How many world-class cities does the US have? (2015, military)

[gladhands]

For the sake of discussion, I'd like to limit this to city proper, urban area, or MSA. CSA's larger than some European countries should not meet anyone's definition of a city. Imagine if we could rate Switzerland, the entire nation as a city. It's an artificially inflated city metric.

[Nukua]

I would say NYC, LA, Chicago and SF are the only world class cities. I would say DC and Boston cut it close, but not quite there.

[timberline742]

NYC and LA.

Chicago and SF are hemisphere class, but not quite world class. Chicago is closer.

Nothing else is very close.

[bawac34618]

NYC and LA are the only two cities in the U.S. that offer the complete package. SF and Chicago come very close. In my opinion, nothing else other than those four belong in the discussion.

[Enean]

The World

This seems relatively unbiased. I'm sure some will disagree (of course), but I think it's a good answer to the OP's question.

[BigCityDreamer]

New York City is in a category above every other U.S. city.

Below that is LA and then Chicago. Below that is San Francisco and Washington DC. Below that, other cities.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

This is my world class tiers:


Cities that are 100% world class across the board:
NYC
LA
Chicago
DC
San Francisco


Cities that are poised to be world class in the near future:
Boston
Houston
Philadelphia


Cities that have many elements about them that are world class but probably wont be fully world class soon:
Dallas
Seattle
Atlanta
Miami
San Diego
New Orleans


Cities that have a few world class elements:
Detroit
Minneapolis
Portland
Charleston
Denver
Nashville
Charlotte
Raleigh
Baltimore

[danny07940]

World Class to me are the following:

1. NYC

2. D.C. Capital and Seat of Govt and Military in the most powerful country in the world

3. LA huge GDP, seaport and glitz glamour capital

4. SF Tech capital of the US and probably the world, major destination

5. Chicago

HM 6. Houston giant port and oil

[gladhands]

Three: NY, LA, Chicago

Honorable mention, DC and SF

[_OT]

Such an overrated classification.