Muzaffarnagar, India

Capital City

With a population of just 23,444, this city in Uttar Pradesh is hardly the bustling metropolis some may envision. The reality is a provincial town reliant on agriculture, with a heavy bureaucratic burden and a checkered history of communal violence. Summers are scorching, with temperatures reaching 45°C, while winters can dip below freezing. And according to a 2024 report, Muzaffarnagar is one of the 20 most polluted cities in India. This is hardly the idyllic escape many dream of when moving abroad - unless you're a farmer or jaggery trader, Muzaffarnagar likely has little to offer.