[Objective] To explore the effectiveness of sponge city construction and its key driving factors, in order to provide theoretical basis and policy guidance for sponge city construction in different areas in China. [Methods] The evaluation index system of sponge city construction was established from four aspects including water environment safety, the utilization of water resource, water pollution control and water habitat construction. According to the topography, climate and development scale, Beijing, Chongqing and Zhenjiang City were selected as the study areas. The change of sponge city construction and its key influencing factors was quantitatively analyzed by principal component analysis and fuzzy-gray comprehensive evaluation model. [Results] From 2006 to 2015, the index of sponge city construction showed an upward trend. Of all the sub-target layer construction indexes, only the water resources utilization index of Beijing and Chongqing City has decreased. [Conclusion] Chinese sponge city construction has achieved initial success, and urbanization is closely related to the change of sponge city construction index. The construction of sponge city in North China and East China should also strengthen the control of the reservoir volume per unit area and agricultural pollution load; and based on topographic analysis, the construction of sponge city in mountainous cities should also strengthen the control of water saving and domestic wastewater discharge.