In assessing cities with huge real estate potential, it’s easy to imagine an array of typical people – bustling, large cities such as New York and California.
We’ve noticed a shift in local housing markets’ economics, migration patterns, and economies in the wake of the outbreak. In addition to the increase in people moving towards areas with more significant living space and a better standard of living, many Americans are relocating to cities with high appreciation but affordable prices.
Metros of medium size all over America hold the distinction of “the most exciting cities” in recent times (and still do); the cities in the regions that tend to be most prominent have changed. In the past few years, cities in Western states, particularly Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, comprised the bulk of our list of top fifteen. But in 2024, most of the cities in this list fall within the Midwest or Northeast region of the United States – and there was no city from the West.
Find The Most Promising U.S. Cities In 2024
What is it that makes a city attractive? It may mean different things to different individuals. But, the most important thing is its ability to allow its residents to flourish no matter what it is – working, real estate health, or other areas you want to achieve.
Our MyState MLS team used the following measures to calculate the rank of the top cities to watch in America in 2024.
- One-year home appreciation
- Net migration to 2022
- Employment growth
- The rate of unemployment
- Growth in salary
- Small-scale company growth
- High-tech GDP growth
- Amenities
- Culture
- Walkability
- Recreation
- Violent crime rate
- The crime rate in the property
The cities with a crime rate higher than 55% of the country’s population were eliminated from the ranking.
Ames, Iowa
- Population: 97,117
- Net migration for 2022 0.54%
- One-year home appreciation: 7.8%
Ames is the home of Iowa State University, a university recognized as an institution of the highest standards in science, technology, and innovation. It should come as no surprise that the city is among the top 15% of the nation regarding high-tech GDP growth. In addition to technology, it is also the medical capital of adjacent regions.
Burlington, Vermont
- Population: 220,411
- Net migration 2022 0.73%
- One-year home appreciation: 5.2%
In addition to manufacturing and agriculture, tourism is also one of the leading employment sectors in Vermont. With a position on Lake Champlain, year-round outdoor entertainment, and a vibrant musical scene, Burlington has a lot to offer tourists. Buyers of homes looking for jobs in these or other fields could find work within Burlington, the Queen City, which ranks within the top 1 percent concerning its low unemployment rate of 1.4 percent.
Portland, Maine
- Population: 538,500
- Net migration for 2022: 2.17%
- One-year home appreciation: 2.8%
This city is ranked as one of the most livable cities in America; Portland ranks highly in terms of quality of living due mainly to its abundance of attractions and lower crime rate. The metropolitan area is within the top 5 percent of the nation for its wide array of amenities and among the top 1% of cities for the low rate of violent crime. Portland is the sole city listed on this list that has been featured repeatedly as a promising city every year. It went up from 15th place this year to number 3 in 2024. Portland is also listed as the #1 top city to live on the East Coast from 2023 to 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
Ithaca, New York
- Population: 102,180
- Net migration for 2022 0.40%
- One-year home appreciation: 2.3%
Small-scale business owners and their supporters could find the right solution with success. In Ithaca, it is ranked among the top 1% of the United States regarding small-business expansion. With a rate of almost 5 percent, The metro region has the highest growth rate of those on our list. With the assistance of local First Ithaca, residents can learn more about supporting local businesses and the social, economic, and environmental benefits of supporting local businesses.
Iowa City, Iowa
- Population: 173,105
- Net migration 2022 0.97%
- One-year home appreciation: 9.5%
With a one-year appreciation of 9.5 percent, Iowa City has a better appreciation of homes than the vast majority of the United States. However, just because houses are gaining value doesn’t guarantee that buyers won’t make a profit. The July 2023 Rocket Homes trends report shows that most Iowa City homes need less than $300,000. The median price sold was $294,950.
Appleton, Wisconsin
- Population: 237,974
- Net migration for 2022 0.29%
- One-year home appreciation: 4.3%
In addition to finding protection from natural catastrophes, Appleton home buyers can expect job security. The city has a job security rate of 1.8 percent of Appleton’s applicants still looking for employment, which is greater than 97% of the nation. Nature is also likely to thrive in the urban environment, which is why it’s acknowledged as such by Tree City USA, Bee City USA, and Bird City Wisconsin for its conservation and creation of this diverse ecosystem.
