《2023中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)中(zhong)(zhong)小城(cheng)(cheng)市(shi)高質量發展指數研究》的研究對象界定為：縣(xian)(xian)(xian)級(ji)市(shi)、縣(xian)(xian)(xian)以(yi)(yi)及空間(jian)結構(gou)相對獨立的市(shi)轄區，以(yi)(yi)及發展基礎(chu)較好、已具城(cheng)(cheng)市(shi)雛形(xing)或(huo)城(cheng)(cheng)市(shi)形(xing)態的建制鎮(zhen)。其中(zhong)(zhong)，百(bai)強縣(xian)(xian)(xian)市(shi)為：縣(xian)(xian)(xian)級(ji)市(shi)、縣(xian)(xian)(xian)、自治縣(xian)(xian)(xian)、旗。

中小城(cheng)市綜合實(shi)力指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)研究指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標(biao)包括經(jing)濟發(fa)展、創新(xin)驅動、生(sheng)態環境、民生(sheng)福祉、城(cheng)鄉治理5個一級指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標(biao)，以及發(fa)展水(shui)平指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、發(fa)展質(zhi)量(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、創新(xin)投入(ru)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、污(wu)染治理指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、環境質(zhi)量(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、生(sheng)活質(zhi)量(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、行政效率指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)、社(she)會安全指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)(shu)等15個二(er)級指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標(biao)。