Frankfurt, an essential financial hub in Germany, is renowned for its impressive skyline, vibrant culture, and strategic importance in the European economy. Home to the European Central Bank and numerous international organisations, Frankfurt plays a key role in global finance. The city’s high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and dynamic business environment make it an attractive destination for professionals and tourists alike.
But how does Frankfurt perform in terms of sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Frankfurt’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Frankfurt’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a reading of how a place is perceived, organisations responsible for its brand, investment or talent attraction can request a free Positioning Check.
| Ranking | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 36 | 27 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 47 | 43 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 48 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 16 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 11 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 63 | – | – | – | 68 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 28 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 32 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 7 | – | – | – | 6 | 7 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 74 | 76 | 54 | 62 | 48 | 35 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 124 | 145 | 150 | 116 | 135 | 71 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 49 | 44 | 54 | 57 | 15 | 29 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 33 | 32 | – | 41 | – | 35 | 29 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 16 | – | 4 | – |
City Brand Strength
Frankfurt ranks 27th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, marking it as one of Germany’s strongest international city brands. Known for its banking prowess, international trade fairs, and cosmopolitan identity, the city’s reputation is shaped by both institutional credibility and modern infrastructure.
In Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, Frankfurt ranks 48th, praised for its infrastructure, safety, and ease of doing business.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Frankfurt ranks 11th globally in the GFCI 37 Rank, reflecting its enduring strength in global finance and banking.
In terms of innovation, it ranks 68th in the last 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index, signifying a robust digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhanced by its proximity to research institutions and its openness to emerging technologies.
Appeal to Talent
Frankfurt is consistently rated among Europe’s most liveable cities. According to Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, it has regularly featured in the global top 10, pointing to strong healthcare, infrastructure, and safety. It ranks 35th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024, and jumped to 71st place in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, highlighting its rising cost of living.
It ranks 29th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, showing strength in categories such as mobility, governance, and urban planning. High international school standards and a diverse job market also make it attractive to global talent.
Urban Sustainability
In the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, it ranks 4th, reflecting its ongoing efforts in green mobility, waste management, and urban resilience—though there remains room to improve in climate innovation and emissions reduction.
Key Takeaways
Frankfurt is a globally competitive financial city with a strong reputation, growing innovation base, and high quality of life. Its urban infrastructure and governance model are among the best in Europe, positioning the city well for sustainable growth and digital transformation.
- Strengths: Global financial status, liveability, innovation-readiness
- Weaknesses: High cost of living, limited tourism appeal compared to Berlin or Munich
- Opportunities: Enhance sustainability, branding and increase cultural visibility
- Threats: Competitive pressure from other EU cities (e.g., Paris, Amsterdam)
Last updated in May 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
Want to see how your place is read? Organisations responsible for a place’s brand, investment or talent attraction can request a free Positioning Check on one topic of their choice. Learn more →
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Frankfurt’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.