Do you want to be where the people are?
What makes a city a great place to live isn’t just about where people wish they lived or where the most jobs are — it’s also about considering where people are actively choosing to live. We examined population growth by net migration for the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. from 2010 to 2014, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, and ranked them based on the difference between people relocating there and those who move away. Read on to discover the 20 best places people are actually moving to across the U.S.
20. Seattle
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 7
Metro Population: 3,557,037
Median Home Price: $362,468
Median Annual Salary: $57,370
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 3.98 percent
As the fifth most desirable and fifth most fun place to live in the U.S., it’s no wonder people are moving to this Pacific Northwest hub. A healthy job market certainly spurs migration to a metro area, and Seattle’s ranking as the fifth best place to find a job adds to its appeal. And Seattle’s wealth of parks, restaurants and shopping opportunities make its residents’ free time more enjoyable.
19. Des Moines, Iowa
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 11
Metro Population: 590,741
Median Home Price: $169,550
Median Annual Salary: $46,600
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 3.99 percent
With just under 4 percent growth due to net migration over a five-year period, Des Moines is not only attracting a high number of people, but it also maintains an unemployment rate of just 3.2 percent. Iowa’s capital may be the only Midwestern city on the list, but its growing tech industry and low cost of living make it an attractive option to more and more people.
18. Tampa, Florida
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 42
Metro Population: 2,851,235
Median Home Price: $173,750
Median Annual Salary: $43,420
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.33 percent
The first of seven Florida cities on the list, Tampa saw a population growth from net migration of 4.33 percent from 2010 to 2014. Tampa’s warm climate is a big draw for seniors looking to retire in a place with ample beaches and a laid-back vibe — both of which this Florida locale has.
17. Dallas-Fort Worth
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 21
Metro Population: 6,703,020
Median Home Price: $202,121
Median Annual Salary: $47,670
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.39 percent
The largest metro area in Texas is also the biggest in the top 20 Best Places People Are Moving to in the U.S. As the No. 21 Best Place to Live, Dallas-Fort Worth residents skew younger, with a median age of just over 34 years, due in part to its healthy job market and sizable family-friendly suburbs attracting young professionals.
16. Lakeland, Florida
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 70
Metro Population: 617,323
Median Home Price: $145,350
Median Annual Salary: $38,370
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.41 percent
Lakeland’s convenient location gives it easy access to tourism hot spots like Tampa and Orlando. Despite maintaining a low profile compared to the two cities it’s sandwiched between, Lakeland experienced 4.41 percent growth due to net migration over a five-year period. With a median home price of just $145,350 and average monthly rent of $870, the cost of living is low compared to national averages.
15. Daytona Beach, Florida
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 84
Metro Population: 597,824
Median Home Price: $163,075
Median Annual Salary: $36,400
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.55 percent
Daytona Beach is the next Florida city on the list, and it is a particularly attractive one for retirees, as the metro area has a median age of 46.4 years. This city on Florida’s eastern coast also draws in tourists looking to escape colder weather up north, fish off the east end of the Daytona Beach Pier or take in a NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway.
14. Boise, Idaho
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 6
Metro Population: 639,616
Median Home Price: $232,500
Median Annual Salary: $41,550
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.55 percent
Boise’s capital and largest city comes in at No. 14, tied with Daytona Beach at 4.55 percent growth between 2010 and 2014. As the No. 6 Best Place to Live, Boise attracts residents with its solid job market and low cost of living compared to the median annual income.
13. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 3
Metro Population: 483,396
Median Home Price: $177,200
Median Annual Salary: $42,410
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.76 percent
Moving down south, Fayetteville earns a spot for its five-year net migration rate of 4.76 percent. As the No. 1 city on the Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. list, Fayetteville is the fastest-growing metro area in Arkansas and boasts a healthy job market with Fortune 500 companies such as Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods Inc. and J.B. Hunt Transport Services headquartered in the area.
12. Nashville, Tennessee
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 22
Metro Population: 1,730,515
Median Home Price: $192,200
Median Annual Salary: $43,950
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.77 percent
In the categories contributing to the Best Places to Live rankings, Nashville gets its highest score for net migration. The metro area has grown by 4.77 percent between 2010 and 2014. Tennessee’s capital also ranks highly for value, with a median home price of just $192,200, which is much lower than the national average of $218.867.
11. Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 15
Metro Population: 2,298,915
Median Home Price: $184,600
Median Annual Salary: $48,290
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 4.8 percent
Thanks in part to a relatively low cost of living compared to the area’s median annual salary, Charlotte is growing rapidly. The area grew 4.8 percent from net migration alone between 2010 and 2014. The Queen City also receives solid marks from Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which ranks the Charlotte area residents’ satisfaction according to their purpose, social, financial, community and physical well-being.
10. Miami
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 93
Metro Population: 5,775,204
Median Home Price: $228,650
Median Annual Salary: $43,950
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 5.02 percent
Miami rounds out the top 10 Best Places People Are Moving to in the U.S. with more than 5 percent growth from 2010 to 2014. Cost of living for residents in the Miami area is high compared to many other parts of the country, but that doesn’t appear to deter people from seeking out the South Florida city as their next hometown.
9. Denver
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 1
Metro Population: 2,651,392
Median Home Price: $301,300
Median Annual Salary: $53,060
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 5.05 percent
The No. 1 Best Place to Live also has the ninth highest net migration rate out of the 100 largest metro areas in the country. Denver’s red-hot job market and close proximity to prime outdoor attractions make it a great place to move, and the area has become a particularly desirable place for millennials to start calling home.
8. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 4
Metro Population: 1,714,629
Median Home Price: $215,730
Median Annual Salary: $47,430
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 5.35 percent
With big-name schools like Duke University, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh-Durham attracts a large number of college students. But the area is also bringing in a significant number of new permanent residents as well. Raleigh-Durham has a hot job market and is widely recognized for its high-quality health care.
7. San Antonio
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 23
Metro Population: 2,239,222
Median Home Price: $161,900
Median Annual Salary: $41,870
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 5.36 percent
Home to the Alamo, San Antonio comes in at No. 7 with 5.36 percent population growth between 2010 and 2014 due to net migration alone. Of the four Texas metro areas on this list, San Antonio has the lowest median home price, at just $161,900.
6. Houston
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 17
Metro Population: 6,204,141
Median Home Price: $190,000
Median Annual Salary: $50,830
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 5.43 percent
Moving only a few hours east, Houston grew at a similar rate to San Antonio, with 5.43 percent growth in the five-year period. While it may be pricier than the Alamo City, Houston still has a low cost of living compared to the rest of the country, with a median home price of just $190,000.
5. Orlando
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 44
Metro Population: 2,226,835
Median Home Price: $188,250
Median Annual Salary: $40,200
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 6.37 percent
Staying in the southern U.S. for the remainder of the list, Orlando comes in at No. 5 with a population growth of nearly 6.4 percent between 2010 and 2014. Orlando is a big draw for new residents and tourists alike, with sunny weather and major employers in the tourism industry such as Disney and Universal Studios.
4. Charleston, South Carolina
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 19
Metro Population: 697,281
Median Home Price: $209,450
Median Annual Salary: $42,770
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 6.49 percent
Taking the No. 4 spot on the list is Charleston, with 6.49 percent population growth due to net migration over a five-year period. Having ranked eighth in the 20 Most Desirable Places to Live, Charleston proves many people are choosing to relocate based on personal preference.
3. Sarasota, Florida
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 14
Metro Population: 722,784
Median Home Price: $226,750
Median Annual Salary: $39,960
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 7.67 percent
Sarasota took a sizable jump in net migration rates — growing by 7.67 percent between 2010 and 2014. The Florida metro area is a particularly large draw for retirees, and as a result, the median age in the area is over 50 years old.
2. Austin, Texas
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 2
Metro Population: 1,835,016
Median Home Price: $240,000
Median Annual Salary: $48,150
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 8.86 percent
The No. 2 Best Place to Live also comes also comes in at the second spot for the number of people relocating to the area. Having grown by 8.86 percent between 2010 and 2014 due to net migration alone, Austin also ranks highly for desirability and has a blossoming job market for the tech industry.
1. Fort Myers, Florida
Best Places to Live 2016 Ranking: 38
Metro Population: 647,554
Median Home Price: $201,925
Median Annual Salary: $38,750
Net Migration Rate, 2010 to 2014: 9.36 percent
With nearly 9.4 percent population growth between 2010 and 2014 due to net migration alone, Fort Myers is the top place people are moving to of the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. With a median age of over 46 years, Fort Myers is a popular spot for retirees and has grown significantly in recent years, though it remains a smaller metro area with less than 650,000 residents.
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The 20 Best Places People Are Moving to in the U.S. originally appeared on usnews.com
