DOWNLOAD REPORT
With inflation easing and the US economy experiencing continued growth, the turbulence triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is now largely behind us. In this post-pandemic landscape, metropolitan areas remain the hubs of economic activity. In 2023, US metros collectively grew by 2.6 percent in real GDP, contributing to 91.1 percent of the nation’s overall economic growth. Recognizing their critical role, the Best-Performing Cities (BPC) index evaluates the relative economic performance of 403 metropolitan areas, providing valuable insights into the strengths and vulnerabilities of these economic powerhouses.
The BPC index utilizes 13 key metrics, combining labor market conditions, high-tech industry growth, and access to economic opportunities. This comprehensive approach captures emerging trends and significant shifts in the US economy, offering a detailed benchmark for metro performance.
Our report and interactive online tool break down the components of the BPC index, delivering actionable insights into the factors driving short- and medium-term economic performance in US metropolitan areas. Policymakers, government officials, and business leaders can leverage this analysis to craft targeted strategies for fostering sustainable growth in the metros that drive America’s economy.

Maggie Switek, PhD

Brock Smith

Abigail Humphreys
Related Content
-
The Milken Institute Launches Inaugural Best-Performing Cities China Report
BEIJING – Which cities in China have the most dynamic economies and why? The Milken Institute’s inaugural Best-Performing Cities China Report, unveiled today at a press briefing in the Sofitel Wanda Beijing Hotel, identifies the urban areas...Read Article -
From Recovery to Resilience: How Opportunity Zones Can Help Accelerate Post-COVID Economic Resurgence
The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented challenge to all economies. However, pandemics hit underserved and vulnerable populations the hardest, and now the crisis will exacerbate their need for capital. Opportunity Zones—which...Read Report11
Dan Carol and Ragini Chawla -
Capital Markets in Developing Countries: The State of Play
Economists have repeatedly demonstrated a relationship between financial sector sophistication and economic growth. While developing countries have often emphasized establishing a sound banking sector, as economies grow and become more...Read ReportImageJohn Schellhase
Director, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic PhilanthropyJohn Schellhase is a director on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, where his work focuses on social impact philanthropy. As part of his work, Schellhase contributes to and manages projects related to strengthening corporate philanthropy and operating innovation competitions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. -
Best-Performing Cities 2017: Where America’s Jobs are Created and Sustained
The Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities U.S. index provides a way to measure which American metros offer the greatest opportunities for prosperity and innovation across the nation. The index measures metropolitan areas economic...View Research -
Best Practices of Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Case for The Philippines
Many nations create sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) to invest surplus assets in a diversified portfolio approach to achieve national policy goals, hedge against economic risk, and benefit successive generations. These funds have grown in...Read ReportImageCaitlin MacLean
Managing Director, Innovative Finance, Milken Institute FinanceCaitlin MacLean is a managing director on the innovative finance team at the Milken Institute. She oversees the research, development, execution, and follow-up of our Financial Innovations Labs, which promote financial solutions to overcome economic and social challenges. -
Indonesia: The World's Best-Kept Investment Secret?
• Indonesia punches far above its income in opportunities for international investment. But the country aims far higher than it needs to achieve high-income status by 2045. • Demographics: Indonesia’s working-age population is forecast to...Read ReportImageQuintus Lim
Associate Director, Asia, Milken Institute InternationalQuintus Lim is an associate director of policy and programs for the International pillar at the Milken Institute. He focuses on policy areas such as R&D financing, technological adoption across domains such as health, food, agriculture, finance, and the broader economy, and issues of ecosystem building. -
Milken Institute's Annual Review of U.S. Best-Performing Cities: a Tale of Tech--and Energy Austin Reclaims the Top Spot
LOS ANGELES— The Milken Institute's annual "Best-Performing Cities" index shows that technology and energy are the biggest forces behind America’s booming cities. Austin, Texas, reclaimed the No.1 spot based on a booming technology sector...Read Article -
IFC, Milken Institute, and Georgetown University Partner to Strengthen Capital Markets
Washington D.C., USA, December 19, 2023—To help strengthen local capital markets, IFC and the Milken Institute have joined forces with Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business to provide advanced knowledge and skills training to...Read ArticleImagePaul Guequierre
Director, Strategic CommunicationsPaul Guequierre is the director of strategic communications. In this role, he works to increase the profile of Milken Institute in the media, raise the visibility of issues important to the organization and its stakeholders, and expand the Institute's digital presence. -
Dodd-Frank: Washington, We Have a Problem
The Dodd-Frank Act is the most far-reaching financial regulatory reform in the U.S. since the nation emerged from the Great Depression in the 1930s. The act aims to limit systemic risk, allow for the safe resolution of the largest...Read Report -
Shared-Use Mining Infrastructure: Why It Matters and How to Achieve It
For many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the effective exploitation of natural resource wealth is vital to their future economic development. With bulk mineral deposits located in remote and poorly-explored regions, the infrastructure...Read Report11 11Paul Collier and Glen Ireland -
Best-Performing Cities 2022
Cities continue to drive economic growth across the nation. They are the primary locations where businesses create new jobs and workers earn higher wages, keeping the United States competitive in the global economy. However, metro areas are...View Research -
Distance as an Obstacle to Clinical Trial Access: Who Is Affected and Why It Matters
Access to clinical trials is valuable for patients as it provides the possibility to obtain novel treatments that are not yet commercially available. There are many barriers to access for patients wishing to join clinical trials, including...View Research11