The 25 Fastest-Growing Places in the U.S.
Areas seeing a population boom
Where are people moving? When calculating the Best Places to Live, U.S. News factors in each metro area's growth due to net migration over a five-year period. For the 2021-2022 rankings, we used U.S. Census Bureau net migration data from 2015 to 2019, the most recent complete data set at the time of our calculations. Places seeing the most growth attract new residents for many reasons, including a hot job market, affordable housing, a desirable location or some other factor. Read on for the 25 metro areas -- out of the 150 most populous in the U.S. -- that have grown the most over this period.
25. Nashville, Tennessee
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 30
Metro Population: 1,871,903
Median Home Price: $366,113
Average Annual Salary: $49,890
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 5.42%
With growth numbers like this, aspiring country singers aren't the only ones moving to Nashville. The largest metro area in Tennessee comes in at No. 25, having grown by 5.42% due to net migration between 2015 and 2019. Nashville ranks 26th out of the 150 metro areas on the overall Best Places to Live list for desirability, based on a survey of more than 3,600 U.S. residents that asked respondents where in the country they'd prefer to live.
Learn more about Nashville.
24. Phoenix
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 40
Metro Population: 4,761,603
Median Home Price: $383,750
Average Annual Salary: $52,330
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 5.67%
The only metro area in the Southwest to make the top 25 fastest-growing metro areas, Phoenix saw its population increase by 5.67% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The hot desert climate appeals to plenty of people, and the job market has fared better than many other parts of the U.S. The average monthly unemployment rate in 2020 for the Phoenix area was 7.4%, well below the national average monthly rate of 8.1%, and the average annual salary, at $52,330, is just below the national average of $53,490.
Learn more about Phoenix.
23. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 2
Metro Population: 1,959,006
Median Home Price: $329,709
Average Annual Salary: $56,887
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 5.87%
Home to the University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University, the Raleigh and Durham metro area has plenty of former students who are choosing to lay down permanent roots, while others flock there for the job opportunities offered by the schools and other local corporations.
Learn more about Raleigh and Durham.
22. Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 20
Metro Population: 2,545,560
Median Home Price: $351,700
Average Annual Salary: $52,150
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 5.9%
Growing by 5.9% between 2015 and 2019 from people relocating to the area, Charlotte attracts many newcomers drawn to job opportunities in the banking industry, as it's home to Bank of America and major offices for Wells Fargo. Charlotte's rapid growth, combined with high desirability among U.S. residents and a relatively low cost of living, leads it to take the No. 20 spot on the overall Best Places to Live list.
Learn more about Charlotte.
21. Las Vegas
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 137
Metro Population: 2,182,004
Median Home Price: $349,786
Average Annual Salary: $46,650
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 6.15%
The Las Vegas area saw its population grow by 6.15% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration. While people who have only visited Las Vegas for a conference or vacation will be most familiar with the Strip, most locals don't find themselves in the peak tourism areas often. However, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the tourism industry in 2020 and 2021 hit Las Vegas hard, leading to its overall Best Places to Live ranking of No. 137 for 2021-2022.
Learn more about Las Vegas.
20. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 4
Metro Population: 514,259
Median Home Price: $203,150
Average Annual Salary: $47,600
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 6.22%
Northwest Arkansas' largest metro area continues to grow rapidly -- by 6.22% from 2015 to 2019 due to net migration. Fayetteville's growth has slowed a bit, as its population grew by 6.94% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration, but it's still drawing plenty of new residents with its low cost of living and consistent job opportunities.
Learn more about Fayetteville.
19. Charleston, South Carolina
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 42
Metro Population: 774,508
Median Home Price: $380,374
Average Annual Salary: $47,800
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 6.24%
Palm tree-lined streets, brightly colored historic buildings and ocean views make Charleston an ideal place to visit, so it's no surprise the largest city in South Carolina has experienced a booming tourism industry for some time. But plenty of visitors are clearly choosing to stay, as the Charleston metro area grew by 6.24% due to net migration over five years.
Learn more about Charleston.
18. Jacksonville, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 22
Metro Population: 1,503,574
Median Home Price: $303,789
Average Annual Salary: $48,270
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 6.5%
The first of 11 Florida metro areas on this list, Jacksonville saw an increase in population of 6.5% from 2015 to 2019. Sunny Florida weather certainly attracts people to the state, but Jacksonville provides the added benefit of being a more affordable place to live than much of the rest of Florida. Jacksonville residents spend 23.58% of the area's median household income on housing.
