The ranking indicates differences in quality of living factors affecting expatriates in popular assignment destinations.

In first place is Vienna, followed by Zurich. Vancouver, Munich and Auckland share the third spot. The rest of the top are European cities, such as Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Geneva and Basel.

Evaluation is done by using factors such as climate, disease and sanitation standards, ease of communications, and physical remoteness can often affect the success of a foreign assignment. The local political and social environment, political violence, and crime may give rise to potentially uncomfortable, inconvenient, or even dangerous situations are also factors that are considered.