16 states represented in this shortlist.
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Ranking
Population Momentum by Region
Regional city shortlists based on verified population movement, useful as starting points for deeper relocation research. Rankings are transparent research aids. Verify rent, wages, school programs, crime, commute, taxes, and neighborhood details before making a relocation decision.
Westlake, Florida is first under this page's stated ordering.
Median transparent recent-grad fit score across the displayed cities.
$1,721 median rent among covered rows.
How to use this shortlist
Regional city shortlists based on verified population movement, useful as starting points for deeper relocation research. The order is a research screen, not a promise that the first city fits every household. Open a city profile, run the affordability calculator, and verify current housing, salary, neighborhood safety, school boundaries, taxes, insurance, and commute details before deciding.
| City | Catalog | Grad fit | Median rent | Median income | 2025 population | City unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake, Florida | 2025 population #3454 | 71/100 | ACS pending | $131,925 | 9,042 | 2.8% | +891.45% | competitive | watch rent |
| Josephine, Texas | 2025 population #3170 | 65/100 | $1,688 | $91,000 | 10,208 | 1.8% | +373.25% | competitive | rent watch |
| Fulshear, Texas | 2025 population #618 | 78/100 | $1,952 | $187,035 | 64,630 | 2.8% | +297.26% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Caddo Mills, Texas | 2025 population #4548 | 74/100 | $1,135 | $107,067 | 5,715 | 5.3% | +284.33% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Celina, Texas | 2025 population #619 | 78/100 | $2,379 | $170,894 | 64,427 | 2.8% | +276.79% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Liberty Hill, Texas | 2025 population #2631 | 74/100 | $1,508 | $115,096 | 13,317 | 2.8% | +276.61% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Paradise, California | 2025 population #3221 | 75/100 | $1,241 | $67,687 | 10,023 | 4.9% | +110.48% | cautious | rent watch |
| Star, Idaho | 2025 population #1873 | 76/100 | $1,924 | $97,936 | 20,874 | 6.9% | +84.64% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Timnath, Colorado | 2025 population #2901 | 85/100 | $2,206 | $178,257 | 11,600 | 0.6% | +78.54% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Saratoga Springs, Utah | 2025 population #658 | 83/100 | $2,256 | $128,802 | 61,397 | 2.7% | +62.79% | competitive | rent watch |
| Ridgefield, Washington | 2025 population #2300 | 75/100 | $2,335 | $116,389 | 16,132 | 6.9% | +55.61% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Severance, Colorado | 2025 population #2862 | 77/100 | $2,569 | $124,572 | 11,841 | 2.3% | +53.46% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Horace, North Dakota | 2025 population #4070 | 83/100 | $2,146 | $138,578 | 7,001 | 0.4% | +118.37% | strong | rent watch |
| Tiffin, Iowa | 2025 population #4018 | 85/100 | $1,224 | $100,952 | 7,156 | 0.4% | +58.28% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Dayton, Minnesota | 2025 population #2928 | 79/100 | $1,651 | $148,947 | 11,402 | 1.9% | +57.01% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Harrisburg, South Dakota | 2025 population #3125 | 87/100 | $1,362 | $108,724 | 10,405 | 1.0% | +54.47% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Whitestown, Indiana | 2025 population #2339 | 84/100 | $1,842 | $123,643 | 15,767 | 1.6% | +53.44% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Corcoran, Minnesota | 2025 population #3391 | 74/100 | ACS pending | $133,423 | 9,269 | 1.1% | +49.81% | competitive | watch rent |
| Kiryas Joel, New York | 2025 population #874 | 59/100 | $1,604 | $50,032 | 47,147 | 2.2% | +43.06% | competitive | high rent burden |
| Milford, Delaware | Delaware coverage | 67/100 | $1,260 | $59,464 | 14,723 | 5.1% | +31.86% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Kalispell, Montana | Montana coverage | 79/100 | $1,078 | $63,415 | 31,851 | 2.6% | +27.02% | competitive | rent watch |
| Alfred, New York | 2025 population #4809 | 76/100 | $899 | $40,625 | 5,147 | 16.4% | +26.40% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Belgrade, Montana | Montana coverage | 75/100 | $1,877 | $97,328 | 13,107 | 3.0% | +25.17% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Garwood, New Jersey | 2025 population #4695 | 75/100 | $1,753 | $110,670 | 5,390 | 7.1% | +21.15% | competitive | rent watch |