Seattle is North America's third smartest city

Fast Company has released its list of the top ten smartest cities in North America.  Seattle is third from the top. Vancouver, BC comes in at fourth place. Boston is number one.

All of the cities on the list "are pushing the envelope of technology, sustainability and better living conditions".

What makes a city "smart"? Fast Company's Boyd Cohen rates cities on six components: economy, environment, governance, living, mobility, and people.

Seattle scored very well in four of the categories, especially in governance and the economy.

Fast Company has also published lists of the top ten smartest cities on the planet and the top ten smartest cities in Europe.