Top 10 Largest U.S. Cities By Population

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Cities in the United States With the Highest Population

Planning to move to a new city? Let's review some of the biggest cities in America. If you are finding it difficult to decide which city is right for you, here's the list of top 10 most populated cities in the country!

1. New York City, NY

Estimated Population: As of 2020, New York City has a population of 8,622,357 people.

Nickname(s): The Big Apple, the Capital of the World, and the Melting Pot are popular nicknames for New York City.

Why You Should Move to NYC: The most populated city in the US offers opportunities for nearly every interest, including live entertainment, real estate investment, and educational opportunities. If you enjoy nightlife, you might like to see a Broadway show. The city is made of five boroughs, which offer culture and diversity that many people seek.

Notes on Population Size: From 2010 to 2020, the population in this city has increased slightly. The growth of population is estimated to be around 1.62 percent.

NYC Median Home Price: The median price of homes listed for sale in New York is $760,000, but the median price of homes that have sold is nearly $200,000 less.

See also: Moving to NYC

2. Los Angeles, CA

Estimated Population: There are 4,085,014 people living in Los Angeles.

Nickname(s): The Entertainment Capital of the World, Hollywood, and the City of Angels are all acceptable nicknames for this city.

Why You Should Move to LA: Los Angeles is the home of the entertainment industry, so many actors and actresses have flocked to live in this city. However, there are plenty of other reasons to move to Los Angeles. This city has beautiful beaches, parks, and natural resources.

Notes on Population Size: Over the past decade, the population in Los Angeles has been increasing at a rate of approximately 5 percent.

LA Median Home Price: In this city, the median listing price is $859,000, but the median price for homes that have sold is roughly $100,000 less.

See also: Moving to Los Angeles, CA

CALCULATE MY MOVE

3. Chicago, IL

Estimated Population: The population in Chicago is estimated to be 2,670,406 people.

Nickname(s): Chi-Town, the Second City, and My Kind of Town are nicknames frequently used for Chicago.

Why You Should Move to Chicago: Since Chicago is located in the middle of the US, it has become a hub for tourism, and several other industries have become deeply rooted in Chicago. This city shares a border with Lake Michigan, and it’s also known for creating innovations in urban planning and design.

Notes on Population Size: The population in Chicago is relatively stable. From 2010 to 2020, the population in this city decreased by less than 1 percent.

Chicago Median Home Price: The median price of homes that are listed in Chicago is $329,000, but the median price of homes that have sold in this city is roughly $20,000 less.

See also: Moving to Chicago, IL

4. Houston, TX

Estimated Population: Houston's population is 2,378,146 people.

Nickname(s): H-Town, Magnolia City, and Space City are common nicknames for Houston.

Why You Should Move to Houston: If you're interested in working in aeronautics, you’ll be delighted to learn about Houston’s historical roots in space travel that no other city offers. It's also a good city for people interested in manufacturing and energy consumption.

Notes on Population Size: The population in Houston has been increasing at a high rate. In the past 10 years, Houston has seen an 11.55 percent increase in its population.

Houston Median Home Price: In Houston, the median price for homes that are listed on the market is $283,000.

See also: Moving to Houston, TX

CALCULATE MY MOVE

5. Phoenix, AZ

Estimated Population: Phoenix, AZ is the home of approximately 1,743,469 people.

Nickname(s): Popular nicknames for Phoenix include the Valley of the Sun, and the Valley.

Why You Should Move to Phoenix: If you enjoy hot desert climates, Phoenix is a city that you should consider. People involved in the finance, healthcare, and retail industries will find plenty of opportunity in Phoenix.

Notes on Population Size: The population size in Phoenix has been increasing at a high rate over the last decade. The growth in population size is 17.51 percent.

Phoenix Median Home Price: The median listing price in Phoenix is around $289,900, but the median price of homes that sold is roughly $35,000 less.

See also: Moving to Phoenix, AZ

6. Philadelphia, PA

Estimated Population: There are approximately 1,590,402 people living in Philadelphia.

Nickname(s): The City of Brotherly Love, the Athens of America, and Philly are popular nicknames for this historic city.

Why You Should Move to Philadelphia: Philadelphia is stocked full of American history, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This city has plenty to offer in terms of colleges and universities. It's also a developing hub for biotechnology.

Notes on Population Size: Philadelphia's population size has been increasing over the last 10 years at a rate of 4.16 percent.

Philadelphia Median Home Price: The median price of homes that are listed is $234,900, but the median price for homes that have sold is roughly $50,000 less.

See also: Moving to Philadelphia, PA

CALCULATE MY MOVE

7. San Antonio, TX

Estimated Population: The population in San Antonio is 1,579,504 people.

Nickname(s): River City, Countdown City, and Something to Remember are all common nicknames used for San Antonio.

Why You Should Move to San Antonio: If you enjoy history pertaining to the Spanish frontier missions, you will love San Antonio. Apart from the Alamo, this city is home to one of the largest rodeos, and San Antonio also has one of the best medical care and research centers in the country.

Notes on Population Size: Over the past decade, San Antonio's population has grown more than any other city on this list. The population rose by 18.39 percent.

San Antonio Median Home Price: The median price for homes listed in this city is $235,000.

See also: Moving to San Antonio, TX

8. San Diego, CA

Estimated Population: San Diego's population is 1,469,490 people.

Nickname(s): America's Finest City is the most popular nickname for San Diego.

Why You Should Move to San Diego: San Diego has a mild climate, and it's a harbor city surrounded by deep water, which might explain its strong association with the US Navy. San Diego has recently become known for biotechnology and health services. You may also be interested in San Diego's high rate of tourism and trade affiliations.

Notes on Population Size: The population in San Diego has been rising at a high rate of 10.81 percent.

San Diego Median Home Price: In San Diego, the median listing price for homes is $699,900, but the median price for homes that have sold is roughly $80,000 less.

See also: Moving to San Diego, CA

CALCULATE MY MOVE

9. Dallas, TX

Estimated Population: Dallas' population is estimated to be 1,400,337 people.

Nickname(s): D-Town, Triple D, and the Big D are all popular nicknames for this city.

Why You Should Move to Dallas: If you're involved in the financial services sector, the transportation industry, defense, or telecommunications, then this city has a lot of career opportunities worth investigating. Dallas has over 40 colleges and universities. It's viewed as a diverse city because of its large LGBT community.

Notes on Population Size: From 2010 to 2020, the population of Dallas has grown by 15.15 percent.

Dallas Median Home Price: The median price for homes that are listed in Dallas is $365,000; the median price of homes that have sold is roughly $44,000 less.

See also: Moving to Dallas, TX

10. San Jose, CA

Estimated Population: The population of San Jose is roughly 1,036,242 people.

Nickname(s): The Capital of Silicon Valley is the main nickname for this city.

Why You Should Move to San Jose: Although the cost of living is relatively high, the largest city in Northern California is known for its innovation. In fact, it's the home of the world-famous Silicon Valley, so there are opportunities for employment within technology companies.

Notes on Population Size: Since 2010, the population in San Jose has been growing at a moderate rate of 8.30 percent.

San Jose Median Home Price: The median price for homes listed in San Jose is $925,000, but the median price for homes that sold is roughly $60,000 higher.

See also: Moving to San Jose, CA

CALCULATE MY MOVE

Finding a City That Suits Your Needs

When you are picking out a good city for your family, you need to take several key indicators into account. Understanding which cities have the largest groups of people is often an indication of more opportunities for you and your family. In addition to offering more options for housing, large cities offer opportunities for employment, education, and public transportation.

Interesting: Loneliest Cities in America