People
The immigration rate and diversity of a city, including the sub-categories of Foreign Born and Educational Attainment.
Ranking categories
What makes a city great
Every guide highlights the categories a city is strongest in. Here's what each one means.
Location
The perceived quality of a city’s natural and built environment, including the sub-categories of Weather, Safety, Neighborhoods & Landmarks, and Outdoors.
Strong here:Dubai
Promotion
A city's online presence and how widely its story is shared, including the sub-categories of Google Searches, Tripadvisor Reviews, Instagram Hashtags and Facebook Check-ins.
Prosperity
A city’s employment and corporate head offices, including the sub-categories of Fortune 500 Companies and Household Income as well as Employment Rate and Income Equality for the 2021 America’s Best Cities rankings.
Programming
The arts, culture, entertainment and culinary scene in a city, including the sub-categories of Shopping, Culture, Restaurants, and Nightlife.
Product
A city’s key institutions, attractions and infrastructure, including the sub-categories of Airport Connectivity, Attractions, Museums, University Ranking, Convention Center, and Pro Sports teams.
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