Top 10 Best U.S. Cities for Business

Despite increased competition from around the globe, American cities are still on top in their ability to attract business, capital, talent and tourists, according to a research report commissioned by Citigroup.

Called “Hot Spots,” the research report conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit shows that U.S. cities still dominate the rankings, with the 10 most competitive U.S. cities ranking in the world’s top 30. The report ranks the world’s 120 most competitive cities on criteria that include economic strength, human and physical capital, financial maturity and global appeal.

“Economic dynamism is definitely rising elsewhere, especially in Asian cities, but U.S. and European cities have legacy advantages that give them a strong competitive edge,” said Leo Abruzzese, the EIU’s global forecasting director, in a statement. “In particular, these developed cities are better at attracting top talent from across the world.”

With a combined population of about 750 million, the 120 cities ranked in “Hot Spots” represent approximately 29% of the global economy and generated a combined GDP of $20.24 trillion in 2011.

The United States’ 10 best cities for business are:

10. Philadelphia

This 10th most competitive city in America ranks 30th worldwide. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s “Hot Spots” report commissioned by Citi, Philadelphia ranks as the world’s 44th city in terms of economic strength, but its human capital ranking of 16 and institutional effectiveness lift the City of Brotherly Love’s overall ranking. But Philadelphia has a “global appeal” ranking of only 11.7 out of a possible 100–seems the world has little love for Philly.

9. Seattle

The largest city in the U.S. Northwest, Seattle, is the 29^th most competitive city in the world. Home of Microsoft’s headquarters, Seattle gets an economic strength ranking of 28th globally. It ranks No. 1 among U.S. cities for human capital. As for its global appeal, Seattle is ranked 59th, with a 9.2 score out of a possible 100.

8. Dallas

Sharing a worldwide competitiveness ranking of 25th with Vienna, Dallas has an economic strength score of 23, a physical capital ranking of 44th (a ranking that Dallas shares with Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi) and a social and cultural character ranking of 31st, which puts it alongside another big Texas city, Houston.

7. Houston

Houston is the seventh most competitive city in the United States and the 23rd most competitive in the world, along with Copenhagen. The fourth most populous city in the nation gets an economic strength ranking of 18 and a financial maturity ranking of 33. Neither Houston nor Dallas received a “global appeal” ranking on the EIU “Hot Spots” list.

6. Los Angeles

This California city of the stars is 19th in terms of global competitiveness, according to the report commissioned by Citigroup. However, it ranks a high No. 2 for social and cultural character. Los Angeles’ overall global appeal gets a score of 20.5 out of a possible 100, which gives it a ranking of 30.