MELBURNIAN egos really didn’t need to be inflated any further.

This year, the city was ranked the world’s most liveable for the sixth consecutive year, and now it’s been ranked second highest on the first Time Out Global City Index survey.

Meanwhile, Sydney trailed in at a measly third-last.

The survey polled 20,000 people from 18 cities around the world, asking 81 questions ranging from how safe they feel in their city to how often they see live music. It’s designed to measure vibrancy, inspiration, food and drink, community, sociability and affordability.

The only city higher than Melbourne was Chicago, due to its strong community feel and good level of affordability.

The only cities lower than Sydney were Dubai and Kuala Lumpur — but given Dubai temperatures can soar above 50 degrees, and Kuala Lumpur is often shrouded in smog, is it really much of an achievement?

There are some clear differences between Australia’s two biggest cities.

While 62 per cent of people agreed there was always something new to do in Melbourne, only 22 per cent said the same about Sydney. 46 per cent of respondents described Melbourne as “fun”, but only 10 per cent agreed that was the case in Sydney.

According to Time Out, Sydneysiders are “drunk, horny and miserable”.

The Harbour City did topped the lists for the frequency of hangovers, which is no mean feat considering the state’s draconian lockout laws.

It also tops the list for one night stands, ranks high for affairs with co-workers, and is number one for group sex — with nine per cent of respondents admitting they’ve had a threesome.

Around the world, New York ranked as the world’s most exciting city, while Mexico City was the cheapest place to go for a good time, with the average night out costing just $34.

Lisbon is the best place for romance, with 38 per cent of people surveyed indicating it’s easy to find love, but Paris is the best place to go for sex.

Barcelona was the best place for a boozy lunch, because 69 per cent of respondents confessed to loving a bit of daytime drinking. Foodies should head to Chicago, which 88 per cent of residents say has a “great restaurant scene”, and if you like posting photos of food on Instagram, you can join the 48 per cent of people doing the same in Tokyo.

Despite all that, Melburnians are the most content. According to the index, 74 per cent of residents agree they love living in their city.

Guess they’ll add an extra shot of smugness to their snobby coffee brews today.

See the full list below:

1. Chicago, US: 60.1 points

2. Melbourne, Australia: 59.3 points — what’s more, 74 per cent of Melburnians said they “loved” living in the Victorian capital, which was by far the most of any city in the poll

3. Lisboa, Portugal: 55.6 points

4. New York City, US: 53.3 points

5. Madrid, Spain: 51.4 points

6. Mexico City, Mexico: 50.8 points

7. Sâo Paulo, Brazil: 50.7 points

8. Los Angeles, US: 48.4 points

9. Barcelona, Spain: 46.6 points

10. London, UK: 45.3 points

11. Hong Kong: 41.6 points

12. Miami, US: 41.4 points

13. Tokyo, Japan: 41.2 points

14. Singapore: 40.2 points

15. Paris, France: 39.8 points

16. Sydney, Australia: 39.6 points — on the upside, Sydney topped the list of cities for office flings, one night stands and hangovers (joint first with London)

17. Dubai, UAE: 37.6 points

18. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 36.8 points