The Burrow
Nov 11, 2025
For many people, the buzz of a big city is exciting, but for introverts, calm surroundings and supportive environments often take priority. That’s why more introverts are seeking destinations that nurture quiet living, encourage personal space, and provide the right balance of culture and comfort without overwhelming noise or stress.
This growing trend highlights the importance of peaceful cities that prioritise safety, mental wellbeing and clean, healthy surroundings. As home loan comparison experts, we at Compare the Market were interested to see which cities are the best for introverts. From access to parks and libraries to reliable infrastructure and excellent air quality, we identified cities that have transformed urban life into something restorative rather than draining.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere wholesome to visit, let’s explore the best cities for introverts. And, if you’re looking for our February 2025 data, click here.
Whether you’re considering relocating or simply looking for a travel destination that offers tranquillity and reflection, here are some of the best destinations.
Ranked number one overall, Helsinki sets the benchmark for quiet living. With a safety score of 74.50 and a happiness index of 7.7, the Finnish capital offers both security and clean surroundings.
Population density is modest at 3,193 people per square kilometre, meaning the city never feels overcrowded when you compare it to cities such as London (7,490), New York City (10,895) and Paris (20,016). Green spaces are abundant, with 9.9 parks per 100,000 residents, and the quality of those spaces scores a strong 86.32. Libraries are also highly accessible, with nearly 0.88 per 100,000 residents.
Combined with Finland’s progressive approach to mental health support, these features make Helsinki an ideal city for introverts to enjoy culture and community at their own pace.
In second place, Canberra stands out for its very low population density of just 988 people per square kilometre, one of the lowest in the dataset. Safety is a priority here, reflected in a score of 73.46, while happiness is high at 6.9.
The city also performs well in terms of parks, offering 10 per 100,000 people, alongside high-quality ratings of 79.88.
With 36.3% of the population usually working from home, there’s a cultural shift towards flexible lifestyles that introverts often find appealing. These factors, coupled with shorter average travel times of 15m 50s per 10km, make Canberra one of the world’s calmest capitals.
Copenhagen ranks third, excelling in happiness (7.5 on the global index) and safety (74.19). The city’s air quality index of 7.1 is among the cleanest in the world, while its population density sits at 4,770 people per square kilometre, higher than Canberra and Helsinki, but still manageable thanks to the city’s spacious design and bike-friendly infrastructure.
There aren’t as many parks per 100,000 residents (2.6), but the quality of green spaces scores an impressive 80.67. For introverts, Copenhagen offers an engaging lifestyle with ample opportunities to recharge.
Fourth on the list, Perth benefits from its very low density of 607 people per square kilometre, allowing for ample room to breathe. Speaking of which, the city boasts clean air with an air quality index of 4.2. Parks are widely available, with 5.3 per 100,000 residents, and their quality is rated 79.15, offering introverts plenty of restorative outdoor spaces.
With 36.3% of the population usually working from home, Perth also embraces flexible, less pressured lifestyles. Affordable housing, compared with other Australian hubs, adds to its appeal for introverts seeking a balance between quiet living and access to amenities.
Rounding out the top five, Oslo excels in green space quality, scoring 85.9, which is one of the highest in the dataset. The city is moderately dense at 1,699 people per square kilometre, but it’s still spacious compared to many capitals.
Safety is strong at 65.76, and air quality is equally commendable with an index of 6.9. Parks are highly accessible, with 5.1 per 100,000 residents, and libraries (0.69 per 100,000) are complemented by this wealth of outdoor spaces. Oslo is a supportive environment for introverts seeking both calm spaces and cultural enrichment.
The data reveals some clear regional contrasts. Scandinavian cities, such as Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Oslo, lead in safety, happiness and the quality of parks and green spaces, supported by strong national mental health frameworks.
Meanwhile, Australian cities like Canberra and Perth excel in low population density and lifestyle balance, offering space, fresh air and flexible work trends that foster tranquillity.
Together, these findings demonstrate that introverts can find cities in Europe or Australia that strike a balance between solitude and supportive infrastructure.
Not all global cities are well suited to the needs of introverts. High population densities, poor air quality, long commute times and lower safety ratings can combine to create environments that feel overwhelming rather than restorative.
The following cities rank among the lowest in the dataset, illustrating how crowding, noise, and stress can overshadow cultural or economic opportunities.
Athens is rich in history and culture, but for introverts, the reality of daily life is less accommodating. With a population density of 7,430 people per square kilometre and an average travel time of nearly 30 minutes per 10km, the city can feel congested and stressful.
Air quality also struggles, with a PM2.5 index of 11, which is significantly higher than that of many northern European cities.
These factors, combined with a safety score of just 44.72, make Athens the least suitable city in our rankings for those seeking peace and solitude.
Thessaloniki also ranks low, with a population density of 7,185 per square kilometre and one of the lowest green space quality scores in the dataset at just 34.60. Commute times average 22m 54s per 10km, while the air quality index is poor at 14.1.
Safety is another concern, scoring only 47.77, which, alongside crowded streets and limited access to quiet public spaces, makes the city a challenging choice for people seeking an introverted lifestyle.
In Belgrade, there are 3,261 residents per square kilometre, and only 3.6% of the population works from home. This means that many people are constantly on the move, which could prove overwhelming for introverts.
Add to this a poor air quality index of 17.9, as well as only 0.8 parks and 0.17 libraries per 100,000 people, and Belgrade perhaps isn’t the best place to visit if you value tranquillity.
Other cities that have low scores for introverts include Barcelona in Spain (number 47 in our rankings), Naples in Italy (#46), New York City in the USA (#45), Milan in Italy (#44), Bucharest in Romania (#43), London in the UK (#42), Paris in France (#41), and Zagreb in Croatia (#40).
These low-ranking destinations highlight the pressures of global mega-cities, where population density, pollution and safety challenges may outweigh cultural benefits. For introverts, these places may be stimulating for short visits but less conducive to long-term quiet living.
Experts suggest that introverts thrive when they have access to resources that support calm routines and personal growth.
In the best cities for introverts, public libraries provide quiet study spaces, parks offer restorative time amid nature, and low-density neighbourhoods create opportunities for reflection without isolation.
Making the most of these resources allows introverts to strike a healthy balance, enjoying social activities on their own terms while still having reliable places to recharge.
Being able to own your own home and make it a calming, quiet space can also be a great sense of comfort.
Compare the Market’s General Manager of Money, Stephen Zeller, notes that anyone wishing to get a home loan may feel pressure and stress, but comparing your options and reaching out to an expert can help alleviate the stress.
“Finding a mortgage broker can help you in numerous ways when you want to buy your own home,” Mr Zeller said.
“They can help you compare available options, helping to save money on interest rates or other fees.
“Plus, they can guide you through the process from applying to settlement. Comparing your options and getting expert help can bring great peace of mind in what could be a stressful time.”
This dataset contains two rankings: one ranks 50 cities worldwide and the other ranks 35 US cities, based on how good they are for introverts, using 12 key factors. Each factor’s data was collected and normalised to a score between 0 and 1. If data was missing, a score of 0 was given. These scores were then combined to give each city a total score out of 100, and cities were ranked from highest to lowest based on their total score.
The factors used are as follows:
The factors were indexed as follows:
All data is correct as of 17/10/25. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regard to the sources provided.