24/7 Wall St. Insights

• People are increasingly moving away from high cost-of-living areas like Los Angeles or New York City towards places where their money goes further.
• In all 35 cities on this list, the total population growth over a 1-year period sat between 1.2-4.7% — significantly higher than the U.S. population growth of just 0.49%.
• 15 of the 35 top cities to move to are in Florida.
• Also: 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever

Everyone is fleeing California. At least, that’s what seems to be happening with the millennial generation. Frustrated by high costs of living and high rent prices, millennials are seeking out areas of the country where their money has a stronger impact. Many individuals and households are headed down south. Not only are prices cheaper, but there are plenty of beaches, things to do, and (in some cases) no income tax. (Check out the tax burden in all 50 states.)

If you want your money to go farther and last longer, a change of scenery might be in your future. People across the country are beginning to question why they’re living in high cost-of-living areas — and looking for new places to move. Of course, to be attractive to new residents, locations typically must have a strong job market, affordable housing, and a strong culture or sense of community orientation.

To determine the cities Americans are flocking to in search of a better life, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program. Metropolitan statistical areas were ranked based on the percentage change in population due to net migration alone from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, and we included the top 35 cities. Data on median home value came from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community and figures are one-year estimates. Unemployment rates for April 2024 came from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are not seasonally adjusted.

Among the cities on the list, the population grew through net migration by 1.7% or more in one year alone. Natural change (births minus deaths) contributed 0.15% to population growth nationwide, and immigration contributed 0.34%. In the cities on the list, natural change contributed anywhere from -1.4% (meaning it had a negative effect on population growth) to 1.2%.

Several factors determine the attractiveness of a city, including subjective factors such as weather, community, and vibrancy, and more objective factors such as jobs, cost of living, and housing affordability. In the majority of the cities on the list either the unemployment rate is lower than the 3.5% national rate (in April), or the median home value is lower than the national value of $320,900 in 2022. Still, in some cities, including the top city on our list, this is not the case. These cities continues to attract residents regardless.

Why We’re Sharing This Information

Population growth comprises both natural change — births minus deaths — and net migration (people moving in minus people moving out). While some cities manage to grow mostly through natural change, the ability to attract new residents is often a sign of a positive economic environment among other things. When more residents choose to move in, it could further grow economic conditions in the area, while also alerting localities that services might need to expand. For people considering a move, the cities on the list may be already under consideration.

Here are the cities that Americans are flocking to: 

35. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.69% (16,216)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +2,335; domestic: +13,881
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +16,562 or +1.73% (41st fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 5.22% (41st fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.7%
• Median home value, 2022: $259,600
• Total population, 2023: 975,480

34. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.69% (46,794)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +29,343; domestic: +17,451
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +54,916 or +1.99% (29th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 4.64% (51st fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.2%
• Median home value, 2022: $361,100
• Total population, 2023: 2,817,933

33. Hinesville, GA

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.73% (1,493)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +187; domestic: +1,306
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,490 or +2.88% (6th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 5.28% (39th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.1%
• Median home value, 2022: $187,900
• Total population, 2023: 88,804

32. Gainesville, GA

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.74% (3,698)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +671; domestic: +3,027
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +4,646 or +2.19% (22nd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 5.90% (33rd fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.0%
• Median home value, 2022: $355,500
• Total population, 2023: 217,267

31. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.77% (10,237)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +2,234; domestic: +8,003
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +13,370 or +2.32% (18th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 6.40% (30th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 4.3%
• Median home value, 2022: $291,600
• Total population, 2023: 590,337

30. Midland, TX

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.85% (3,274)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +731; domestic: +2,543
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +5,077 or +2.86% (7th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 1.07% (180th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.2%
• Median home value, 2022: $284,700
• Total population, 2023: 182,324

29. Helena, MT

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.85% (1,750)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +61; domestic: +1,689
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +1,705 or +1.81% (39th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 7.26% (26th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.9%
• Median home value, 2022: $383,500
• Total population, 2023: 96,091

28. Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.90% (4,667)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +153; domestic: +4,514
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,851 or +1.16% (73rd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.42% (20th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.4%
• Median home value, 2022: $434,700
• Total population, 2023: 249,081

27. Naples-Marco Island, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.91% (7,579)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +3,382; domestic: +4,197
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +6,794 or +1.71% (42nd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.56% (18th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.9%
• Median home value, 2022: $541,500
• Total population, 2023: 404,310

26. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.91% (4,353)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +504; domestic: +3,849
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +4,390 or +1.92% (31st fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 7.83% (24th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.6%
• Median home value, 2022: $447,700
• Total population, 2023: 232,523

25. Johnson City, TN

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.93% (4,062)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +248; domestic: +3,814
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,975 or +1.42% (58th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 4.73% (46th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.7%
• Median home value, 2022: $221,400
• Total population, 2023: 213,198

24. Greeley, CO

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.94% (6,781)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +527; domestic: +6,254
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +9,176 or +2.62% (12th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 7.00% (27th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.5%
• Median home value, 2022: $456,100
• Total population, 2023: 359,442

23. Charleston-North Charleston, SC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 1.94% (16,127)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +1,865; domestic: +14,262
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +19,065 or +2.30% (19th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 5.22% (40th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.4%
• Median home value, 2022: $363,000
• Total population, 2023: 849,417

