Turns out the Windy City is bringing the sunny vibes. Chicago just landed at No. 8 on Timeout’s new ranking of the world’s happiest cities in 2025, based on responses from more than 18,000 locals around the globe. The survey weighs what actually makes city life feel good day to day—think culture, nightlife, food, walkability, affordability and overall quality of life—then zeros in on happiness with statements about whether people feel joyful in their city, see that joy in others and find it growing.
This year’s global podium goes to Abu Dhabi, followed by Medellín and Cape Town. Chicago’s top-10 finish places it ahead of Seville, Melbourne and Brighton and just behind Shanghai, Mumbai and Beijing—all serious international company for a Midwestern heavyweight that too often gets reduced to snow jokes and sports takes.
So why are Chicagoans cheerful? Start with the everyday pleasures: a lakefront that’s actually public (26 miles of it), beach days that melt into outdoor concerts, neighborhood parks with pick-up hoops and farmers’ markets and a riverwalk that finally lives up to its postcard. Add a food scene with range, from Italian beef counters and tavern-cut pies to destination tasting menus. Layer in culture that never coasts—storefront theaters experimenting nightly, big-ticket museums refreshing their hits, music everywhere from dive bars to Millennium Park. None of it requires a car; this is a city built for walkers who like to discover things around the corner.
The 20 happiest cities in the world in 2025
1. Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Medellín, Colombia
3. Cape Town, South Africa
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Mumbai, India
6. Beijing, China
7. Shanghai, China
8. Chicago, US
9. Seville, Spain
10. Melbourne, Australia
11. Brighton, UK
12. Porto, Portugal
13. Sydney, Australia
14. Chiang Mai, Thailand
15. Marrakech, Morocco
16. Dubai, UAE
17. Hanoi, Vietnam
18. Jakarta, Indonesia
19. Valencia, Spain
20. Glasgow, UK
