Top 10 Fastest-Growing Cities in the United States

Table of Contents:

Fastest Growing Cities

Top Reasons to Move to Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the slowest growing city in America?

Which cities have the largest populations in the United States?

Summary

Fastest-Growing Cities

Trying to decide where to move? Knowing where people are moving and why is a great start to making the life decision to relocate to a new city.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, from 2021 through 2022, the fastest-growing cities are listed below. The rankings are determined by the net migration of each metropolitan area. The net migration is measured by the growth or decline of the population over the past five years.

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• OVERALL SCORE 6.9
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.0
• VALUE 6.0

Myrtle Beach is the fastest-growing city on our list. It’s primarily known for its beaches, and golfing destinations for vacationers but is becoming a more attractive place to live permanently.

Many young professionals, families, and empty nesters are attracted to the city’s good weather and beaches with a very low cost of living.

There are many jobs available in tourism, but the city is also attractive to other types of workers because the city is pro-business with low tax rates, which provide incentives for growing businesses. In addition, with a coastal vibe and tons of restaurants and fun activities around town on an ongoing basis, the city is a hot spot.

1. Sarasota, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 7.2
• QUALITY OF LIFE 7.3
• VALUE 5.5

Sarasota has a unique feel that is different from other cities in Florida.

The city is known for its artsy vibe, beaches, and popular dining destinations. Most people who move to the city seek a unique and charming experience.

The metroplex has over 800,000 people and a lot of cultural elements. There is a very well-known opera house, several bars, and a popular beach called Siesta Key. The duality between the sophistication of its restaurants and the more tranquil beach ambiance creates a perfect balance for long-time residents.

The city was once known for attracting primarily retirees but has attracted more young professionals drawn to eclectic neighborhoods such as the Rosemary District with art murals and modern living options.

1. Fort Myers, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.8
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.8
• VALUE 5.2

Fort Myers is also known as the “City of Palms.” Fort Meyers is a long-time vacation destination, but the city is growing. The city has vacationers year-round drawn to its warm weather that lasts year-round and white sand beaches. The city offers a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, tennis, and other sports. The city is known for having more diversity than other Florida cities.

1. Naples, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 7.2
• QUALITY OF LIFE 7.7
• VALUE 4.7

Naples is between the Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico. The city is known for its abundance of wealthy and powerful retirees who enjoy the nearby beaches, massive golf courses, and fine dining and shopping. Naples leans towards a more senior demographic but the attraction to the beaches and no state income tax continues to promote the start of small businesses.

There is a lack of affordable homes in the area, especially the greater Naples area, and a lot of traffic, but the summer months are superb. Many people come in the early summer months before the weather becomes too hot.

1. Lakeland, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.5
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.4
• VALUE 6.0

Lakeland contains 38 pristine lakes and a long history along with natural beauty. The history extends to the 19th century and offers many parks and beautiful weather. In addition, the city provides easy access to local attractions in neighboring cities like Orlando with Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Lakeland is also an hour and a half drive to the coastal beach. It is situated between Orlando, and Tampa, two major cities, so it can sometimes be overlooked, but it offers a small-town vibe that many find quaint and enjoyable.

The last five of the top fastest-growing cities are also in Florida.

1. Ocala, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.7
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.6
• VALUE 6.0

1. Daytona Beach, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.6
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.6
• VALUE 4.8

1. Port St. Lucie, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.7
• QUALITY OF LIFE 6.5
• VALUE 5.1

1. Orlando, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 6.7
• QUALITY OF LIFE 7.0
• VALUE 5.2

1. Melbourne, Florida

• OVERALL SCORE 7.1
• QUALITY OF LIFE 7.5
• VALUE 6.2

You may notice nine out of the top ten cities are in Florida. Why are so many people moving to Florida?

Top Reasons to Move to Florida

Here are the top reasons people are making moves to Florida.

1. Florida Has Top-Rated Beaches

Florida offers over 1300 miles of beach coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The top-rated beaches in the United States are in Florida. Most of these beaches are award-winning and make the area one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.

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Here are the most popular beaches in Florida.

