Our Predictions for the Next 15 Major US Transplant Cities
The days of being born, raised, and dying in the same town are ending. With the rise of casual air travel, college attendance, and global views, people are more interested than ever in transplanting to new locations.
In recent decades, people have left expensive places like New York, San Francisco, and Boston to live in more affordable locations like Denver, Seattle, and Portland. But now, those once-affordable cities are getting pricey, too.
So, where will the next affordable and appealing transplant hubs be? We have some predictions.
1. Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is getting more and more attention these days. While people still seem interested in transplanting themselves to places like Denver, KC is quickly becoming one of the most appealing cities in the middle of the country.
Despite how vibrant and entertaining this city can be, the cost of living is 7% lower than the national average, and the job market is growing. It has a hot arts and culture scene, as well as a prominent sports culture. From the Kansas City Chiefs’ hot streak to the modern art galleries to the many inventive gastropubs, it’s a fantastic choice.
2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
While everyone knows about Philly, it has never been a major transplant location. Most people who live in Philadelphia are natives, born and raised. We don’t want to say they’re unwelcoming, but they’re proud and sometimes set in their ways. But we think more and more people will head there in the next few years.
The city has a lot to offer — history, amazing food, nightlife, walkability, and more. The cost of living is 2% higher than the national average, falling below most major cities like New York, Boston, and Denver.
3. Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is not well-known outside of PA, but it’s one of the state’s largest cities and has a booming job market. While this random Pennsylvanian town might not sound appealing, the ample jobs, high safety scores, and variety of things to do convinced us to add it to this list.
The city is large, very large. So there are plenty of neighborhoods to choose from and room for more businesses to move in. The schools are good and healthcare in the area is desirable, making it a great place to plant roots.
4. Medford, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the biggest transplant cities and has been for a long time. People frequently move there for a big-city vibe without the NYC dirt and chaos, but the small city is crowded and expensive. Its cost of living is a whopping 47% higher than the national average.
While Medford is still more than 30% over the national average, it’s substantially more affordable than living in Boston city limits. Greater Boston and cities and towns like Cambridge, Newton, and Arlington are wildly expensive, but Medford is more reasonable. People can be right next to Cambridge, without paying Cambridge and Boston prices.
5. Colorado Springs, Colorado
As mentioned, people are still flocking to Denver, but we suspect somewhere like Colorado Springs is next. To be fair, we also think Aurora and Fort Collins have good odds of being a big transplant city in the next few years, but we’re going with the Springs because of the low cost of living, which is only 8.5% above the national average.
For perspective, Fort Collins is almost 20% above the average. Colorado Springs is considered a healthy city, as most residents enjoy an active lifestyle and the food options are diverse. There are stunning parks, family-friendly activities, and a decent population of young people for mingling.
6. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Who doesn’t want to live near a beach? People typically flock to San Diego or Miami, but, with those spots getting pricier and pricier, folks will be looking for more affordable beaches to live near. And we think one of them will be Virginia Beach!
The cost of living here is only 4.1% above the national average, but it offers a whole lot more than many other cities. The job opportunities are plentiful, housing prices are relatively low, there is natural scenery and outdoor activities. And did we mention the beach? With 38 miles of Atlantic shoreline, it’s an enticing city.
7. Daytona Beach, Florida
In general, Florida is an affordable state, barring fancier places like Naples, Miami, and Boca Raton. But Daytona Beach hits that sweet spot, offering affordability and the perks of Florida living. The city still needs a facelift, but officials are trying to revamp the city to its former glory before its tourism industry took a hit.
As the city slowly but surely improves in numerous ways, we expect people to take notice and head to the beach to enjoy the high quality of life and low cost of living, which is 8.7% lower than the national average.
8. Raleigh, North Carolina
The Carolinas have several brilliant cities that appeal to transplants, although they aren’t as popular with transplants as San Francisco, Denver, and Boston. Places like Greenville, SC, and Charlotte, NC, are steadily growing, and we think Raleigh is next. It’s the capital of North Carolina but doesn’t have a ton of transplants yet.
