World's Top 10 Luxury Cities Of 2025: Best Places to Live, Dine and Shop Lavishly

Luxury doesn't just mean wealth. It means where you spend it, how you experience it, and the lifestyle it affords you. Today, nearly 55 million people worldwide have more than $1 million in assets, and they're actively seeking cities that match their appetite for the finest dining, the most exclusive boutiques, and the most refined living experiences. According to the latest global luxury index by JB.com, these ten cities represent the pinnacle of lavish living in 2025. From Michelin-starred restaurants to private members' clubs, from couture fashion houses to waterfront penthouses, these destinations offer more than just wealth. They offer curated elegance, global influence, and a lifestyle most can only imagine. Let's explore the cities where the ultra-rich genuinely call home.

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Here Are The Top 10 Luxury Cities In The World For 2025:

1. Paris: 

Paris tops the global luxury index for 2025, and its position feels inevitable. With nearly 900 fine-dining restaurants, approximately 150 five-star hotels, and the flagship stores of haute couture brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton lining its boulevards, the city remains the definitive luxury destination.

Every arrondissement seems to contain a Michelin-starred restaurant. The city's historic elegance blends seamlessly with contemporary luxury, creating an atmosphere where refinement feels effortless. From private museum tours at the Louvre to exclusive fashion shows during Paris Fashion Week, the city offers experiences that money can access but heritage defines.

Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH (the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate), epitomises Paris's wealth. His empire spans Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moët & Chandon, and more. With a fortune estimated in the hundreds of billions, Arnault's influence shapes not just Paris, but global luxury itself.

2. Melbourne: 

Melbourne ranks second on the global luxury index, a surprising position for a Southern Hemisphere city often overshadowed by Sydney. Yet Melbourne's refined yet relaxed charm makes it genuinely distinctive.

The city features 279 high-end restaurants, 125 luxury hotels, and 143 premium boutiques. Approximately 94,000 millionaires call Melbourne home, creating a substantial wealthy community that supports world-class entertainment, 13 casinos, and an arts scene that rivals any European capital.

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person according to Forbes, represents the scale of wealth that underpins Australia's elite class. Her mining fortune reflects the resource wealth that has built modern Australian prosperity.

3. Zurich: 

Zurich offers something rare in today's world: discreet, powerful wealth. The city boasts an astonishing 17,700 millionaires per 100,000 residents, the highest concentration of wealthy individuals globally.

Swiss stability, alpine views, luxury boutiques, and world-class private banking create an environment where the ultra-rich can enjoy their wealth without ostentation. Zurich's charm lies in its subtlety. There are no flashy displays, no overt luxury. Just quiet, profound affluence woven into every cobblestone street.

Klaus-Michael Kühne, the logistics magnate behind Kühne + Nagel, is often cited as Switzerland's richest person. Though he resides in Canton Schwyz, his influence permeates Zurich's financial ecosystem.

4. Miami: 

Miami's luxury appeal is unmistakable. With beach clubs, waterfront mansions, and more than 120 fine-dining restaurants, it's become a paradise for those who want luxury with a tropical edge.

The city has experienced a 94% surge in millionaire population over the past decade, driven by wealthy migrants from high-tax states and international buyers seeking Miami's tax advantages and lifestyle. Ocean-front condos and waterfront estates in Miami Beach and Coral Gables frequently list for $10 to $50 million.

Peter Thiel, the tech veteran and investor, represents Miami's billionaire circle. His presence underscores the city's appeal for crypto-friendly, libertarian-minded capital seeking sun, lifestyle, and favourable tax structures.

5. New York City:

New York City remains the ultimate financial powerhouse, home to 384,000 millionaires, 818 centi-millionaires (individuals worth $100 million or more), and 66 billionaires.

Despite rising living costs and ongoing challenges, NYC's charm hasn't faded for the ultra-wealthy. Wall Street, luxury real estate, Broadway, world-class museums, and unmatched cultural influence keep it firmly at the centre of global wealth.

The city offers more than 400 fine-dining restaurants, exclusive private clubs, and penthouses that command eight-figure price tags. Premium real estate averages around $27,500 per square metre. From the Met Gala to private rooftop dinners overlooking Central Park, New York delivers experiences that define global luxury.

