Melbourne, Australia is a dynamic cultural and economic hub, celebrated for its vibrant arts scene, world-class food and coffee culture, and consistently high quality of life. As Australia’s second-largest city, it serves as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region and draws a diverse, globally minded population. With its strong education sector, thriving creative industries, and reputation for innovation, Melbourne continues to attract talent, investment, and visitors from around the world.
But what do international rankings and indices have to say about Melbourne in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Melbourne’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Melbourne’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 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 16 | 22 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 33 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 25 | 25 |
| Global Financial Center Index | – | 21 | 23 | 32 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 11 | – | 33 | – | 23 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 16 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 17 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 17 | – | – | – | 20 | 20 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 79 | 99 | 59 | 67 | 71 | 73 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 87 | 64 | 85 | 55 | 74 | 84 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 38 | 37 | 39 | 19 | 53 | 28 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 20 | 37 | – | 38 | – | 19 | 16 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 60 | – | 32 | – |
City Brand Strength
Melbourne is steadily reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most livable and globally connected cities. Ranked 22nd in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, 25th in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, and 17th in Kearney’s 2024 Global Cities Report, Melbourne is recognised for its cultural vibrancy, diverse economy, and strong urban infrastructure.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Melbourne’s economy is driven by innovation, a highly skilled workforce, and strong integration into global markets. Ranked 23rd in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city excels in research, education, and emerging tech sectors, supported by world-class universities and a vibrant startup ecosystem. Its 28th position in the GFCI 37 Rank reflects Melbourne’s growing role as a regional financial hub, with strengths in professional services, fintech, and investment.
Appeal to Talent
Melbourne attracts global talent with its exceptional quality of life, cultural diversity, and balanced cost of living. Ranked 20th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 and 28th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, the city is praised for its healthcare, education, safety, and vibrant public spaces.
Despite being a major city, Melbourne remains relatively affordable—ranking 73rd in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 84th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025—offering a compelling mix of lifestyle and value that continues to draw residents, students, and professionals from around the world.
Urban Sustainability
Melbourne is strengthening its position as a sustainability and smart city leader through a focus on climate resilience, green infrastructure, and digital innovation. Ranked 32nd in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024, the city performs well in environmental management, clean mobility, and urban livability.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, Melbourne ranks 16th overall, reflecting strong performance in areas such as urban planning, governance, and human capital.
Our Key Takeaways
Melbourne continues to rise as one of the Asia-Pacific’s most dynamic global cities, known for its cultural richness, livability, and innovation-driven economy. With strong performance across quality of life, sustainability, and education, the city is well-positioned to expand its influence on the global stage.
- Strengths: High quality of life, thriving creative and tech sectors.
- Weaknesses: High housing costs.
- Opportunities: Deeper engagement with Asia-Pacific markets.
- Threats: Climate risks including bushfires and heatwaves.
Last updated in July 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Melbourne’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.
