{"id":84,"date":"2026-05-27T10:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lenstore.ie\/eye-care\/?p=84"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:58:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T10:58:05","slug":"healthy-lifestyle-cities-report-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lenstore.ie\/eye-care\/healthy-lifestyle-cities-report-2023","title":{"rendered":"Lenstore Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n

We’ve been researching and ranking the world’s healthiest cities to live in since 2019, and with our Lenstore Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2023 we’ve expanded our study to 58 cities across 35 countries. This year we’ve gathered data across 13 lifestyle factors \u2014 from air quality and hours of sunshine to gym membership costs and happiness scores \u2014 to give each city a total score, then ranked them accordingly.<\/p>\n

If you’re curious about which cities topped the Lenstore Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2023, and which ones came in at the bottom, read on for the full results.<\/p>\n

The top 10 cities in the Lenstore Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2023<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Position<\/strong><\/td>\nCity<\/strong><\/td>\nPercentage score<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\nAmsterdam<\/td>\n78%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nVienna<\/td>\n78%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nGeneva<\/td>\n72%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nHelsinki<\/td>\n71%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nStockholm<\/td>\n70%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nZurich<\/td>\n69%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nFrankfurt<\/td>\n67%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nCopenhagen<\/td>\n66%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nPlymouth<\/td>\n65%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nNorwich<\/td>\n63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

1. Amsterdam<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Amsterdam\"<\/figure>\n

Amsterdam has claimed the top spot in the Lenstore Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2023 with a score of 78%, retaining its 2022 title thanks to its high air quality (88.89), water quality (78.38) and happiness score (68.7 out of 100).<\/p>\n

With a total of 534 points out of a possible 684, the Dutch capital also has one of the lowest obesity rates of all the cities studied (20.4%) and one of the lowest average working hours per year (1,427).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,858<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a328.17<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 6.87 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,427<\/p>\n

2. Vienna<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Vienna\"<\/figure>\n

Vienna takes second place in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report with a score of 78%, just behind Amsterdam on total points (533 vs 534). The Austrian capital stands out for its high water quality (87.94), happiness score (68.6 out of 100) and one of the lowest average working hours of all cities studied (1,565).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,884<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a334.61<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 6.86 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,565<\/p>\n

3. Geneva<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Geneva\"<\/figure>\n

Geneva ranks third in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report. The Swiss city stands out for having the highest water quality of all 58 cities (91.35), along with very high air quality (87.04) and life expectancy (83.45 years). However, Geneva is notably expensive when it comes to gym memberships, which are among the highest in the index at \u00a391.61 per month.<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,887<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a391.61<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 6.42 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,557<\/p>\n

4. Helsinki<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Helsinki\"<\/figure>\n

Helsinki takes fourth place in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report with a score of 71%, up from 5th place in 2022. The Finnish capital earns this position thanks to its excellent air quality (90 \u2014 the highest of all cities in the study), high water quality (86.96), high life expectancy (81.91 years) and a very strong happiness score (73 out of 100).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,858<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a342.98<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 7.3 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,612<\/p>\n

5. Stockholm<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Stockholm\"<\/figure>\n

Stockholm claims fifth place in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report with a score of 70%, rising from 6th in 2022. The Swedish capital boasts high air quality (88.5), water quality (85.71), life expectancy (82.97 years) and one of the highest happiness scores in the study (72.3 out of 100).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,821<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a338.68<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 7.23 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,612<\/p>\n

6. Zurich<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Zurich\"<\/figure>\n

Zurich takes sixth place in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report with a score of 69%, up from 9th in 2022. Like Geneva, the Swiss city is notable for its excellent water quality (87.94), low obesity rate (17.5%) and high life expectancy (83.45 years). As with Geneva, gym memberships in Zurich are among the most expensive in the index (\u00a382.36 per month).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,693<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a382.36<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 6.42 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,557<\/p>\n

7. Frankfurt<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Frankfurt\"<\/figure>\n

Frankfurt comes in seventh with a score of 67% in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report, moving up from 12th in 2022. The German city scores well for its water quality (81.25), low obesity rate (22.3%), good life expectancy (80.94 years) and relatively affordable gym memberships at \u00a331.92 per month.<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,634<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a331.92<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 6.19 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,349<\/p>\n

