New York and Chicago. Neither one is a place I would like to live. Terrible weather, crime problems, no ****ing parking, cost of living incomprehensible.
So, who really cares about a vague concept like "competitive city". Unless you're in banking or stock-brokering, you have no particular advantage to choosing either of them.
My Sister lives in Manhattan with her husband. Both are screenwriters, producers and directors. I've tried to understand the attraction but I've never gotten a satisfying answer. Considering that most of their employment is from Hollywood, on the other side of the country, I think they see something I don't or they are just weird

. They own a large number of properties - in Venice Beach CA and they stay in one of their apartments when they go there to work. So NYC has some secret magnet.
Quality of life depends mostly on the individual, not the environment. Sure, I don't want to live in Flint MI, the crime capital of America but I live in Las Vegas which is usually on the bottom of everybody's list. My life quality is good and I can always find a parking space. If I get lonely (despite the kitties) I can rent some of the worlds most beautiful women for a rousing romp.
There are other countries that are undoubtedly nicer to live in than the US. So what? We have it pretty good here and its been good for a long time. I've lived in other countries and was no better or worse off than here. I wonder if everywhere in the world there is so much dissent and complaint as there is here. To listen to some, we must be a horror camp. That just ain't so (IMHO).