In the present article the author is giving reasons for a phased methodical scheme of integral estimation of the municipal formations OF development level following the example of the regional city-centers of Privolzhsky Federal District. Th e necessity of integral estimation of municipal formations is caused by the requirement to have a precise and objective information about the competitive positions of the cities, which can be used in future for making important strategical decisions of socio-economic development of the territories. On the fi rst phase the author of the article is conducting a mark-rated estimation of regional city-centers in PFD pointing out some defects of the given methods. Th en the process of the expert-parameter investigation is characterized by the determination of the weight coeffi cient of the parameters used in conducting an integral estimation of the administrative centers of the PFD regions. On the third phase a description of methods of computation of integral indices of the cities
relative competitiveness is given. On the basis of computation results an estimation of socio-economic development “Kirov City” municipal formation in comparison with the other administrative centers of the PFD regions is given, as well as negative and positive aspects of Kirov competitiveness are distinguished. As a result of the investigation the author is drawing a conclusion that “Kirov City” municipal formation is the city of low-level competitiveness, though it has a certain potential of development. Th at is why the main task is to provide progressive socio-economic development of Kirov by means of competent and rational use of the available competitive advantages.