For European cities should be a footnote "under condition you inherited an apartment or parents put you on social housing waiting list when you were 4". Doesn't really matter how "livable" is Zurich or London if you live like a homeless dog with all possessions in one suitcase.
Vienna doesn't require that, for the most part. Of course, certain districts are pretty much off limits without being "rich" but there are plenty that are pretty cheap.
BS. Buying an apartment in New York or Tokyo is not exactly easy.