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
-
Milken Institute and California State Treasurer Highlight Ways Green Bonds Can Help Close Multi-Trillion Dollar Financing Gap to Repair U.S. Infrastructure
LOS ANGELES, August 7, 2018 – The challenge of fixing America’s deteriorating infrastructure and making it more resilient to the effects of extreme weather and climate change underscores the need for a more robust green bond market...Read Article -
Milken Institute Summer Series convenes world leaders to examine life and business post-COVID-19: June 22-June 26
Hear from Kristalina Georgieva, Dr Anthony Fauci, Mark Cuban, Robert Smith, Barbara Humpton, Lara Warner. Washington, D.C. – June 21, 2020 – The Milken Institute Summer Series brings together leaders in finance, health, philanthropy, and...Read Article -
New-to-Export 101 - Strengthening the Capacity of U.S. Regional Economies to Export Abroad
In 2016, the Milken Institute launched New-to-Export 101, a program designed to increase the number of local manufacturers exporting their products abroad by simplifying the export experience and improving the delivery of export-enabling...Read Report11 11Carolyn Schulman and Michael Jarand -
Clearing a Path for Global Development Finance: Enabling Basel and Development Guarantees to Deliver on Sustainable Development Goals
On August 2, 2017, the Milken Institute Center for Financial Markets (CFM) convened a roundtable to discuss how addressing global financial regulatory issues may foster greater G20 bank investments aligned to the U.N. Sustainable...Read Report11 11Aron Betru and Christopher Lee -
Exploring the Role of Microbusinesses in Economic Growth and Recovery for US Cities
The Milken Institute’s 2021 Best-Performing Cities (BPC) index compares the recent performance of metro areas with a focus on job growth, wage growth, and high-tech GDP growth. Additional measures of broadband access and housing...Read Report -
The North America Semiconductor Conference: Summary of Conclusions and Recommended Actions
This publication documents the conclusions and recommended actions from the first North America Semiconductor Conference (NASC) in Washington, DC, on May 18–19, 2023. The conference—a key commitment from the January 2023 North American...Read Report -
Hangzhou Rises Seven Places to Rank First in the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities China 2023-2024 Index
Beijing, CHINA September 3 2024—Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province and an emerging e-commerce hub, is ranked as China’s best-performing city in 2023-2024, according to the recently released Milken Institute’s Best-Performing...Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province and an emerging e-commerce hub, is ranked as China’s best-performing city in 2023-2024, according to the recently released Milken Institute’s Best...
ImageYeen Chong
Associate Director, Milken Institute InternationalYeen Chee Chong is an associate director for Milken Institute International. Based in Singapore, he oversees and manages strategic communications with a wide range of global and regional media publications and partners. Chong works closely with colleagues in both Asia and the United States on planning and implementing global public relations and social media campaigns. -
Chengdu Tops List of Best Performing Cities in China
Milken Institute analysis demonstrates impact of policymaking on jobs, wages, gross regional product and other measures in China’s cities BEIJING, September 11, 2017 – Chengdu, the booming capital of Sichuan province in Western China, is...Read Article -
Health Disparities in China: Mapping the Way Forward
The formal adoption of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ blueprint on October 25, 2016, marked a turning point in the evolution of China’s public health policy reforms. The significance of this national strategic plan, with 12 well-defined targets...Read Report11Ken Sagynbekov and Perry Wong -
A Hollywood Exit: What California Must Do to Remain Competitive in Entertainment - and Keep Jobs
California's stronghold on the entertainment industry is loosening as production jobs are lured to other locations due to production credits and other tax breaks. Between 2004 and 2012, the state lost more than 16,000 jobs in filmed...Read ReportImageKevin Klowden
Executive Director, Milken Institute FinanceKevin Klowden is the executive director of Milken Institute Finance. He specializes in the study of key factors that underlie the development of competitive regional economies (clusters of innovation, patterns of trade and investment, and concentration of skilled labor) and how these are influenced by public policy and, in turn, affect regional economies both globally and nationally. -
Gender Equality Discussion within the G20
The Milken Institute is a knowledge partner of the Women 20 (W20) Saudi Arabia, which commissioned this report in December 2019. The report, by authors Claude Lopez and Oscar Contreras, draws on the Milken Institute and W20 Saudi Arabia’s...Read Report11 11Claude Lopez and Oscar Contreras -
Sharing the Cost: Accelerating Water Resilience through Infrastructure Finance in California
Beyond the intensifying drought and widening infrastructure inefficiencies, there are billions of dollars worth of unmet operation and maintenance costs and system improvements currently to be found in the State Water Project and Central...Read Report11 11Matt Horton and Alissa Dubetz