It might seem like an exaggeration to say that quality of life in the city is better than most other places in the U.S., but according to Mercer (the world’s largest human resources consulting firm) it’s the truth.

In its 18th annual Quality of Life Survey, the consulting firm evaluated the living conditions in more than 440 cities worldwide, considering an array of criteria from “schools and education” to “political and social environment” to “public services and transportation.”

What played the biggest role in determining top quality, however, was safety.

“Heightened domestic and global security threats, population displacement resulting from violence, and social unrest in key business centres around the world are all elements adding to the complex challenges facing multinational companies when analyzing the safety and health of their expatriate workforces,” said Ilya Bonic, senior partner and president of Mercer’s Talent business.

In its rankings, Chicago came in at No. 43. Considering only U.S. metros, the city was fourth only to San Francisco, which managed the No. 28 spot, and Boston (34) and Honolulu (35).

Though Chicago is a city in strife, struggling through extreme bouts of gang violence, the ranking is a testament to the how far Illinois’ biggest metro has come.

Other U.S. cities mentioned in Mercer’s survey included New York City (44), Seattle (46) and Los Angeles (49), among others.

To see the full top 50, check out our table below.