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10 Largest Cities in The United States: Why People Are Moving There

Get the complete list of the largest cities in the US by population, along with the reasons why people are moving there.
The 10 Largest Cities In The US & Why People Moving There

Are you considering a move to one of the United States’ largest cities? You will likely want to put some vital factors into consideration before moving. These include rent, average income, and the average price to purchase a home.

Maybe you’re even planning on starting a business in another location. Or you only want to know some important details before you go on vacation to a city you are visiting for the first time. Possibly, you are just interested in knowing what makes bustling cities a choice.

We’ve performed research on the largest cities in the United States by population and the notable things that keep them on top and why you should consider them.

We will go over the details of the following top ten (10) biggest cities in the United States

  1. New York City— Population: 8,398,748
  2. Los Angeles— Population: 3,990,456
  3. Chicago— Population: 2,705,994
  4. Houston— Population: 2,325,502
  5. Phoenix— Population: 1,660,272
  6. Philadelphia— Population: 1,584,138
  7. San Antonio— Population: 1,532,233
  8. San Diego— Population: 1,425,976
  9. Dallas— Population: 1,345,047
  10. San Jose— Population: 1,030,119

1. New York City, New York

New York City - 10 Largest Cities in The US
  • Population:8,398,748
  • Average Age: 2 years
  • Average salary: $89,800
  • Average home list price: $760,000
  • Average monthly rent: $2,900/mo.
  • Also known as The Big Apple, The Melting Pot, The City that Never Sleeps
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building

They say everyone should try and live in NYC at least once in their entire life. Being the biggest city in the United States, New York is home to some of the best museums, top-level fashion, culture, and diverse cuisine in the world. If you are the type that prefers location to space and likes a fast pace living, New York might be your city.

With a non-stop subway system running every day and every time year-round, one can easily travel around without a car, which is good news because you will want to spend that money on all of the other important things to do in NYC.

New York City is home to iconic buildings and scenes like Central Park, Grand Central Station, The Statue of Liberty, and of course, The Empire State Building. One can live in New York for years and never forget the feeling of being a tourist even in your city.

learn more about NYC movers

2. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population (2019):3,990,456
  • Population change by +4.9% since 2010 (2019)
  • Average Age: 9 years
  • Average salary: $74,000
  • Average home list price: $859,000
  • Average monthly rent: $3,500/mo.
  • Also known as A., La-La Land, City of Angels
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard, Griffith Observatory

If you look up why you should relocate to Los Angeles, you will see most YouTubers telling you the reason not to move to L.A. Our response is a result of careful observation through that trick. Between the beautiful weather, unbeatable music scene, and fantastic shopping, Los Angeles is one of the largest US cities for a reason.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, Los Angeles is the adventurous center of your dreams. With lovely terrain, one can go surfing at the beach and skiing in the mountains in just one great weekend.

There is also great nightlife, food, and enough room for surprises with celebrity sightings everywhere you turn. Los Angeles is home to lots of Hollywood stars and professional athletes, which include the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. 

Learn more about LA movers

3. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:2,705,994
  • Average Age: 2 years
  • Average salary: $70,000
  • Average home list price: $329,000
  • Average monthly rent: $1,761/mo.
  • Also known as The Windy City, The Second City, City of Big Shoulders
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Willis Tower

In the Midwest, Chicago is the largest American city, providing the entire attraction of a big city living without the prices of New York or Los Angeles. Considering its location on scenic Lake Michigan, lots of Chicago homes are beside beautiful water views and are within walking distance to international-level shopping, public transportation, food trucks, lots of restaurants, and culture.

Chicago is indeed a city that has something for everyone, which includes Sears Tower, popular museums, and 5 major sports franchises, which include the Bulls and the Cubs. Situated in Illinois; where it meets with 6 other states: Michigan, Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Indiana, it is so much easy to access by car for lots of Americans.

