live in Africa. Residents feel safe walking around, day or night, thanks to a safety rating of nearly 75 out of 100, the highest in the study. Healthcare is reliable, and the air is clean, with pollution scoring just 43. The comfortable living conditions don’t come with a huge price tag: a monthly budget of about $415 covers living costs easily. People here do not have to choose between safety, health, and affordability.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town ranks second with the second-best standard of living at 160, coupled with solid healthcare infrastructure (index of 69). Plus, the city offers strong earning potential for those who can access it. Cape Town’s natural beauty, strong economy, and dependable healthcare make it a top contender. Cape Town gives people a high quality of life, though it asks for more vigilance in return.
3. Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Port Elizabeth takes third place with the strongest living conditions at 162, outperforming metropolises like New York, London, and Barcelona. Healthcare infrastructure is reliable, and people spend about $683 per month, which is moderate for the region. The safety rating is similar to other South African cities, and residents enjoy a comfortable life at a reasonable price.
4. Rabat, Morocco
Rabat ranks fourth with a safety rating of 66, the second highest in the top five and well above the African average. Quality of life scores 147, similarly performing higher than many European cities like Paris, London, or Budapest. Monthly living costs are about $556, and pollution is the lowest in the top five, so the air is clean, and the streets are remarkably litter-free.
5. Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek rounds out the top five with a quality of life score of 158, driven by a balance of affordability, freedom and access to nature that few African cities can match. Healthcare ranks at 67, reflecting reliable medical facilities for a city of its size. Safety rating sits at 33, with residents reporting fewer concerns than in South Africa’s major cities. Monthly expenses run higher at about $726, but the city offers good healthcare and a clean environment in return.
A travel analyst from JB.com commented on the ranking: “We spend so much time online comparing places to live: scrolling photos, checking forums, reading guides. But when you strip all that away and look at the numbers, the cities that actually make life easier aren’t always the ones with the best marketing. Kigali won because it simply gets the basics right: you feel safe, you can afford to live, and the air doesn’t hurt your lungs. You don’t have to choose one thing at the expense of another, and that kind of balance is what makes a city truly livable.”
Source: www.jb.com
Photo: Portraitor/Pixabay