In a world of stagnant wages and rising costs of living, moving to a place where you can grow your income feels like a solid bet. And many American cities offer just that.
Financial advice website SmartAsset analyzed data for the 500 largest U.S. cities to determine the top “boomtowns” in the country. These areas are not only attracting new residents but feature thriving economies and ample housing. The site considered seven metrics in its ranking, including change in household income over a five-year period. It also looked at population change, unemployment rate, number of jobs created, GDP growth rate, business growth rate and housing growth.
To compile the list, SmartAsset used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 and 2018 1-year American Community Surveys, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns Survey.
Here’s a look at 10 of the top boomtowns where household income rose more than 25% in five years.
10. Concord, North Carolina
Household income change 2014-2018: 34.7%
Population change 2014-2018: 10.01%
9. Milpitas, California
Household income change 2014-2018: 28.99%
Population change 2014-2018: 9.15%
8. Enterprise, Nevada
Household income change 2014-2018: 27.51%
Population change 2014-2018: 47.96%
7. Meridian, Idaho
Household income change 2014-2018: 30.94%
Population change 2014-2018: 21.72%
6. College Station, Texas
Household income change 2014-2018: 38.6%
Population change 2014-2018: 12.3%
5. Seattle, Washington
Household income change 2014-2018: 31.71%
Population change 2014-2018: 11.46%
4. Charleston, South Carolina
Household income change 2014-2018: 25.13%
Population change 2014-2018: 7.91%
3. Miami, Florida
Household income change 2014-2018: 31.02%
Population change 2014-2018: 9.43%
2. Denton, Texas
Household income change 2014-2018: 36.21%
Population change 2014-2018: 8.08%
1. Longmont, Colorado
Household income change 2014-2018: 29.16%
Population change 2014-2018: 6.43%
Via CNBC