Austin, the capital of Texas in the USA, is widely recognized for its vibrant tech industry, thriving cultural scene, and strong economic growth. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin has built a reputation as a hub for innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship.
But what do international rankings and indices have to say about Austin in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Austin’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers a snapshot of Austin’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a deeper analysis, our custom reports provide tailored insights for specific contexts, such as cities, regions, or countries.
| Ranking | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance US City Index | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | 40 | 54 | – | 43 | 43 | 53 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | – | 21 | – | 44 | – | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | 142 | 294 | 251 | 90 | 51 | 73 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | 10 | 9 | 7 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | – | – | 52 | – | 45 | – |
Soft Power and City Brand Strength
Austin enjoys strong global recognition, ranking 53 in the Resonance World’s Best Cities 2025, although it has dropped 10 places. This ranking underscores its appeal as a destination for culture, business, and lifestyle, but also suggests increasing competition among global cities.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Austin is a leading city for innovation and economic growth. It ranks 39 in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, with a particularly strong economic ranking of 20. The city’s performance in human capital (59) indicates an environment conducive to growth, though governance (184) and quality of life (231) rank lower.
Austin ranks 44 in the Innovation Cities Index, showing its prominence in technological advancement and research, despite a 23-place drop.
Appeal to Talent
Austin’s higher education landscape is significantly enhanced by the presence of the University of Texas at Austin. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the university is ranked 66 and in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 a very strong 50th, worldwide. These rankings underscore the university’s role in attracting both domestic and international students.
Austin provides an attractive setting for skilled professionals and students. The city ranks 27th in the Numbeo Quality of Life Index, reflecting its high livability and cultural vibrancy. However, the cost of living is relatively high, with a ranking of 77 in the Numbeo Cost of Living Index.
The IESE Cities in Motion Index 2024 highlights Austin’s strengths in economy (17), technology (24), and urban planning (23). The city is also highly rated for human capital (28), but areas such as mobility and transportation (108) and environment (113) seem to present challenges.
Urban Sustainability
Austin demonstrates a commitment to sustainable urban planning and environmental resilience. While it ranks 113 in environment on the IESE Cities in Motion Index, its strengths in governance (51) and especially urban planning (23) provide a foundation for future sustainability improvements.
Our Key Takeaways
Austin continues to thrive as a global hub for technology, innovation, and economic development. While the city excels in areas such as business environment, human capital, and urban planning, challenges remain in cost of living, mobility, and environmental sustainability. Strengthening infrastructure and sustainability efforts will be crucial to maintaining its appeal to talent and investors alike.
- Strengths: Strong cultural reputation, high-ranking university, highly ranked for human capital and urban planning.
- Weaknesses: Rising cost of living, low representation in environmental rankings.
- Opportunities: Continued growth in sustainability and livability initiatives, expanding innovation and tech sectors.
- Threats: Increased global competition for talent, housing affordability concerns.
Last updated in February 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Austin’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, the data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Please verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