8. Copenhagen<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Copenhagen\"<\/figure>\n

Copenhagen takes eighth place in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report with a score of 66%, down from third in 2022. Despite the slight drop, the Danish capital still scores very well for life expectancy (80.85 years), happiness (75.5 out of 100 \u2014 the highest of all cities studied), water quality (83.67) and air quality (83.33).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,912<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a335.53<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 4.5 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,400<\/p>\n

9. Plymouth<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Plymouth\"<\/figure>\n

https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/MaznKgsc1q0<\/a><\/p>\n

Plymouth takes the title of the highest-scoring British city in the Lenstore 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report (65%).<\/p>\n

Overall, the city accumulated 442 points out of a possible 684, largely due to its high air quality (73.81), water quality (76.39), strong happiness score (56 out of 100) and the high life expectancy of its residents (81.77 years). The city also boasts the most annual sunshine hours of all the British cities compared in this study (1,732).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,732<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a336.71<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 5.6 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,670<\/p>\n

10. Norwich<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/hItceTMlMt4<\/a><\/p>\n

Norwich takes second place as the British city with the second highest percentage score in the Lenstore 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report (63%).<\/p>\n

Overall, the city accumulates a total of 430 points out of a possible 684, just 12 points behind Plymouth. The city owes this notable runner-up position to the long life expectancy of its residents (81.77 years), high air quality (73.81), water quality (76.39) and a good happiness score (56 out of 100).<\/p>\n

Hours of sunshine:<\/strong> 1,611<\/p>\n

Gym membership cost:<\/strong> \u00a336.38<\/p>\n

Happiness score:<\/strong> 5.6 \/ 10<\/p>\n

Average hours worked per year:<\/strong> 1,670<\/p>\n

Which cities scored worst in 2023?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/3TBuSLluZ8w<\/a><\/p>\n

With a total of 181.5 points out of 684, Mexico City was one of the lowest-scoring cities in the 2023 Healthy Lifestyle index, dropping four places compared to 2022.<\/p>\n

The Mexican capital also has a low average life expectancy (75.41 years), as well as poor air quality (18.72) and water quality (32.42). On average, its residents face the highest number of working hours per year of all 58 cities compared in this study (2,255). The cost of a gym membership for an adult is also high (\u00a340.95), while the number of parks and green spaces per capita is low (0.003 per 10,000 residents), as is the number of outdoor activities on offer (0.02 per 10,000 residents).<\/p>\n

The 10 lowest-scoring cities in the Lenstore 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Position<\/strong><\/td>\nCity<\/strong><\/td>\nPercentage score<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 (58th place)<\/td>\nMexico City<\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2 (57th place)<\/td>\nNew York<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3 (56th place)<\/td>\nShanghai<\/td>\n31%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4 (55th place)<\/td>\nChicago<\/td>\n32%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5 (54th place)<\/td>\nLos Angeles<\/td>\n36%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6 (53rd place)<\/td>\nIstanbul<\/td>\n36%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7 (52nd place)<\/td>\nJohannesburg<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8 (51st place)<\/td>\nHong Kong<\/td>\n38%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9 (50th place)<\/td>\nBeijing<\/td>\n39%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10 (49th place)<\/td>\nTaipei<\/td>\n40%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Despite its low score, Mexico City can boast a high number of annual sunshine hours (2,555) and a notably positive happiness score (54.3 out of 100).<\/p>\n

Other cities that also scored poorly include New York in the United States (30%\/57th), Shanghai in China (31%\/56th), Chicago in the United States (32%\/55th) and Los Angeles, also in the United States (36%\/54th). Of the six US cities featured in this Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report, three occupy the lowest positions in the ranking, and none appear in the top 20.<\/p>\n

