A new global study ranking the best cities to raise a family in 2026 has placed Johannesburg first among South African cities, with Cape Town and Durban also making the international top 50.
Global (08 March 2026) – There are an estimated 15,000 cities around the world, each one filled with families raising kids, building communities and trying to create meaningful lives. So when a global study narrows that down to just 50 cities worth highlighting, it becomes something worth talking about… especially when 3 South African cities make the list.
A new study by Compare the Market AU ranked cities around the world to determine the best places to raise a family in 2026, using 9 key data points that include safety, happiness, cost of living, family benefits, green spaces, vaccination rates and education investment.
Cities like Brisbane, London, Auckland, Helsinki and Sydney claimed the top 5 spots, but further down the list, among some of the biggest global metros, were 3 familiar names: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
They ranked 41st, 46th and 49th, respectively.
Now, that might not sound like a headline victory. But when you consider that the world has thousands of cities competing for that recognition, simply landing inside the top 50 is something worth celebrating. And perhaps more importantly, the rankings remind us of something locals already know… raising a family in South Africa comes with a lifestyle that many parts of the world can only dream about.
Johannesburg Leads the Local Rankings
Johannesburg ranked highest among South African cities, at number 41, with an overall index score of 3.307.
The city’s score reflects a combination of lifestyle indicators that matter to families. There are 126 activities for children, access to green spaces, and strong national investment in education, with South Africa allocating around 6% of GDP to education, one of the highest proportions in the global comparison.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Growing up in Johannesburg means things like visiting Gold Reef City, exploring museums and science centres, or spending weekends discovering markets, parks and local adventures.
And then there’s the bigger playground that exists just beyond the city limits… within a few hours’ drive, families can stand on the edge of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on Earth, or travel along the Panorama Route, a scenic stretch of Mpumalanga famous for waterfalls, forests and incredible viewpoints, or visit Kruger National Park! Those are childhood memories that stay with you forever.
Cape Town Brings the Natural Wonder
Cape Town ranked 46th globally, with an index score of 3.180, and anyone who has spent time there knows exactly why it would appear on a list like this.
The city scored highly for lifestyle factors, including 275 things to do with kids, and offers something few places on Earth can compete with… daily access to nature that feels almost cinematic.
Families can hike up Lion’s Head or spend weekends exploring beaches and tidal pools along the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain alone attracts visitors from around the world who hike or ride the cableway to its flat summit overlooking the city. Kids growing up there might spend one weekend visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach, one of the only places where African penguins can be seen up close in the wild, and the next exploring colourful neighbourhoods like Bo-Kaap or wandering the V&A Waterfront. And of course, wine farms, mountain trails and ocean sunsets are simply part of everyday life.
Durban’s Coastal Childhood
Durban rounded out the South African trio in 49th place, with an index score of 2.752, supported by a lower cost of living and a lifestyle centred around the ocean.
For many families, Durban childhoods look like surf lessons, beach walks and long summer evenings along the Golden Mile. And when the adventure bug really bites, families can head inland to the Drakensberg, where mountains like Giant’s Castle and the surrounding nature reserves offer hiking, wildlife and ancient rock art experiences that feel worlds away from city life.
Interestingly, many of the experiences that make South Africa such a wonderful place to grow up appear on our “100 Things to Do in South Africa” list.
Things like visiting the Wilds, spotting Whales in Hermanus, or walking across the Bloukrans Bridge are not just bucket-list adventures for travellers… they are experiences that families here can actually access. And that’s something incredibly powerful. While global rankings measure statistics like safety scores and cost of living, they cannot capture community spirit, family braais, or road trips that turn into lifelong memories.
3 South African cities appearing in a global top-50 list is not about claiming perfection. We all know the challenges our cities face but it does highlight something many of us forget when the headlines get heavy: South Africa remains a country filled with extraordinary places, incredible people and experiences that are rich with culture, nature and adventure.
And that feels like a pretty good reminder that there is still so much good worth celebrating about raising a family in South Africa.
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