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6. Los Angeles:

Los Angeles represents a unique blend of Hollywood glamour and discreet wealth. The city is home to 212,100 millionaires, 516 centi-millionaires, and 43 billionaires.

High-end estates, private clubs, and boutique-level luxury define its affluent lifestyle. Unlike the showy displays of some cities, LA's elite prefer privacy, exclusivity, and curated experiences. From Malibu beach houses to Beverly Hills mansions, the city caters to those who want luxury without the crowds.

The entertainment industry remains a major wealth driver, but tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists increasingly shape LA's affluent landscape.

7. Milan: 

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Milan ranks seventh on the global luxury list, and its essence is undeniably style. The city features 193 gourmet restaurants, 76 luxury stores, and timeless design at every corner.

From couture to cuisine, Milan offers a lifestyle that defines Italian charm. The fashion capital hosts flagship stores of Prada, Gucci, Versace, and Armani, whilst Michelin-starred restaurants serve innovative interpretations of Italian classics.
Though Bernard Arnault is headquartered in Paris, his LVMH empire deeply influences Milan's luxury scene through brands that define the city's aesthetic identity.

8. Singapore: 

Singapore ranks eighth with 242,000 millionaires, 450 fine-dining restaurants, and six casinos. Once known primarily as Asia's financial centre, it has evolved into a major luxury destination.

The city-state offers political stability, exceptional healthcare infrastructure, low crime rates, and pro-business policies that make it irresistible for global high-net-worth individuals. With no capital gains tax and a super-clean, well-run environment, Singapore has become the preferred Asian base for the ultra-wealthy.

According to the Julius Baer Lifestyle Index, Singapore ranks as the most expensive city for luxury spending, topping charts for the third consecutive year.
Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook, is Singapore's richest resident. His journey from Silicon Valley to Singapore reflects the city's appeal for tech wealth and global entrepreneurs.

9. Seoul: 

Seoul has rapidly entered the ranks of luxury cities, with over 350 high-end dining spots and a booming high-fashion scene. The city appeals to modern entrepreneurs, cultural icons, and tech titans who want a blend of tradition and cutting-edge luxury.

Seoul's ultra-wealthy are often linked to Korea's vibrant tech sector (global gaming companies, large conglomerates) and the rising international influence of K-pop and entertainment.
The city's transformation reflects broader shifts in global wealth, where Asian cities increasingly rival Western capitals in luxury offerings and millionaire populations.

10. London: 

London closes the top ten with its timeless elegance. The city offers more than 400 fine-dining restaurants, prestigious neighbourhoods like Mayfair and Knightsbridge, and a legacy of global influence that continues to attract major capital.
With approximately 2,200 millionaires per 100,000 residents, London maintains its position as a cultural and financial powerhouse despite some wealthy individuals relocating for tax reasons.

Premium real estate averages around $24,000 per square metre, whilst Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive private clubs define the city's luxury landscape. From Savile Row tailoring to private viewings at the British Museum, London delivers heritage-infused luxury that few cities can match.

What Defines a Luxury City in 2025?

Several factors elevate these cities above others:

• Lifestyle Meets Capital: These cities aren't just about money. They offer curated experiences, from fine dining to high fashion, that wealthy individuals actively seek.
• Global Mobility: Many ultra-rich individuals move between these cities, seeking lifestyle, tax efficiency, and access to international networks.
• Diverse Sources of Wealth: The ultra-rich in these cities come from different industries, from fashion and media to crypto and logistics, reflecting how modern wealth is built.
• Infrastructure and Stability: Political stability, healthcare infrastructure, safety, and pro-business environments make these cities attractive long-term.

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These ten cities represent more than wealth. They're ecosystems of capital, culture, and choice, places where the ultra-rich can enjoy refined living whilst accessing global networks and opportunities. From Paris's timeless glamour to Singapore's modern efficiency, from New York's financial dynamism to Zurich's discreet affluence, each city offers something unique. For those fortunate enough to choose where they live, dine, and shop, these destinations represent the pinnacle of global luxury. They're not just the richest places to live. They're the hearts of a lifestyle most can only imagine.