10. Auckland
Country: New Zealand
Auckland scored high on education (100) and healthcare (95.8).
One-third of the New Zealand population is located in Auckland, the "largest commercial center" in the country. Major industries in Auckland include tourism, marine architecture, and specialized manufacturing.
Additionally, 80% of the city is considered to be rural; subsequently rural development is another major industry.
9. Perth
Country: Australia
Perth scored high on education (100), healthcare (100), and infrastructure (100).
Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia. Mining and mineral industries are major parts of Perth's economy.
Additionally, Perth boasts an oil refinery, steel-rolling mill, alumina refinery, desalination plant, power station, and a nickel refinery, according to the Government of Western Australia.
8. Helsinki
Country: Finland
Helsinki scored well on stability (100) and healthcare (100).
Helsinki's major industries include food, metal and chemical processing, printing, textiles, clothing, and manufacturing of electrical equipment. Over 50% of Finland's imports go through Helsinki, although most goods are exported elsewhere.
Additionally, Helsinki has grown into a major European start-up hub. And, in 2013, the gaming sector in Finland recorded a combined revenue of approximately €1 billion.
7. Sydney
Country: Australia
Sydney scored high on infrastructure (100) and education (100).
Sydney is the capital of the Australian state New South Wales. The city is the major center for information and communications technology in Australia. Plus 42% of workers in Australia's finance and insurance services business are located in Sydney.
New South Wales is aiming to have 12% of Sydney's water — that's 70 billion liters of water per year — to be recycled by 2015.
5. Calgary
Country: Canada
Calgary scored perfect scores on stability (100) and education (100).
Major Canadian and global energy companies are located in Calgary, as are financial services industries and film, tv, and creative industries.
People living in Calgary have the highest personal income per capita among major Canadian cities; and from 2004 to 2013 there has been a 16.7% increase in financial services jobs created.
5. Adelaide
Country: Australia
Adelaide scored the best in healthcare (100) and education (100).
Major industry sectors in Adelaide include healthcare and social assistance; professional, scientific and technical services; and accommodation and food services.
Accommodation and food services has seen the largest positive change in employee number from 2006 to 2011, followed by the healthcare and social assistance industry.
4. Toronto
Country: Canada
Toronto scored high on education (100) and stability (100), but slightly lower on infrastructure (89.3).
21 of the 30 largest law practices, 7 of the 10 largest accounting firms, and 7 of the 10 largest advertising agencies in Canada are located in Toronto. Over 56% of employees in Toronto's multi-faceted economy have post secondary degrees or certificates.
Toronto is also the major design center of Canada's design economy, and the third largest in North America after New York and Boston. Plus, Toronto's "fast-moving" fashion industry has contributed to the 550% increase of Canadian apparel exports since 1994.
3. Vancouver
Country: Canada
Vancouver scored high on healthcare (100), but slightly lower on infrastructure (92.9).
Vancouver has one of the most active start up scenes, and was ranked 9th in the world on the Startup Ecosystem Report 2012. Both HootSuite and Avigilon have their headquarters in the city.
Additionally, Vancouver has the third largest film industry in North America.
2. Vienna
Country: Austria
Vienna received perfect scores for healthcare (100), education (100) and infrastructure (100).
A large proportion of workers in Vienna are white-collar workers, public employees, and civil servants — and that percentage continues to grow. Over half of Austria's service industry employees live in Vienna.
Overall, Austria's most important and fastest growing industry is tourism.
1. Melbourne
Country: Australia
Melbourne had great scores around with healthcare (100), education (100), infrastructure (100), and stability (95).
The major industries in Melbourne include health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.
The health care and social assistance industry has seen the largest positive change in employee number from 2006 to 2011, followed by the construction industry.
Fun facts: Melbourne is referred to as the "cultural capital of Australia", and is where Australian Rules football began.