Smuttynose
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Not sure how useful this is, but the Milken Institute publishes an Annual List of Best Performing Cities based on several economic criteria, including labor market performance, high tech impact (presence and growth of high tech), and access to economic opportunities.
The way cities are classified is confusing and seems somewhat questionable. Boston and Cambridge are classified as separate regions and the NH Seacoast is classified as a large city (?). Still it's an interesting barometer because many New England regions are included. No New England area is really on fire, but Southern NH, Southern Maine and Boston Area performs best. Connecticut, South Shore, RI seem to have the most challenges.
The annual rankings seem to be quite variable so I took an average of three years.
Large Cities
City/Region Avg. Rank (2022-24)
NH Seacoast (Rockingham/Strafford Counties) 58
Portland, Maine 59
Cambridge/Newton/Framingham, Mass. 61
Manchester-Nashua, NH 63
Boston, Mass. 95
Worcester, Mass/Conn. 96
New Haven 142
Providence, RI/Mass. 149
Springfield, Mass. 158
Bridgeport/Stamford, Conn. 162
Hartford, Conn. 180
Small Cities Avg. Rank (2022-24)
Burlington, Vt. 70
Bangor, Maine 80
Lewiston/Auburn, Maine 98
Pittsfield, Mass. 125
New London, Norwich, Conn. 142
The way cities are classified is confusing and seems somewhat questionable. Boston and Cambridge are classified as separate regions and the NH Seacoast is classified as a large city (?). Still it's an interesting barometer because many New England regions are included. No New England area is really on fire, but Southern NH, Southern Maine and Boston Area performs best. Connecticut, South Shore, RI seem to have the most challenges.
The annual rankings seem to be quite variable so I took an average of three years.
Large Cities
City/Region Avg. Rank (2022-24)
NH Seacoast (Rockingham/Strafford Counties) 58
Portland, Maine 59
Cambridge/Newton/Framingham, Mass. 61
Manchester-Nashua, NH 63
Boston, Mass. 95
Worcester, Mass/Conn. 96
New Haven 142
Providence, RI/Mass. 149
Springfield, Mass. 158
Bridgeport/Stamford, Conn. 162
Hartford, Conn. 180
Small Cities Avg. Rank (2022-24)
Burlington, Vt. 70
Bangor, Maine 80
Lewiston/Auburn, Maine 98
Pittsfield, Mass. 125
New London, Norwich, Conn. 142