Learn more about Jacksonville.
17. Eugene, Oregon
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 65
Metro Population: 373,340
Median Home Price: $323,000
Average Annual Salary: $48,820
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 6.74%
The Pacific Northwest is a highly desirable destination, but housing prices in Portland, Oregon, or Seattle will have some balking at the cost of living. But farther south, people are flocking to Eugene, a smaller metro area that offers a similar lifestyle without the same density or housing costs. Between 2015 and 2019, Eugene's population increased by 6.74% due to net migration.
Learn more about Eugene.
16. Salisbury, Maryland
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 95
Metro Population: 404,417
Median Home Price: $244,000
Average Annual Salary: $44,020
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 7.26%
Another smaller metro area seeing a lot of growth is Salisbury, the most prominent city on Maryland's Eastern Shore -- the peninsula to the east of the Chesapeake Bay. With a median age over 45, the Salisbury area is a popular destination for retirees who like the mid-Atlantic but are drawn to a more small-town atmosphere compared to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. Salisbury ranks No. 46 on the Best Places to Retire list for 2021-2022.
Learn more about Salisbury.
15. Tampa, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 32
Metro Population: 3,097,859
Median Home Price: $301,963
Average Annual Salary: $49,590
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 7.46%
With more than 3 million residents, Tampa is the largest metro area on this list. And it continues to grow: The area's population increased by 7.46% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration. Many other Florida cities are experiencing rapid population growth, as there are still nine more Sunshine State metro areas on this list growing even faster than Tampa.
Learn more about Tampa.
14. Boise, Idaho
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 11
Metro Population: 710,743
Median Home Price: $221,475
Average Annual Salary: $47,170
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 7.6%
It may be the capital city of a sparsely populated state, but Boise has been a popular choice for many relocating within the U.S. for a few years. Between 2015 and 2019, the Boise area's population increased by 7.6% due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Compared to other spots on this list, Boise's metro area remains relatively small with a little more than 700,000 residents, although many locals are quick to note that the area is far more crowded than in previous decades.
Learn more about Boise.
13. Austin, Texas
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 5
Metro Population: 2,114,441
Median Home Price: $377,693
Average Annual Salary: $55,190
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 7.87%
For more than a decade, an increasing number of tech companies have established offices or headquarters in this Texas metro area, solidifying it as a hub for the technology industry on par with Silicon Valley, Seattle and other major tech cities. Austin's affordability relative to the likes of pricey California metro areas such as San Jose and San Francisco drives many people to Austin for work. It's a hot enough destination that the metro area grew by 7.87% from 2015 to 2019 due to net migration.
Learn more about Austin.
12. Spartanburg, South Carolina
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 24
Metro Population: 307,617
Median Home Price: $156,300
Average Annual Salary: $44,920
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 7.97%
This northwestern South Carolina metro area is the smallest among the top 25 fastest-growing places on the list, but with population increases like the 7.97% it experienced between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration, it may not stay small for long. Spartanburg is also an affordable place to live in the South, requiring just 20.63% of the area median household income to cover mortgage or rent payments, property taxes and utilities.
Learn more about Spartanburg.
11. Fort Collins, Colorado
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 17
Metro Population: 344,786
Median Home Price: $462,481
Average Annual Salary: $53,230
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 8.2%
Fort Collins is a relatively small metro area compared to the likes of Denver or Colorado Springs, but it's attracting its fair share of new residents, particularly for its low cost of living compared to bigger cities in the Centennial State. Fort Collins grew by 8.2% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration.
Learn more about Fort Collins.
10. Melbourne, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 18
Metro Population: 585,507
Median Home Price: $217,400
Average Annual Salary: $51,180
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 8.46%
Melbourne saw its population grow by 8.46% due to net migration between 2015 and 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and much of the interest in this Florida metro area comes from retirees. The median age here is 47.3 years, compared to the national median of just under 39 years, according to the Census Bureau.
Learn more about Melbourne.
9. Orlando, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 60
Metro Population: 2,508,970
Median Home Price: $338,974
Average Annual Salary: $46,140
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 8.62%
The home of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando doesn't just attract tourists hoping to see their favorite fictional characters up close. It also brings people who are planning to make this warm-weather destination their home. While Orlando's growth has slowed after growing by 9.28% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration, people are still flocking to the area, causing it to grow 8.62% between 2015 and 2019.
