These 12 cities of 100,000 to 205,000 residents pair big-city amenities with costs that often beat the national average. The median home value ranges from $187,100 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to $1,093,300 in Pasadena, California, according to Census Bureau data for 2020 to 2024. Cedar Rapids, Rochester, Grand Rapids, and The Woodlands offer the most house for local incomes. Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale are the hardest to afford on a local paycheck.
Picking a new city means trading one set of costs for another. Some of the most popular large cities to relocate to offer cheap homes but lower pay, while others pay well and charge for it. Compare the numbers side by side, then shortlist the two or three that fit your budget and career.
The Most Popular Large Cities to Relocate at a Glance
All figures come from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates. The price-to-income ratio divides the median home value by the median household income. Lower is more affordable. The national ratio is 4.1.
| City | Population | Median home value | Median rent | Median household income | Price-to-income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 137,264 | $187,100 | $967 | $70,424 | 2.7 |
| Rochester, MN | 122,330 | $310,500 | $1,399 | $89,389 | 3.5 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 198,535 | $244,500 | $1,266 | $69,108 | 3.5 |
| The Woodlands, TX | 121,002 | $511,700 | $1,822 | $140,701 | 3.6 |
| Columbia, MD | 104,338 | $497,400 | $2,042 | $131,490 | 3.8 |
| Little Rock, AR | 203,436 | $236,400 | $1,106 | $63,003 | 3.8 |
| Fargo, ND | 131,627 | $281,900 | $946 | $66,998 | 4.2 |
| Pueblo, CO | 111,561 | $247,200 | $1,082 | $56,664 | 4.4 |
| Knoxville, TN | 195,185 | $239,700 | $1,191 | $54,039 | 4.4 |
| Gainesville, FL | 145,702 | $247,500 | $1,296 | $46,195 | 5.4 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 185,604 | $486,700 | $1,854 | $83,130 | 5.9 |
| Pasadena, CA | 136,969 | $1,093,300 | $2,265 | $105,192 | 10.4 |
| United States | 334,922,500 | $332,700 | $1,413 | $80,734 | 4.1 |
How Much Have These Cities Changed Since 2020?
Verified Movers first published this list in 2020. Prices have climbed everywhere since then, but not at the same pace. Comparing the figures we listed then with the latest Census data shows where the jumps were biggest.
- Pueblo, CO: median home value up 90%, from $130,000 to $247,200.
- Grand Rapids, MI: up 86%, from $131,700 to $244,500.
- Knoxville, TN: up 86%, from $128,800 to $239,700.
- Cedar Rapids, IA: up 33%, the smallest increase, from $140,200 to $187,100.
Incomes rose too, which softened the blow in some places. Median household income grew 50% in Fort Lauderdale and 48% in Pueblo, but only 18% in The Woodlands. For the bigger picture of who is moving where, see the latest migration trends in America.
12 Large Cities Worth a Closer Look
Each city below has its own trade-off between cost, pay, and lifestyle. The numbers in each profile match the table above.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is Iowa’s second-largest city and home to one of the world’s largest cereal mills, run by Quaker Oats. It has the lowest price-to-income ratio on this list at 2.7. The median home costs $187,100 and median rent is $967, while the median household earns $70,424. Buyers on a modest budget get the most house here.
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is home to the Mayo Clinic, the city’s largest employer. Healthcare jobs push the median household income to $89,389, well above the national $80,734. Homes still cost a reasonable $310,500 at the median. Movers heading north can compare long distance movers in Minnesota before booking.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Michigan’s second-largest city has a ratio of 3.5. The median home value is $244,500 and median rent is $1,266. Home values rose 86% since 2020, yet incomes grew 46%, so the city remains one of the better deals for first-time buyers.
The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands is a master-planned community about 30 miles north of downtown Houston. It has the highest median household income on this list at $140,701. Homes cost $511,700 at the median, but strong local pay keeps the ratio at 3.6. Families relocating here can compare long distance movers in Texas for the trip.
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community founded in 1967 between Baltimore and Washington, DC. Its median household income of $131,490 supports a median home value of $497,400. Rent is high at $2,042, so buying often makes more sense than renting for long stays.
Little Rock, Arkansas
The Arkansas capital is the largest city on this list, with 203,436 residents. Homes cost $236,400 at the median, and median rent is $1,106. The Clinton Presidential Library and the Arkansas River trail system add weekend options without big-city prices.
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city and home to North Dakota State University. It has the lowest median rent on this list at $946. That makes it a strong choice for renters, with rent taking only about 17% of the median income.
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo sits on the Arkansas River about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs. It saw the biggest home value jump on this list, 90% since 2020, to $247,200. Even so, its median home remains far cheaper than in Denver or Colorado Springs.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Home to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville sits about an hour from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The median home costs $239,700, but the median household income of $54,039 lags the national figure. Tennessee has no state tax on wages, which helps. Compare long distance movers in Tennessee if Knoxville makes your shortlist.
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, and students pull the median household income down to $46,195. Rent takes about 34% of that income, the highest share on this list. Graduate students and university staff tend to fare better than buyers relying on local wages.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is known for its canals and Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the country. Incomes rose 50% since 2020 to $83,130, but home values climbed to $486,700. The ratio of 5.9 makes it the second-least affordable city here. Long distance movers in Florida stay busy on routes into South Florida.
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is home to Caltech and the Rose Bowl. It is also the most expensive city on this list, with a median home value of $1,093,300 and a price-to-income ratio of 10.4. Renting at a median of $2,265 is the realistic path for most newcomers. Anyone moving in from out of state should budget for California’s higher moving and housing costs.
How to Choose the Right Large City for Your Move
Numbers narrow the list, but your job, family, and lifestyle decide it. Use these checks before you commit.
- Keep rent under 30% of income. Fargo, Cedar Rapids, and The Woodlands sit well under that line for median earners.
- Compare price-to-income, not just price. A $500,000 home in a high-income city can be easier to afford than a $250,000 home in a low-income one.
- Check the job market for your field. Rochester leans on healthcare, Gainesville on education, and The Woodlands on the Houston energy sector.
- Visit in the worst season. A February weekend in Fargo or an August week in Gainesville tells you more than any ranking.
The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey publishes these figures for every city, so you can check any place not listed here. Once you have a shortlist, our long-distance moving advice helps you plan the logistics.
Find Your Next Home Base
The most popular large cities to relocate to share one thing: they offer real city life without top-tier coastal prices, Pasadena aside. Cedar Rapids, Rochester, and Grand Rapids stretch a paycheck furthest, while The Woodlands and Columbia reward high earners. Start with the city that fits your budget, then let Verified Movers connect you with licensed long-distance moving companies and real customer reviews. Get free quotes today and lock in your moving date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best large city to live in?
It depends on your income and priorities. On this list, Rochester, Minnesota offers a strong balance: a median household income of $89,389, a median home value of $310,500, and a price-to-income ratio of 3.5, well below the national 4.1.
What are the top 10 cities people are moving to?
U-Haul’s 2025 Growth Index ranked Ocala, North Port, Kissimmee, and Clermont in Florida, plus Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as the top five growth cities for one-way truck arrivals. Smaller metros in Florida and the Carolinas dominate city-level growth.
What are three cities with low cost of living?
Of the 12 cities on this list, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (median home $187,100, rent $967), Fargo, North Dakota (rent $946), and Little Rock, Arkansas (home $236,400, rent $1,106) have the lowest housing costs.
What is a good city to start over in?
Cities with low rent relative to local pay make a fresh start easier. Fargo and Cedar Rapids keep median rent near 17% of median household income, and both have steady job markets in healthcare, education, and manufacturing.