San Rafael, CA, ranks No. 3 on the small-cities index this year after debuting on the 2015 index of large cities at No. 23. Milken’s Best-Performing Cities index helps businesses, investors, industry associations and government officials monitor and evaluate how well their metro is promoting economic vitality relative to the rest of the country. In addition, the index can serve as a tool for understanding consumer markets and business opportunities by indicating where employment is stable and expanding, wages and salaries are increasing, and economies and businesses are thriving.