Learn more about Orlando.
8. Port St. Lucie, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 47
Metro Population: 472,012
Median Home Price: $233,133
Average Annual Salary: $45,630
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 9.12%
Located along the Treasure Coast, Port St. Lucie attracts people looking for a place with plenty of waterways to explore and, of course, warm Florida weather. With less than a half-million residents, Port St. Lucie is more toned down and less touristy than places like Miami and Tampa. But the area is increasingly attracting attention, as the Port St. Lucie area grew by 9.12% during a five-year period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Learn more about Port St. Lucie.
7. Daytona Beach, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 69
Metro Population: 646,288
Median Home Price: $278,897
Average Annual Salary: $40,930
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 9.65%
Daytona Beach's growth from net migration between 2015 and 2019 reached above 9.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The coastal metro area attracts plenty of tourists to NASCAR races and local beaches, but many of these visitors also appear happy enough to make the place their next hometown. Like many other spots on this list, Daytona Beach attracts many retirees and has a median age of 47.5.
Learn more about Daytona Beach.
6. Ocala, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 58
Metro Population: 353,526
Median Home Price: $168,850
Average Annual Salary: $39,640
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 10.31%
This inland metro area in Central Florida grew by 10.31% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration alone. Residents of Ocala enjoy a relatively low cost of living compared to a lot of other Florida metro areas, spending 24.25% of the median household income on housing.
Learn more about Ocala.
5. Lakeland, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 80
Metro Population: 686,218
Median Home Price: $237,710
Average Annual Salary: $43,150
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 10.56%
Located in the center of Florida's peninsula, Lakeland is showing strong growth that mirrors the state's coastal metro areas featured on the list. Clearly, people moving to the area are just as attracted to the many lakes that give Lakeland its name as they are the beach access in other parts of the state. Lakeland grew by 10.56% from 2015 to 2019 due to net migration alone.
Learn more about Lakeland.
4. Naples, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 7
Metro Population: 371,453
Median Home Price: $345,000
Average Annual Salary: $47,980
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 10.86%
Located on the Gulf Coast where the Everglades begin, Naples receives a high score for its desirability and ranks No. 13 out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. on the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, which asks residents about their overall happiness, community pride and sense of security, among other details. Naples grew by 10.86% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration.
Learn more about Naples.
3. Fort Myers, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 43
Metro Population: 737,468
Median Home Price: $277,900
Average Annual Salary: $45,300
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 11.2%
Fort Myers is the No. 3 fastest-growing place on our list, after being the second-fastest growing metro area for three years in a row. The area grew by 11.2% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration. Fort Myers' growth is slowing a bit -- its population between 2013 and 2017 grew by 14.42% due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau -- but people continue to move here at a rapid clip.
Learn more about Fort Myers.
2. Sarasota, Florida
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 9
Metro Population: 803,709
Median Home Price: $387,630
Average Annual Salary: $46,040
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 11.22%
With a median age of more than 52 years, Sarasota is a particularly attractive destination for retirees, even more so than other Florida locales. In fact, Sarasota ranks No. 1 on the Best Places to Retire ranking for 2021-2022. Sarasota grew by a whopping 11.22% in a five-year period due to net migration.
Learn more about Sarasota.
1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 35
Metro Population: 463,987
Median Home Price: $198,600
Average Annual Salary: $37,740
Net Migration, 2015-2019: 15.65%
With less than 500,000 residents, Myrtle Beach is smaller than many places on this list, but it's proving popular among people looking for a new place to live. Like many of the Florida metro areas on the list, this coastal South Carolina spot attracts plenty of retirees looking for warm weather year-round. The metro area's median age is 48.1 years, and ranks as the No. 25 Best Place to Retire for 2021-2022, while taking the No. 35 spot on the overall Best Places to Live list.
Learn more about Myrtle Beach.
The fastest-growing metro areas out of the 150 most populous in the U.S. are:
-- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
-- Sarasota, Florida.
-- Fort Myers, Florida.
-- Naples, Florida.
-- Lakeland, Florida.
-- Ocala, Florida.
-- Daytona Beach, Florida.
-- Port St. Lucie, Florida.
-- Orlando, Florida.
-- Melbourne, Florida.