MILKEN INSTITUTE: MIDLAND RANKS AS ONE OF NATION'S BEST-PERFORMING CITIES
(Jan. 16, 2025)
MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The Midland metropolitan statistical area was the lone smaller MSA in the state to rank among the 15 “Best-Performing Cities” in the nation, according to the Milken Institute.
The Midland MSA ranked fifth among smaller cities in the nation, trailing Gainesville, Georgia. St. George, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Bend-Redmond, Oregon, rounded out the top four MSAs, according to the report released this week.
The Milken Institute reported, “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.”
The report noted the following about the Midland MSA:
- Job growth from 2018-2023 increased 10.1% and 6.6% from 2022-23 (the highest among tier 1 cities),
- Short-term job growth increased 1.7%,
- Wage growth improved 37.7% from 2018-2023 and spiked 16.1% from 2022-23 (the highest among tier-1 cities),
- GDP growth increased 44.5% from 2018-2023 and rose 43.8% from 2022-2023 (the highest among tier-1 cities).
Midland was one of two cities in Texas to rank as a tier-1 best-performing city. Austin ranked sixth among larger cities.
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2025 Best-Performing Cities
Smaller Cities
- Gainesville, Georgia
- St. George, Utah
- Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Bend-Redmond, Oregon
- Midland
Source: Milken Institute