Tucson outranks Phoenix on ‘World’s Best Cities’ list. Here's by how much

In January 2020, the city of Phoenix sent out a boastful press release. Resonance Consulting, a Canadian firm that compiles a highly anticipated "World's Best Cities" ranking each year, had listed Phoenix as the 49th-best city on the planet.

Things have gone downhill from there.

The next year, Phoenix slipped to the 55th best. The 2022 ranking brought a big drop to No. 76, followed by another in 2023 to No. 88. Then, indignity of all indignities, Phoenix dropped off the list entirely when Resonance released its top 100 for 2024 at this time last year.

But you know the whole thing about Phoenix, right? Ashes … reincarnation. … Resonance released its 2025 list last week, and Phoenix is back among the elite. This time, Phoenix is weighing in as the 89th-best city in the world.

"What’s not to love?" Phoenix's ranking reads. "A growing roster of fine museums, a vibrant artist community and 300 days of sunshine make the city buzz like never before (failed NHL hockey team be damned)."

Resonance considered three factors when ranking cities: livability, lovability and prosperity. (To untangle what those mean, take some ibuprofen and read the explanation.) Phoenix scored high marks for its convention center (No. 23 among all cities) and its price-to-income ratio (No. 24).

Phoenix also ranked 75th for restaurants, though Resonance expects that ranking "will continue to soar with innovative concepts like the Global Ambassador, the first hotel by restaurateur and 12-time James Beard nominee Sam Fox." We'd bet on Phoenix's dining scene, too, although our critic liked Fox's "concept" a lot less than Resonance apparently does.

But if Phoenix wants to move up the list in the future, it has several American cousins to jump — including its relative to the south. Tucson ranks as the 77th-best city in the world, per Resonance, which lauds its air quality (No. 3) and its status as America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

"Fast-growing Tucson is getting its sun-kissed, well-toned arms around its distinct sense of place," the ranking reads.

Here's where American cities rank entering 2025.

2. New York, New York
12. San Francisco, California
14. Los Angeles, California
17. Chicago, Illinois
19. Seattle, Washington
21. Boston, Massachusetts
23. Miami, Florida
29. Las Vegas, Nevada
31. Atlanta, Georgia
34. Washington, D.C.
37. Orlando, Florida
38. St. Louis, Missouri
39. Portland, Oregon
40. Houston, Texas
43. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
44. Denver, Colorado
46. San Diego, California
51. Minneapolis, Minnesota
53. Austin, Texas
55. Dallas, Texas
58. Honolulu, Hawaii
59. Detroit, Michigan
62. San Jose, California
63. New Orleans, Louisiana
64. Nashville, Tennessee
66. Salt Lake City, Utah
67. Baltimore, Maryland
70. Cleveland, Ohio
77. Tucson
78. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
79. Charlotte, North Carolina
89. Phoenix
91. Tampa, Floria
93. Richmond, Virginia
95. Raleigh, North Carolina
96. Rochester, New York