The Milken Institute has recognized the Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) as one of the top 15 "Best-Performing Cities" in the United States.
According to a news release, the Midland MSA secured the fifth position on the list, following Gainesville, Georgia; St. George, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Bend-Redmond, Oregon. The ranking is based on factors such as job creation, wage growth, and high-tech sector output growth. It also considers access to economic opportunities, including housing affordability and broadband coverage.
"The BPC index utilizes 13 key metrics, combining labor market conditions, high-tech industry growth, and access to economic opportunities," said the Milken Institute. "This comprehensive approach captures emerging trends and significant shifts in the U.S. economy, offering a detailed benchmark for metro performance."
According to the news release from the Milken Institute, job growth in the Midland MSA increased by 10.1 percent from 2018 to 2023 and by 6.6 percent from 2022 to 2023. This accounted for the largest growth among tier-1 cities. Short-term job growth rose by 1.7 percent while wage growth improved by 37.7 percent from 2018 to 2023 and increased by 16.1 percent from 2022 to 2023. Austin was the only other Texas city ranked as a tier-1 best-performing city, securing sixth place among larger cities.