A new happiness ranking challenges assumptions about urban life in Germany – suggesting that smaller, more affordable cities may offer a better everyday experience.
If you’ve ever wondered whether life in Germany might be nicer somewhere else, the latest city ranking from the SKL Happiness Atlas offers plenty to think about.
The 2026 Glücksatlas, released this week, is the result of an annual study that compares how satisfied residents say they are with their lives in Germany’s 40 largest cities.
This year several cities have risen and fallen sharply, compared to last year's ranking, with Erfurt unexpectedly leapfrogging from sixth place to take the top spot. Meanwhile last year’s winner, Kassel, dropped to 13th.
The ranking is based on interviews with more than 23,000 people conducted over several years, combined with so‑called 'objective' measures such as income levels, employment and infrastructure.
