Seattle is among the best cities in the world, according to World’s Best Cities’ 2024 ranking of the most desirable cities planet wide.

The publication analyzed over 270 cities around the world based on three main pillars: livability (including metrics like walkability, bikeability, landmarks, parks and recreation, museums and higher education options) lovability (including culture, nightlife, restaurants, shopping, attractions and internet searches) and prosperity (including educational attainment, labor force participation, gross domestic product, or GDP, poverty rates, etc.).

Seattle ranked at No. 34 overall, making it the seventh-best U.S. city on the list. The metro previously ranked at No. 8 on the publication’s 2023 ranking of the best cities in America.

“America’s growing tech hub is playing the long game, focusing on inclusive prosperity and urban vibrancy to win the war for talent,” World’s Best Cities’ report reads. “You won’t find Seattle among the panicky headlines chronicling the decline of U.S. west coast metropolises.”

But what makes Seattle so great compared to other cities worldwide? For one, the metro ranks at No. 4 for availability and quality of nearby universities, namely the University of Washington. Seattle also ranked at No. 10 for GDP per capita and at present has one of the largest rates of residential construction in the country.

Seattle’s employment rate rose by 4% in the first quarter of the year, and its share of Fortune 500 companies — including giants like Amazon, Zillow and Starbucks — ranks in the top 25 globally. A large number of startups also fuel the local economy.

Furthermore, Seattle is especially livable thanks to a wide variety of nature-based attractions and outdoor activities across the Puget Sound area.