Charlottesville, Virginia
- Population: 235,763
- Net migration for 2022 1.03%
- One-year home appreciation: 2.6%
From the end of May 2022 until the end of April 2023, Charlottesville experienced 4.49% job growth, more than all other towns we’ve listed and over 97% of the nation. Naturally, Charlottesville is only some work and nothing to do. There are orchards, farmers’ markets, and a golf course that is championship, as well as more than 40 vineyards. Residents also have some things in common with a handful of our founders. It was the home of three presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison.
Bangor, Maine
- Population: 152,148
- Net migration 2022 1.94%
- One-year home appreciation: 6.1%
In Maine, Bangor local homes experienced a 6.1 percentage increase in property value in the past year – a more excellent one-year value than those across 85% of the United States. Although home prices trend upwards, living remains manageable, at less than 16% of America’s average. It makes the location among the top places to live with a family earning $65,000.
State College, Pennsylvania
- Population: 162,385
- Net migration 2022 0.29%
- One-year home appreciation: 5.1%
The city is also called “Happy Valley,”” State College has plenty of things to offer residents that will make them smile, from D1-level university sporting events, the main street that is bustling to national parks as well as some of the most beautiful autumn leaves images in the United States. State College is also home to among the most minor crime-ridden areas across the nation, putting it within the top 5% in violent and property crimes.
Richmond, Virginia
- Population: 1,315,600
- Net migration 2022 1.68%
- One-year home appreciation: 5.7%
In the top 15 percent of America for its variety of cultural activities, Richmond is steeped in the past and is among the few big cities on our list. It’s where Patrick Henry uttered the famous phrase, “Give me liberty or Give me my life!” and Civil War cannons blasted on the Malvern Hill Battlefield. The residents live in the most notable landmarks of America’s evolution and development, including Jackson Ward District, Jackson Ward District, a National historic site that is considered the place of Black entrepreneurialism.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Population: 263,670
- Net migration for 2022: 0.80%
- One-year home appreciation: 6.1%
Atlantic City is known to numerous people for its beaches, casinos, and boardwalk; however, Atlantic City is also a city of aviation technology due to its William J. Hughes Technical Center. The facility covers 5,000 square feet and assists members of the United States National Airspace System (NAS) by researching the latest engineering, technology, and technological advancements in aviation. It’s also a potential contributor to the global high-tech growth in GDP, which is among the top 20 percent of the nation.
Albany, New York
- Population: 880,381
- Net migration 2022 0.67%
- One-year home appreciation: 5.3%
New York’s capital city offers more recreational opportunities than most of the United States – and the residents of New York can take advantage of them on land, on the water, or underground all year long. The city’s metro region includes Sand dunes and rock structures brimming with fossils, waterfalls paths for biking and hiking, and canals, rivers, caverns, and lakes in which adventurous visitors can discover the caves via foot or boat.
College Station, Texas
- Population: 264,728
- Net migration for 2022: 2.44%
- One-year home appreciation: 4.6%
College Station ranks in the top 5% in the nation for growth in employment between May 2022 and April 2023. The region has seen a nearly four percent increase in positions. The city is home to Texas A&M University; some of the top employers in College Station include education, the government, biotechnology, and health care.
Norwich, Connecticut
- Population: 265,206
- Net migration 2022 0.32%
- One-year home appreciation: 4.5%
Norwich experienced an increase in salary of 20.94 percent between 2019 and 2022. This puts it among the top 3 percent of the nation in that area. The pay increase could be a boon for Norwich people as their living expenses are just less than that of the average national (5-5 percent), and the median cost is $219,333.
Winchester, Virginia
- Population: 140,566
- Net migration 2022 2.70%
- One-year home appreciation: 1.3%
In 2022, the city had a net migration of almost 3%, a higher number of new residents moving in than 82% of the country. Tucked inside the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by orchards, the “Apple Capital” offers new and long-standing residents several amenities. Winchester is a charming town with a 45-block historic downtown, a 250-year-old marketplace, and several annual events, including Oktoberfest, outdoor movie nights, and the famous annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. All these events can be enjoyed with a sense of security as the metro area has a lower crime rate than 93% of the country.
