6 states represented in this shortlist.
wheretolive.us
Real data. Smarter moves. Better living.
Ranking
Fastest-Growing Large U.S. Cities
Large cities with the strongest population growth from the 2020 estimates base to the July 1, 2025 Census estimate. 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.
$1,910 median rent among covered rows.
How to use this shortlist
Large cities with the strongest population growth from the 2020 estimates base to the July 1, 2025 Census estimate. 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 |
| Godley, Texas | 2025 population #4845 | 66/100 | $2,038 | $110,417 | 5,093 | 5.2% | +253.44% | competitive | rent watch |
| Jarrell, Texas | 2025 population #4479 | 72/100 | $1,868 | $111,333 | 5,870 | 9.7% | +238.91% | competitive | rent watch |
| Hoschton, Georgia | 2025 population #3563 | 81/100 | $1,147 | $97,083 | 8,623 | 3.9% | +219.49% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Magnolia, Texas | 2025 population #3719 | 71/100 | $1,121 | $78,605 | 8,095 | 2.4% | +169.56% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Haslet, Texas | 2025 population #4753 | 77/100 | $1,156 | $169,046 | 5,267 | 0.5% | +166.68% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Lavon, Texas | 2025 population #2849 | 74/100 | $2,203 | $131,303 | 11,888 | 3.6% | +165.83% | competitive | rent watch |
| Princeton, Texas | 2025 population #954 | 70/100 | $2,239 | $105,200 | 43,524 | 2.5% | +156.08% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Iowa Colony, Texas | 2025 population #1904 | 74/100 | $2,360 | $144,092 | 20,503 | 4.9% | +152.78% | competitive | rent watch |
| Northlake, Texas | 2025 population #2827 | 77/100 | $1,746 | $123,469 | 12,036 | 4.2% | +129.78% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Dripping Springs, Texas | 2025 population #2972 | 73/100 | $2,234 | $109,364 | 11,167 | 3.4% | +126.47% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Hardeeville, South Carolina | 2025 population #2264 | 77/100 | $1,406 | $78,365 | 16,459 | 7.3% | +118.67% | competitive | rent watch |
| Horace, North Dakota | 2025 population #4070 | 83/100 | $2,146 | $138,578 | 7,001 | 0.4% | +118.37% | strong | rent watch |
| Melissa, Texas | 2025 population #1367 | 76/100 | $2,532 | $138,763 | 29,969 | 3.6% | +115.60% | competitive | rent watch |
| Eagle Lake, Florida | 2025 population #4276 | 64/100 | $1,688 | $70,523 | 6,415 | 8.8% | +112.70% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Manvel, Texas | 2025 population #1885 | 71/100 | $2,209 | $118,808 | 20,699 | 5.8% | +110.55% | competitive | rent watch |
| Paradise, California | 2025 population #3221 | 75/100 | $1,241 | $67,687 | 10,023 | 4.9% | +110.48% | cautious | rent watch |
| Royse City, Texas | 2025 population #1423 | 72/100 | $2,078 | $116,660 | 28,307 | 1.9% | +108.42% | competitive | rent watch |
| Anna, Texas | 2025 population #1175 | 70/100 | $2,105 | $105,593 | 35,245 | 4.1% | +105.67% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Crandall, Texas | 2025 population #3831 | 71/100 | $1,333 | $88,997 | 7,730 | 6.3% | +101.30% | competitive | rent-friendly |