The quality of urban life in 33 cities out of 35 cities surveyed is substantially higher than that of last year, according to the Chinese Urban Life Quality Index of 2013 released Saturday by the Economic Research Institute of China.

This year, the average objective index is 57.75, higher than last year's 54.56. Beijing stands at the top of the 33 cities with an index above 50.

The survey was conducted in 35 cities between March and May, via 298,590 phone calls. The urban life quality index system consists of both objective and subjective indices. An index of 50 points and above revealed the subject was content with their quality of life.

"The survey indicates the quality of urban life is objectively improving, though subjective indices have remained stable," said Zhang Liancheng, president of the Economic Research Institute of China.

The average subjective index of the 35 cities surveyed is 50.87, almost the same as last year's 50.88. Indices from 26 cities were above 50, and among them, Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province ranks first.

Zhang also said the survey revealed concerns over high living costs, housing prices, food safety, social security and air quality, all of which are major hindrances to the subjective feel of urban life quality.

Both subjective and objective indices include five sub-indices, which cover living standards, cost of living, human capital, social welfare and spirituality.

The objective indices, focusing on 20 social-economic indicators stemming from official statistics, reflect all aspects of urban life.