08.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

Is Boston a best-performing city?

Is your city one of Milken Institute’s best-performing cities?

Aerial view of Boston and The Prudential Center

Boston ranked in the top 100 this year. | Photo by @mediabymarvin

Curious about exactly how strong Boston’s economy is? A nonprofit think tank called The Milken Institute released its “Best-Performing Cities of 2023 Index,” which provides an objective evaluation of the economic performance and resiliency of over 400 US cities.

How the ranking is determined

The Milken Institute ranks cities based on 12 indicators of economic growth and access to opportunities — namely, employment + wages, technology, housing affordability, broadband access, and GDP growth. (Did you know? GDP stands for “gross domestic product” — or the final value of the goods + services made in an area.) Read the full methodology.

Breaking down our score

Boston shot up 39 ranks this year. The city made the move from No. 114 in 2022 to No. 75 in 2023.

This seems partially due to improvements in job growth — up from 146 to 92. Other areas, like housing affordability and wage growth, sunk in ratings.

But Boston is in the top tier when it comes to the concentration of high-tech companies. In that regard, Boston ranks No. 39. Boston is home to a couple major players in the tech industry — like Amazon and Raytheon to name a few.

Want to see how the rest of the nation fared? Tap the button below to see the breakdown of eight other cities.

Compare our score

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Little Image, Hastings, Levi Evans | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 7 p.m. | Sonia, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge | $18 | This Texas band makes a big impression on their summer headlining tour.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Yappier Hour | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | The Yard at The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Boston | Free | Unleash summer fun at this weekly happy hour with music, cocktails, and plenty of pups.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Sunset Clambake | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 5:45-8:45 p.m. | Spectacle Island, Boston | $120 | Grab your friends and family and take a cruise to an island for a classic New England lobster clambake, including appetizer, main course, and dessert.
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic | Thursday, Aug. 31-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem | $0-$20 | View the exhibition featuring 100+ works by Black artists from across the globe.

Friday, Sept. 1

Walking Tour of The Innovation Trail | Friday, Sept. 1-Saturday, Nov. 11 | Times vary | The Innovation Trail, 50 Broadway, Cambridge | $20 | Visit dozens of local sites and learn about the scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs who made Boston an innovative city.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Traffic

Speaking of Storrowing... A new “Cars Only” sign installed just before Storrow Drive will warn vehicles before impact with four inches of hanging rubber. If you feel the bump, hit the brakes — before a bridge hits you. (Boston Globe)

Civic

Massachusetts will get a new secretary of transportation. After eight months of service, Gina Fiandaca is stepping down. She will remain in an advisory role through the end of the year and Monica Tibbits-Nutt will step up as acting transportation secretary — overseeing transportation departments like the MBTA. (Boston Globe)

Closing

Bye-bye, burritos. Several Boloco locations are closing by the end of the year, including its spots near Berklee College of Music, on the Common, and at 50 Congress St. Don’t sob over salsa — the children’s hospital location will remain open. (WHDH)

Opening

Widowmaker Brewing is opening a new beer garden at 501 John Mahar Hwy. in Braintree (near The Chateau). Opening night is Friday, Sept. 1, and will feature drinks, a wood fire pit, and lawn games.

Plan Ahead

Eataly Boston’s final Summer Block Party is Thursday, Sept. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at La Scuola. Tickets are $85 and get you food + bev tastings, two oyster tickets, and a full drink.

Finance

How many cards are in your wallet? Make your answer “one.” Earn a $200 sign-up bonus simply by spending $500 in your first three months with this card. Pair that with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 15 months — oh, and unlimited cash back.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin

From the editor

I must say — I am ready for fall. For me, autumn means hiking and dark beer.

My ideal weekend would be a trek from our hiking guide followed by the Candymaker milk stout in Widowmaker’s new beer garden. (Or really anything else on tap.)

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