Healthcare index

The healthcare index combines system quality (training, infrastructure, outcomes), accessibility (wait times, geographic coverage), and out-of-pocket cost protection into a single 0-100 score. Cities with strong public systems usually score highest, but well-run private systems with affordable insurance can match them.

What the score doesn't tell you: how easy access is for foreigners specifically. Some countries gate public healthcare behind residency status; others require private insurance for the first year. Always cross-check the score against the residency / insurance rules for your specific visa.

Routine vs. catastrophic care also matter differently. A city can have an excellent healthcare index but be expensive for unexpected events if you're outside the public system. Budget separately for routine costs (captured in the cost-of-living index) and catastrophic-event insurance.