Vienna crowned as world's most livable city

VIENNA - Austria's capital has beaten Melbourne to be ranked the "world's most livable city" in a new annual survey released on Monday, ending the southern Australian city's seven-year reign.

It is the first time a European city has topped the annual chart compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit which identifies the best urban playgrounds to live and work in.

Each year 140 cities are given scores out of 100 on a range of factors such as living standards, crime, transport infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, as well as political and economic stability.