Denver isn’t just a great place to ski and catch a Broncos game anymore. A recent World’s Best Cities report from global consultancy Resonance ranks Denver among the top 100 cities on the planet, putting the Mile High City in the global spotlight as a place to live, work, and visit. This recognition further cements why living in Denver is the best!
For anyone planning a move, this recognition is one more validation that Denver isn’t a fad market. It’s a steadily growing metro with real economic strength, an outdoor-forward lifestyle, and major investment on the way.
The Benefits of Living in Denver
The World’s Best Cities report evaluates large global metros on three main pillars:
- Livability – quality of life, infrastructure, transit, parks, safety
- Lovability – culture, dining, nightlife, experiences locals and visitors actually enjoy
- Prosperity – jobs, economic output, business environment, and talent base
Denver scores well across those prosperity and culture metrics, which is exactly what relocation-minded households care about: “Can I build a career here?” and “Will my family actually enjoy living here?”
A Growing, Stable Economy That Attracts Talent
Denver’s metro economy has been steadily expanding, with consistently solid job growth and relatively low unemployment compared with many major markets. That performance helps power strong rankings in economic output and labor force participation.
What that means if you’re relocating:
- You’re moving into a strong job market, not a boom-and-bust story.
- Employers are investing here — from tech and geospatial firms to health care, finance, and professional services.
- Diversified industries lower your risk if you expect to change roles or careers over time.
For dual-career households or professionals who want options, Denver’s diversified economy is a real advantage.
Culture, Entertainment, and the Everyday Lifestyle
Denver’s recognition isn’t just about jobs. The city’s culture and entertainment scene play a big role in its global ranking.
Local highlights include:
- The Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver Art Museum, and a growing list of galleries and cultural institutions
- Walkable, vibrant neighborhoods like LoDo and RiNo that blend restaurants, breweries, music venues, and public art
- An impressive park system that puts the majority of residents within a short walk of green space
For newcomers, this means you don’t have to choose between “big city amenities” and “outdoor lifestyle.” You get both — plus 300+ days of sunshine and weekend access to the Rockies.
Big Projects Shaping Denver’s Next Decade
Another reason Denver earns attention in global rankings: the amount of forward-looking development already underway.
- New hotels and hospitality: New properties in and around downtown are bringing more rooms, restaurants, and meeting spaces online, supporting both tourism and business travel.
- The River Mile redevelopment: A long-term mixed-use project along the South Platte River that will add new parks, residential towers, retail, and entertainment over the coming years.
- Denver International Airport (DEN): One of the busiest airports in the world, DEN continues to expand its gates, concourses, and amenities to support growing passenger traffic.
These projects matter if you’re moving here because they signal long-term confidence in Denver’s growth, better connectivity for travel, and new neighborhoods and housing options coming online over the next 5–10 years.
What This Means If You’re Thinking About Moving to Denver
Being named one of the world’s best cities isn’t just a PR win. For future Denverites, it tells you a few important things:
- You’re buying into a proven market. Denver has moved from “up-and-coming” to established global player.
- Quality of life is a core advantage. Strong job numbers, parks, cultural amenities, and easy access to the mountains are built-in lifestyle perks.
- Infrastructure is planning for growth. From airport expansion to riverfront redevelopment, the city is actively preparing for continued population and economic growth.
For relocating households comparing Denver to other major U.S. metros, this global ranking is one more data point: Denver isn’t just a regional favorite — it’s part of the international conversation.
FAQs: Denver’s “World’s Best Cities” Ranking
Is Denver really one of the best cities in the world?
According to the World’s Best Cities report by Resonance, Denver ranks among the top 100 global cities based on livability, lovability, and prosperity.
What makes Denver stand out?
Denver’s strengths include a diversified economy, strong job growth, an active outdoor lifestyle, a growing cultural scene, and major long-term projects like riverfront redevelopment and airport expansion.
Is living in Denver a good idea?
For many households, yes. The combination of job stability, outdoor access, cultural amenities, and long-term growth plans makes Denver compelling for both career-focused professionals and families seeking a higher quality of life.
Next Steps If You’re Planning a Move
If you’re considering living in Denver, explore our in-depth guides on neighborhoods, schools, housing, and cost of living throughout the region. Denver’s recognition as one of the world’s best cities is just the starting point — the real story is how you and your family can build a life here.




