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The Southern Weekly Urban Research Center has released the 57 Cities Comfort Index 2025, with Shaoxing retaining the top spot with a score of 82.29. Jiaxing, Wenzhou, Foshan, and Wuxi ranked second to fifth, respectively. First-tier cities were ranked outside the top 30, with Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen ranking 56th, 53rd, and 50th, respectively.

Research shows that cities with permanent populations between five million and 15 million are considered ideal for urban livability, as this range often supports efficient governance and a balanced pace of life. By the end of 2024, Shaoxing's permanent population reached 5.43 million, falling within this range.

In terms of housing and income, the average price of second-hand homes in Shaoxing in 2024 was approximately 19,100 yuan ($2,600) per square meter, and the per capita disposable income in the city reached 72,898 yuan, with a price-to-income ratio falling within the sustainable range of 10 to 15. By comparison, housing prices in Shanghai are about 3.6 times those in Shaoxing, while the income gap between the two cities is only 1.21 times.

Shaoxing boasts a robust manufacturing base, offering stable employment and income. With its proximity to the Hangzhou-Shanghai metropolitan cluster, the city benefits from abundant development resources while maintaining low living pressures, creating a unique urban model characterized by high income and low stress.