The cost of living is 4% below the national average, and the city is wonderful. It has a distinct southern culture, with fabulous food and friendly charm. Taxes are low, the job market is large, and the people are welcoming. So what more could transplants want?
9. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, yet its cost of living is roughly 6% lower than the national average. When you think of New Mexico, you might think of Santa Fe, but with a cost of living 17% over the national average, it’s not an affordable city.
Albuquerque might not have the same romantic vibe as lovely Santa Fe. But it features a booming job market, low cost of living, and comfortable weather. It can get hot, but most people enjoy the sunny climate. Affordable real estate means it’s a stellar place for young families to plant routes and make a life.
10. Concord, New Hampshire
While Boston has been the furthest most transplants want to venture into New England, we think that’s going to change soon. People still want to live near the coast, but don’t want to pay the insane cost of living in locations like California and New York. That makes upper New England very desirable, especially for its historical charm.
New Hampshire touches the ocean and has several decent cities that can appeal to transplants, one of those being Concord. The cost of living in Concord is only 5% higher than the national average, but there’s plenty of space, jobs, and real estate. Plus, transplants can take advantage of the endless outdoor activities and scenery in this rustic state.
11. Wichita, Kansas
Kansas, and many other Midwest states, have never been big on transplants. But, as mentioned, the cost of coastal living is driving people inland. Wichita has always been a major city but hasn’t attracted a lot of transplants, but that might be changing soon.
With a cost of living approximately 9% lower than the national average, it’s wonderfully affordable. Despite what some may think, the city has a diverse culture and many educational opportunities, making it ideal for young transplants looking to grow their careers. Some consider it a hub for entrepreneurs, and Kansas is generally an excellent place for professional opportunities.
12. Huntsville, Alabama
Alabama, like New Hampshire, is an overlooked coastal state that can offer beaches and pleasant weather. In recent years, Huntsville has become a marvelous place for professionals, offering ample employment opportunities thanks to organizations like Boeing and NASA setting up camps there.
The cost of living is just below the national average, making for an affordable lifestyle. While the job market is flourishing, the city still has a tight-knit community vibe that is oh-so Southern, and that attracts transplants looking for a more convivial and slow-paced urban life.
13. Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay’s cost of living is an impressive 13% lower than the US national average, meaning moving here is a brilliant financial decision for transplants. Industries like insurance, finance, and healthcare reign supreme here, offering a diverse array of employment opportunities.
The city has low crime rates, attracting young families, and the arts and culture scene is becoming more and more interesting. It offers a more relaxed vibe than places like San Francisco or New York, so expect friendly people and leisurely activities. Plus, who wouldn’t want to live in the cheese capital of the country?
14. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is frequently rated one of the best cities in Michigan for people of all ages and is slowly becoming popular among Gen Z. The cost of living is only 4% above the average, and the city offers something for everyone.
It’s known for its bustling food scene, outdoor excursions, booming job market, and walkable design. It has a college-town vibe and young population, thanks to the University of Michigan, making it comparable to places like Boston. The city also has thoughtful infrastructure, with public parks, efficient transit, and exceptional school systems.
15. Boise, Idaho
Boise’s cost of living is about 10% below the US average, so it checks off the affordability box for transplants. The city can appeal to those looking to move for common reasons, like decent healthcare, ample tech jobs, and easy access to outdoor fun.
But a major aspect that we think makes Boise one of the next major transplant cities is that it’s near California, Washington, and Oregon, three huge transplant states that are steadily becoming too pricey for people. In Boise, you can get almost everything those states offer (excluding the ocean and legal marijuana) for much less.
Check Out These Underrated Cities
For those itching to move somewhere new but stifled but the high cost of living in major cities, consider these underrated and overlooked cities. While these might not be the hottest destinations right now, we think they’ll grow exponentially in the coming years.
If you make a move now, you can beat everyone to these cities and settle in before the hoards of transplants read this article and do the same.
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