• Pensacola Beach
• Destin Beach
• Panama City Beach
• Top Gulf Coast Beaches
• Clearwater Beach
• Saint Pete Beach
• Siesta Key Beach
• Sanibel Island Beaches
• Top Atlantic Coast Beaches
• Amelia Island Beaches
• Daytona Beach
• Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Miami Beach

1. Florida Has No State Income Tax

Along with some other states in the country, Florida is one of the few that does not have a state income tax. Instead, most of the state’s income is derived from a state-wide sales tax on consumer goods taxed at seven percent, along with an additional county-wide tax of five percent for rental property and hotel stays. This takes advantage of the state’s large tourism population. As a result, long-term residents benefit from sharing the cost of these taxes with travelers.

1. Florida Offers Great Year-Round Weather

It is a no-brainer that Florida has great weather! The average temperature is 72 degrees across all seasons, and the state has over 250 days of sunshine annually. This makes for great opportunities to get outdoors, play sports, and spend time on the beach and water. In addition, several activities are available on any sunny day that contribute to the many cities being top places to move to in 2022.

• kayaking
• stand-up paddle boarding
• rent a boat for the day
• golf
• tennis
• state parks
• biking
• jogging
• roller-blading
• scenic nature trails

1. Florida Offers Many Amusement & Theme Parks

Eight of the top 20 amusement parks are located in Florida and several waterparks. The state is most known for being the home of Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens. However, there are also several more parks to explore, making Florida one of the fastest-growing places in the country.

• Dinosaur World
• Dinoland
• Fun Spot America
• Florida Water Parks
• SeaWorld Orlando
• Legoland Florida
• Busch Gardens
• Aquatica Water Park
• Florida Amusement Parks
• Walt Disney World
• Universal Islands of Adventure
• Universal Studios Florida
• Adventure Island
• Discovery Cove

1. Florida Has a Strong Economy and Job Market

The Florida economy and job market are strong due to its top industries, including tourism and hospitality, real estate and development, defense and homeland security, and other businesses. In 2021, Florida saw a record-breaking number of 117.7 million tourists exceeding levels before the pandemic. Florida has a GDP of $1.1 Trillion, making it the fourth-largest economy in the United States. The state trails behind California, Texas, and New York.

1. Florida Has Lower a Cost Real Estate and Cost of Living

The real estate market in Florida is exploding. The state has several new apartments, condominiums, and other housing options being added to the market. The housing demand has caused home prices to increase steadily, with an average home price in 2020 now at $356,000. This is a nearly thirty percent increase from the previous year! The home prices are only about seven percent above the national average, as home prices increase across the country. Many new residents flocking to Florida are transplants from New York, New Jersey, and California, where housing and living costs are significantly higher than in Florida.

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1. Florida Is Great for Retirees

Many people retire in Florida, and the state is consistently awarded the top place to retire in the country. The state offers an exceptional quality of life with affordable health care. The amenities are thoroughly enjoyed by baby boomers with various living options ranging from RVs and trailers to luxury houses. The state has the highest population of residents over 65 years old.

1. Florida Offers A Lot of Outdoor Festivals and Events

Florida residents enjoy a nice mix of year-round events outdoors that residents cannot enjoy in the country’s north. Several activities include car shows, art shows, festivals, concerts, farmers’ markets, sand sculpture contests, and more outdoor activities.

1. Florida Has Exceptional Sports Teams

Florida is also an attractive place to live for sports fans. The sunshine state is home to many professional sports teams, including basketball, football, baseball, and hockey. The Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Tampa Rays, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all reside in the state. In addition, in the spring each year, many MLB baseball teams train in Florida, including the Baltimore Orioles, The Atlanta Braves, The New York Yankees, The Houston Astros, and others. These spring training games are open to the public and often bring large crowds.

1. Florida Has Short Days Trips and Attractions to Enjoy

Florida has so many attractions for residents, and many can be done in single-day trips saving the cost of an overnight stay. With so many places to explore, it is not easy to get bored in the state. In addition to its amusement parks, the state is home to Everglades National Park, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Kennedy Space Center, Saint Armand Circle, and much more. The northern panhandle also offers some great attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the slowest growing city in America?

Erie, Pennsylvania, is the slowest growing city in the country. In addition, the city has seen a decline over the past several years.

Which cities have the largest populations in the United States?

States that have the largest population counts according to the 2020 census are, in this order, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose.

Many people are relocating to several Florida cities, but none of the cities are on the list of the most populated cities in the country yet.

Summary

If you’re trying to decide where to relocate, knowing where people are moving can help you with your decision. Many of the most popular cities for moving to are in Florida. Florida is an attractive state to live in with so much to offer, especially for remote workers and retirees looking for year-round beaches, affordability, and sunshine.