Lenstore 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report \u2014 Full index<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Position<\/strong><\/td>\nCity<\/strong><\/td>\nPercentage score<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\nAmsterdam<\/td>\n78%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nVienna<\/td>\n78%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nGeneva<\/td>\n72%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nHelsinki<\/td>\n71%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nStockholm<\/td>\n70%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nZurich<\/td>\n69%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nFrankfurt<\/td>\n67%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nCopenhagen<\/td>\n66%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nPlymouth<\/td>\n65%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nNorwich<\/td>\n63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\nSheffield<\/td>\n63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\nCardiff<\/td>\n62%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>\nBerlin<\/td>\n62%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\nMadrid<\/td>\n61%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\nBelfast<\/td>\n60%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\nHull<\/td>\n59%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\nLiverpool<\/td>\n59%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nBuenos Aires<\/td>\n58%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>\nSydney<\/td>\n57%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>\nGlasgow<\/td>\n57%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\nFukuoka<\/td>\n57%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>\nParis<\/td>\n57%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\nMelbourne<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nBarcelona<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nNewcastle<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nVancouver<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nDublin<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\nMilan<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>\nBristol<\/td>\n54%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/td>\nSouthampton<\/td>\n54%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>\nBrussels<\/td>\n52%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>\nEdinburgh<\/td>\n51%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>\nTel Aviv<\/td>\n50%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>\nTokyo<\/td>\n49%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>\nCairo<\/td>\n47%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>\nLondon<\/td>\n46%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37<\/td>\nSeoul<\/td>\n45%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38<\/td>\nToronto<\/td>\n44%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39<\/td>\nMumbai<\/td>\n44%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/td>\nBoston<\/td>\n44%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41<\/td>\nSan Francisco<\/td>\n44%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42<\/td>\nBirmingham<\/td>\n43%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/td>\nManchester<\/td>\n42%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44<\/td>\nMoscow<\/td>\n42%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nJakarta<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46<\/td>\nWashington DC<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47<\/td>\nSao Paulo<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
48<\/td>\nBangkok<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49<\/td>\nTaipei<\/td>\n40%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/td>\nBeijing<\/td>\n39%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
51<\/td>\nHong Kong<\/td>\n38%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
52<\/td>\nJohannesburg<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
53<\/td>\nIstanbul<\/td>\n36%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
54<\/td>\nLos Angeles<\/td>\n36%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
55<\/td>\nChicago<\/td>\n32%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
56<\/td>\nShanghai<\/td>\n31%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
57<\/td>\nNew York<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
58<\/td>\nMexico City<\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Healthy lifestyle factor<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage across all cities in the study<\/strong><\/td>\nHighest total by category<\/strong><\/td>\nLowest total by category<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Obesity rates (by country in 2023 \/ 18+)<\/td>\n23.99%<\/td>\n44%<\/td>\n3.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average life expectancy (by country)<\/td>\n80.62<\/td>\n85.29<\/td>\n64.88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hours of sunshine (annual)<\/td>\n2,041.75<\/td>\n3,541.8<\/td>\n1,277<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air quality (1 = low \/ 100 = high)<\/td>\n54.21<\/td>\n90<\/td>\n15.97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water quality (1 = low \/ 100 = high)<\/td>\n58.21<\/td>\n91.35<\/td>\n13.28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of “nature & parks” per 10,000 residents<\/td>\n0.04<\/td>\n0.22<\/td>\n0.004<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of “outdoor activities” per 10,000 residents<\/td>\n0.25<\/td>\n2.21<\/td>\n0.017<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Happiness score (by country \u2014 1 = low \/ 100 = high)<\/td>\n48.3<\/td>\n60.1<\/td>\n34.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average hours worked per year (by country)<\/td>\n1,746<\/td>\n2,255<\/td>\n1,430<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average working week (hours \/ by country)<\/td>\n37<\/td>\n44<\/td>\n30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost of a 1.5L bottle of water (GBP)<\/td>\n\u00a30.97<\/td>\n\u00a32.03<\/td>\n\u00a30.18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost of a monthly gym membership (GBP)<\/td>\n\u00a340.01<\/td>\n\u00a391.61<\/td>\n\u00a316.46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While at Lenstore our primary focus is eye health<\/a>, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall and the impact it can have on our physical health \u2014 and crucially, our mental health too.<\/p>\n

Naturally, many factors determine a person’s overall health and wellbeing, and while some things are beyond our immediate control, there are undoubtedly choices we can make every day to live a happier, healthier life.<\/p>\n

Methodology<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We gathered data across 13 parameters for 58 cities around the world (see parameters below). We assigned each one a weighted score to give each city a total out of 100. This score was then used to rank all 58 cities and determine which were the best for healthy living.<\/p>\n

Sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n