Toomers CornerAUBURN, Ala.- The Milken Institute ranked the Auburn-Opelika area No. 14 on its list of the 2024 Best-Performing Small Cities in the U.S. Auburn was ranked the second-highest of three Alabama cities that were listed in the top 50.

The Milken Institute’s Best-Performing City index tracks the economic performance of about 400 U.S. metropolitan areas. Cities are ranked based on 13 indicators that cover labor market conditions, high-tech impact and access to economic opportunities.

Auburn climbed 12 spots from its 2023 ranking at No. 26. For more about the institute’s methodology and other details, view the full report.