Learn more about Chicago movers

4. Houston, Texas

Houston - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:2,325,502
  • Average Age: 4 years
  • Average salary: $70,000
  • Average home list price: $283,000
  • Average monthly rent: $1,500/mo.
  • Also known as Space City, The Big Heart, H-Town
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Space Center, Houston Zoo, Hermann Park

Houston is one of the rapidly developing cities in the United States for great reasons. It has a lot of room to grow due to the wide sprawl of the city. Houston is so wide that you may need a car to travel around. Plus, the city also boasts of a cheap housing market without income taxes.

If you’re planning to move to or within Houston, you’ll find a plethora of options with moving companies in Houston to assist you in your relocation. Together with its large size, Houston is a nice well-rounded city that offers culture, arts, and fascinating fresh seafood.

NASA’s Johnson Space Center is located here, a great performing arts scene courtesy of the Downtown Theatre District, the Astros Major League Baseball team, and the Houston Rodeo.

5. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix - 10 Largest Cities in The US
  • Population:1,660,272
  • Average Age: 4 years
  • Average salary: $65,000
  • Average home list price: $289,000
  • Average monthly rent: $1,475/mo.
  • Also known as the Valley of the Sun, The Valley
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Desert Botanical Garden, South Mountain Park, and Preserve, Papago Park

If you are an outdoor lover, especially a sunny, desert mountain climate that is perfect for biking, hiking, and river rafting almost daily, then look no further than Phoenix as your best spot.

The cost of living is moderately low compared to other US big cities, and the city has well-planned public transportation museums that honor Native American History and art in Phoenix, including four professional sports teams, and lots of golf courses that are open all throughout the year.

Learn more about Moving to Phoenix

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:1,584,1348
  • Average Age: 7 years
  • Average salary: $68,000
  • Average home list price: $234,900
  • Average monthly rent: $1,490/mo.
  • Also known as The City of Brotherly Love, The Quaker City, The Birthplace of America
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Independence Hall

Philadelphia is the 2nd-largest East Coast city in the United States, and it is a great place to live; thanks to its good location.

Residents of Philly benefit from the Amtrak high-speed train to gain easy access to New York, Boston, D.C., and Baltimore. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the country and is rich in history and architecture, plus great dining and nightlife scene.

7. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:1,532,233
  • Average Age: 6 years
  • Average salary: $61,000
  • Average home list price: $235,000
  • Average monthly rent: $1,300/mo.
  • Also known as Alamo City, River City, Countdown City
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: The Alamo, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio River Walk

Exactly in the middle of Texas, San Antonio is a relaxed and sunny city rich in Southwestern feel. It is famous for its historical sights like the Alamo and its scenic San Antonio River Walk, which is nestled with local shopping as well as crafts markets.

Sports lovers will get to watch San Antonio Spurs. And for craft breweries and food scene lovers, the Peal District is a developing area packed with several restaurants, breweries, as well as trendy historic hotels

8. San Diego, California

San Diego - 10 Largest Cities in The US
  • Population:1,423,851
  • Population change by +9.4% since 2010
  • Average Age: 4 years
  • Average salary: $75,000
  • Average home list price: $699,900
  • Average monthly rent: $2,750/mo.
  • Also known as America’s Finest City, Silicon Beach, City in Motion
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, USS Midway Museum

Do you love the beaches, ocean, sunshine, and art? San Diego is a dream city for people that seek that relaxed, California, surf-breaks-at-lunch living. Popular for having highly temperate weather in the country, San Diego is nestled close to great hiking, national parks, and the beach.

It is also filled with great booming restaurants, outdoor patios, and nightlife. Whether you are checking out the museums of Balboa Park or studying wildlife at the San Diego Zoo, there is a lot to see. Lots of residents of the city benefit from these sights with passes to these parks all through the year.