22. Jacksonville, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.04% (34,143)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +6,679; domestic: +27,464
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +36,911 or +2.20% (21st fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 6.37% (31st fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.2%
• Median home value, 2022: $347,000
• Total population, 2023: 1,713,240

21. St. George, UT

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.12% (4,196)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +173; domestic: +4,023
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +4,722 or +2.39% (16th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 11.59% (6th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.8%
• Median home value, 2022: $528,400
• Total population, 2023: 202,452

20. Morristown, TN

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.22% (2,700)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +160; domestic: +2,540
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,227 or +1.83% (37th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 5.70% (35th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.8%
• Median home value, 2022: $203,500
• Total population, 2023: 124,054

19. Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.25% (3,761)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +465; domestic: +3,296
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,528 or +1.51% (53rd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 9.05% (15th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.7%
• Median home value, 2022: $344,400
• Total population, 2023: 169,795

18. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.28% (5,033)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +81; domestic: +4,952
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +2,777 or +1.26% (68th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.68% (16th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.2%
• Median home value, 2022: $290,800
• Total population, 2023: 223,682

17. Huntsville, AL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.29% (11,756)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +893; domestic: +10,863
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +12,781 or +2.48% (15th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 6.83% (29th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.2%
• Median home value, 2022: $292,700
• Total population, 2023: 527,254

16. Sherman-Denison, TX

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.50% (3,573)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +132; domestic: +3,441
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +3,709 or +2.59% (13th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.59% (17th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.4%
• Median home value, 2022: $250,500
• Total population, 2023: 146,907

15. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.55% (22,777)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +2,951; domestic: +19,826
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +18,387 or +2.06% (28th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 11.26% (10th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.3%
• Median home value, 2022: $402,600
• Total population, 2023: 910,108

14. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.59% (16,326)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +1,440; domestic: +14,886
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +13,272 or +2.10% (25th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.11% (22nd fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.3%
• Median home value, 2022: $336,800
• Total population, 2023: 643,979

13. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.72% (19,187)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +1,617; domestic: +17,570
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +15,373 or +2.18% (23rd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 10.13% (12th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.6%
• Median home value, 2022: $320,200
• Total population, 2023: 721,796

12. Punta Gorda, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.74% (5,549)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +492; domestic: +5,057
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +3,552 or +1.75% (40th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 14.20% (3rd fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.7%
• Median home value, 2022: $342,700
• Total population, 2023: 206,134

11. Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.80% (5,907)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +749; domestic: +5,158
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +5,756 or +2.73% (11th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.51% (19th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.0%
• Median home value, 2022: $312,800
• Total population, 2023: 216,371

10. Sebring, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.85% (3,007)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +307; domestic: +2,700
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +1,965 or +1.86% (34th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 10.07% (13th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 4.6%
• Median home value, 2022: $176,900
• Total population, 2023: 107,614

9. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.88% (7,095)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +291; domestic: +6,804
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +6,976 or +2.83% (10th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 9.90% (14th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.5%
• Median home value, 2022: $304,600
• Total population, 2023: 253,507

8. Spartanburg, SC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 2.91% (10,855)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +660; domestic: +10,195
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +10,640 or +2.85% (8th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 8.30% (21st fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.8%
• Median home value, 2022: $231,300
• Total population, 2023: 383,327

7. Wilmington, NC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 3.04% (13,801)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +459; domestic: +13,342
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +12,947 or +2.85% (9th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 11.37% (9th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 2.8%
• Median home value, 2022: $357,100
• Total population, 2023: 467,337

6. Port St. Lucie, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 3.34% (17,415)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +1,566; domestic: +15,849
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +16,028 or +3.08% (5th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 11.39% (8th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.6%
• Median home value, 2022: $363,600
• Total population, 2023: 536,901

5. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 3.72% (29,364)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +3,335; domestic: +26,029
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +29,948 or +3.80% (2nd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 12.96% (5th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.9%
• Median home value, 2022: $267,500
• Total population, 2023: 818,330

4. Homosassa Springs, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 3.87% (6,296)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +113; domestic: +6,183
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +4,188 or +2.58% (14th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 13.26% (4th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 4.9%
• Median home value, 2022: $239,700
• Total population, 2023: 166,696

3. Ocala, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 4.04% (16,015)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +848; domestic: +15,167
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +13,522 or +3.41% (4th fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 11.55% (7th fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 4.0%
• Median home value, 2022: $243,200
• Total population, 2023: 409,959

2. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 4.10% (15,724)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +663; domestic: +15,061
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +14,331 or +3.74% (3rd fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 14.75% (2nd fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 3.3%
• Median home value, 2022: $299,300
• Total population, 2023: 397,478

1. Wildwood-The Villages, FL

• Population change due to migration, 2022-2023: 6.07% (8,788)
• Migration breakdown, 2022-2023: international: +104; domestic: +8,684
• Total population change, 2022-2023: +6,798 or +4.70% (1st fastest growth)
• Population change due to migration, 2020-2023: 21.95% (1st fastest growth)
• Unemployment rate, April 2024: 4.7%
• Median home value, 2022: $367,200
• Total population, 2023: 151,565

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