Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario, is Canada’s most populous city. It is known for one of the biggest freestanding buildings on the planet (the CN tower), supposed to be one of the safest cities in North America and characterized by the diversity of its inhabitants.
But how is Toronto performing in terms of city reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Toronto’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Toronto’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 | – | – | – | – | 12 | 14 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 17 | 13 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 15 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 23 | 29 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 23 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 10 | – | 43 | – | 15 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 16 | – | – | – | 17 | 13 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 115 | 98 | 98 | 89 | 90 | 92 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 43 | 143 | 122 | 94 | 63 | 77 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 119 | 114 | 109 | 114 | 99 | 124 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 18 | 30 | – | 21 | – | 33 | 26 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 41 | – | 49 | – |
City Brand Strength
Toronto stands as one of North America’s most dynamic and globally connected cities, recognized for its innovation, diversity, and strong economic performance. Ranked 14th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, 15th in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, and 12th in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024, Toronto combines financial strength with cultural vibrancy and social inclusivity, positioning it as a leading global hub for business, creativity, and sustainable urban living.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Toronto stands as a leading North American hub of innovation, diversity, and economic strength, blending technological advancement with cultural inclusivity and financial resilience. Ranked 15th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city excels in fostering startups, research, and digital transformation, supported by world-class universities and a highly skilled, multicultural workforce. Its 23rd position in the GFCI 37 Rank highlights Toronto’s strong yet regionally focused role in global finance, complementing its reputation as a forward-looking city that balances innovation, cultural vibrancy, and sustainable urban growth.
Appeal to Talent
Toronto combines a high standard of living with strong cultural diversity, innovation, and global connectivity. Ranked 13th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, the city is recognized for its excellent healthcare, safety, and public services. However, its 124th place in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025 reflects challenges tied to housing affordability, urban congestion, and infrastructure pressures. On the cost side, Toronto sits at 92nd in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 77th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, indicating a moderately high cost profile compared to other global cities, with expenses largely driven by housing demand and the premium attached to metropolitan living.
Urban Sustainability
Toronto is a dynamic global city that balances cultural diversity with a growing emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Ranked 26th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, the city demonstrates strength in governance, mobility, and global connectivity, supported by a vibrant economy and highly skilled workforce. Its 49th place in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024 highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in advancing green infrastructure, climate resilience, and sustainable urban planning. Together, these rankings reflect Toronto’s position as a forward-looking city with significant potential to enhance its sustainability leadership while maintaining its role as a thriving, inclusive urban hub.
Our Key Takeaways
Toronto is a global innovation hub, recognized for its diverse economy, thriving tech sector, and cultural vibrancy. The city thrives as a center for finance, technology, and creative industries, anchored by strong universities, cutting-edge research, and one of the most multicultural and highly educated workforces in the world. Its international appeal is strengthened by its openness, global connectivity, and reputation as a safe, inclusive city. However, challenges remain around housing affordability, infrastructure strain, and balancing rapid population growth with sustainable urban development.
- Strengths: Leading financial and technology hub, multicultural and highly skilled workforce, globally connected and inclusive city.
- Weaknesses: Housing affordability crisis, infrastructure pressures, high cost of living.
- Opportunities: Expansion in green technology and AI, talent attraction through immigration.
- Threats: Global economic shifts, climate-related risks, rising competition from other North American innovation centers.
Last updated in August 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Toronto’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.
