This research examined the impact of turnover among local officials on the high-quality economic development of resource-centric urban centers in China. Specifically, it investigated the potential mediation role of resource allocation efficiency. The findings suggest that turnover among local officials significantly hinders the high-quality economic development of China’s resource-based cities. Moreover, officials transferred from other regions exacerbate this hindrance compared to locally promoted officials. Resource allocation efficiency is identified as a mediator in the relationship between turnover among local officials and high-quality economic development. To enhance the economic development of China’s resource-based cities, recommendations include stabilizing the tenure of local officials, limiting their discretionary control over resources, and promoting a market-driven allocation of resource elements.