《2023中國(guo)中小城(cheng)市(shi)高質(zhi)量發展指數研究(jiu)(jiu)》的研究(jiu)(jiu)對(dui)象界定(ding)為：縣(xian)(xian)(xian)級市(shi)、縣(xian)(xian)(xian)以(yi)及空(kong)間結構相對(dui)獨立(li)的市(shi)轄(xia)區，以(yi)及發展基礎(chu)較好、已具城(cheng)市(shi)雛形或城(cheng)市(shi)形態的建制鎮。其(qi)中，百強縣(xian)(xian)(xian)市(shi)為：縣(xian)(xian)(xian)級市(shi)、縣(xian)(xian)(xian)、自治(zhi)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)、旗。

中小城(cheng)(cheng)市綜合實力指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)研(yan)究指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標包括經濟發(fa)(fa)展、創(chuang)新(xin)驅動、生態(tai)環境、民生福(fu)祉、城(cheng)(cheng)鄉(xiang)治理5個一(yi)級指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標，以及發(fa)(fa)展水平指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、發(fa)(fa)展質(zhi)量(liang)(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、創(chuang)新(xin)投入指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、污染治理指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、環境質(zhi)量(liang)(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、生活質(zhi)量(liang)(liang)指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、行(xing)政效率指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)、社會安全指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)數(shu)(shu)等15個二(er)級指(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)標。