NYC Only The Second-Best City In The World, According To Latest Power Ranking
London may have held onto its crown for the 11th year running, but New Yorkers are not taking second place quietly. The 2026 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance Consultancy placed New York City just behind the British capital — and locals immediately took to social media to argue that the ranking got it wrong.
The study praised New York as “the perpetual heartbeat of America,” crediting the city’s “refusal to play by anyone’s script” as “its greatest asset.” Resonance highlighted the city’s creative energy, cultural resilience, and relentless reinvention as defining traits that continue to capture global fascination.
According to the report, New York’s success stems from “ongoing investment in its cultural economy, massive urban infrastructure projects and global infatuation despite current politics.” From Broadway and museums to billion-dollar transit projects, the city’s ability to adapt and expand remains its edge.
Tourism continues to be one of New York’s biggest economic engines. In 2024, nearly 65 million people visited the five boroughs, generating over $70 billion in revenue. The city anticipates 64.1 million visitors in 2025, with growing interest in outer-borough destinations like Brooklyn and the Bronx drawing domestic travelers beyond Manhattan’s traditional hotspots.
Next year’s global events are expected to bring even bigger crowds. With the FIFA World Cup final set for MetLife Stadium and the Sail4th 250 celebration marking America’s 250th birthday, officials predict a record-breaking influx of tourists.
New York’s connectivity also played a role in its high ranking. The city’s airport network now ranks second globally, bolstered by major upgrades at JFK, where the $19 billion New Terminal One project will partially open in mid-2026 with 14 new gates.
Back on the ground, the rollout of congestion pricing in early 2025 dramatically reduced vehicle traffic below 60th Street, improving bus speeds and helping fund the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan — a historic investment in public transit modernization.
The skyline continues to evolve at a dizzying pace. JP Morgan Chase’s new 1,388-foot headquarters now dominates Park Avenue, while Two Manhattan West completes Brookfield’s massive West Side campus. Meanwhile, developers are turning outdated office towers into homes — including the former Pfizer headquarters, which is being redeveloped into a mixed-use complex with 1,602 units, and 5 Times Square, which will soon house up to 1,250 mixed-income apartments.
Hudson Yards, once considered for a casino expansion, has shifted its next phase toward residential and park development, reflecting the city’s pivot toward livability over luxury.
Culturally, the report noted that New York “has rarely been hotter.” The city ranked second in the Theaters & Concerts category and placed among the Top 5 for Museums. The findings reaffirm New York’s position as a powerhouse of art, performance, and creativity.
Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, welcomed the recognition. “We are pleased that New York City is included on Resonance’s 2025 World’s Best Cities list,” she said. “This recognition is a testament to NYC’s unmatched energy, cultural vibrancy and world-class experiences across the five boroughs that keep us firmly positioned as a must-visit global destination.”
Still, plenty of New Yorkers weren’t satisfied with being second-best. “Moved to London from NYC four months ago … can confirm NYC is still #1,” one person wrote on Secret NYC’s Instagram post. Another scoffed, “London in #1? Did I read that right? No offense, but there is no way!!!”
Others chimed in with the signature New York attitude. “London is not better than NYC, sorry,” one user declared, while another added with humor only a New Yorker could pull off: “Rats in NYC are cooler.”
{Matzav.com}
