Which factors are determining the divergence in economic performance of metropolitan areas around the nation? Why are some areas thriving while others fall back? The Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities index provides an objective benchmark for examining the underlying factors and identifying unique characteristics of economic growth in metropolitan areas. Our index uses a fact-based set of metrics such as job creation, wage gains, and technology developments to evaluate the relative growth of metropolitan areas. While national and international patterns affect near-term performance, and to some extent are beyond a region’s control, the top-performing metros have cohesive strategies that allow them to distinguish themselves from others. They offer important lessons that may be adaptable for other localities.