CHICAGO—Researchers have been releasing a host of studies and predictions about where Amazon will locate HQ2, the North American office market's Holy Grail. Hamilton Place Strategies just released its own analysis, and if the Washington, DC-based consultancy is correct, things are not looking good for the Midwest.

HPS identified and examined 11 metrics in four categories for all 19 US cities in the running. The four categories were transportation, education, business, lifestyle and culture, and connectivity. Indianapolis and Columbus were hurt by a lack of international airports and adequate mass transit, and had below average livability and diversity. Each scored twos out of a possible 11. Chicago was considered a very average six. The city won points for its great transportation and nationally-ranked universities, but suffered from a below-average business environment.

Washington, DC was the top choice with an overall score of 10. HPS felt the city had the nation's best-educated workforce, and one of the best transit systems. Boston came in second place, largely on the strength of its unparalleled higher education. Significantly, Northern Virginia came in third at 8.5, and on the other side of Washington, Montgomery County scored a solid eight, putting it on the same level as Newark and New York City.