9. Dallas, Texas

Dallas - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:1,345,047
  • Average Age: 9 years
  • Average salary: $69,000
  • Average home list price: $365,000
  • Average monthly rent: $1,700/mo.
  • Also known as the City of Hate, The Metroplex, D-Town
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, The Dallas World Aquarium, Klyde Warren Park

Dallas is the developed and highly refined older brother of the three largest cities in Texas and is home to great dining, nightlife, and shopping, as well as the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas is situated in the northern area of Texas and it is cooler than Houston and San Antonio but yet sees a lot of sunshine. It is a contemporary city popular for its gorgeous skyline, which includes the Bank of America Plaza and Reunion Tower.

Learn more about Dallas movers.

10. San Jose, California

San Jose - 10 Largest Cities in The US - Moving APT
  • Population:1,030,119
  • Average Age: 8 years
  • Average salary: $100,000
  • Average home list price: $925,000
  • Average monthly rent: $3,400/mo.
  • Also known as The Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jo
  • Notable Tourist Attractions: Parque Diversiones, San Jose Central Market, La Sabana Park

San Jose is popularly known as the heart of Silicon Valley and is even beyond the technology giants like Google, Apple, and Adobe that call it home.

San Jose also has a sprawling food scene, excellent school systems, as well as proximity for some nice day trips to Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, and Lake Tahoe.

No wonder it costs a bit more to live in this place. If you have no problem with the price, and you are a tech guru and outdoor lover who can cope with 300 days of sunshine every year, then you might feel at home in San Jose.

The Other Highly Populated Cities in the United States

  • Austin, Texas: 964,254
  • Jacksonville, Florida— 903,889
  • Fort Worth, Texas — 895,008
  • San Francisco, California— 883,305
  • Columbus, Ohio— 892,533
  • Charlotte, North Carolina— 872,498
  • Indianapolis, Indiana— 867,125
  • Seattle, Washington— 744,955
  • Denver, Colorado— 716,492
  • Washington, D.C.— 702,455
  • Boston, Massachusetts— 694,583
  • El Paso, Texas— 682,669
  • Detroit, Michigan— 672,662
  • Nashville, Tennessee— 669,053
  • Portland, Oregon— 653,115
  • Las Vegas, NV – 664,304
  • Detroit, MI – 662,172
  • Oklahoma City, OK – 661,614
  • Memphis, TN – 647,506
  • Louisville, KY – 620,800
  • Baltimore, MD – 594,450
  • Milwaukee, WI – 581,949
  • Albuquerque, NM – 564,764
  • Tucson, AZ – 537,501
  • Fresno, CA – 532,703
  • Sacramento, CA – 513,330
  • Mesa, AZ – 503,619
  • Atlanta, GA – 501,178
  • Kansas City, MO – 501,094
  • Colorado Springs, CO – 493,799
  • Miami, FL – 491,724
  • Raleigh, NC – 485,679
  • Long Beach, CA – 466,203
  • Virginia Beach, VA – 454,846
  • Omaha, NE – 452,061
  • Oakland, CA – 426,410
  • Minneapolis, MN – 424,256
  • Arlington, TX – 405,486
  • Tampa, FL – 403,178
  • Tulsa, OK – 403,045
  • New Orleans, LA – 396,766

Ready to Move to One of these US Cities?

If you choose to move to any of these cities, you may need to get a professional moving company to help with the heavy lifting and transport of your goods. Fortunately, we are here to help. To get the perfect moving company for your need, check the large network of the best cross country movers on www.movingapt.com to hire a reliable and reputable long distance moving companies with a license and insurance.

With our cheap pricing and fast transit times, we help to make sure your move is highly convenient. Find out more by obtaining a free online quotes.

Dani James

Dani James

Dani James is a copywriter and blogger with more than eight years of experience writing for movers, real estate, and anything to do with getting from point A to point B. When he’s not finding new ways to save on moving costs, he can be found at home with his cat, binge-watching Marvel movies, and looking for new apartments he can’t afford.
Green Group

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