8 Best Cities to Move to Start a New Life (2024 Data)
The temptation to move away and start a new life doesn’t just have to be a fantasy. Today, it’s easier than ever to research a city and see if it’s a good fit for you. With so many options, it can be hard to figure out the best cities to move to and start a new life.
Jacksonville, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are the best cities to move to and start a new life. Both cities have low housing costs, many job opportunities, a thriving nightlife, and an affordable cost of living. You can also find many great jobs and housing costs in Cleveland, Austin, Salt Lake City, and Richmond, Virginia.
Each of these cities is affordable, easy to get around, and offers a mix of nature and city settings. Follow along as explore the best cities to move to and start a new life.
Where is the Best Place to Move and Start Over?
Whether it be Charlotte, North Carolina, or Cleveland, Ohio, many U.S. cities are the perfect place to start over. Ideally, you should pick an affordable city with many jobs and a thriving economy. Let’s look at the best cities to start a new life in and highlight what makes them special.
1. Jacksonville, Florida
It’s no secret that many people move to Florida to start over. While Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando are common choices, Jacksonville is the best for many reasons. The cost of living in Jacksonville is lower than Miami and you still get 22 miles of beaches to enjoy.
With a median home value of $243,000, there’s a wide range of prices on the housing market. Hospitality, healthcare, education, and finance are the biggest industries in Jacksonville.
It’s much less of a tourist city than places like Fort Lauderdale, and that’s a big plus for many people. The vibrant nightlife, art scene, beaches, and parks make Jacksonville a great city to start over in.
2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
While the East Coast has many expensive cities, Pittsburgh, PA is not one of them. You can buy nice homes in Pittsburgh for just $140-$160 per square foot. That said, only 47% of the population of Pittsburgh owns their homes, and there are many great renting options.
The median gross rent is currently $1,153 which is reasonable for a medium-sized city. The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh continues to drop, and it’s now at 2.9%. Industries like robotics, healthcare, and manufacturing help boost the local economy in Pittsburgh.
3. Cleveland, Ohio
Affordability and opportunities are what define a great city to start over in, and Cleveland exemplifies this. Cleveland, Ohio is home to some of the most affordable housing in the United States. You can buy homes for under $70 per square foot.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in Cleveland is $87,400. Cleveland had a high unemployment rate, but it dropped to 3.6% and it looks like it will continue. The city’s metropolitan area is home to many jobs in the healthcare, insurance, service, and finance industries.
4. Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas has had a major population boom in the past several years. The cost of living is lower than in major cities like Los Angeles, and the job market is quite accessible. That said, now is the time to move to Austin as housing costs will likely rise with the influx of new residents.
The median home value is currently $461,500, but there is a wide range of prices. Only 44% of the population owns homes as Austin is more of a renter’s city for now. Austin is a great city for social people as it’s packed with restaurants, bars, and music venues. The 495 parks in Austin are perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors.
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah offers the best of both worlds between city life and nature. The beautiful surroundings are a nice escape from the excitement of the city. Salt Lake City is currently home to just over 200,000 residents, so it doesn’t feel crowded like some major cities.
While the median home value is $458,600, there are many affordable homes in the city. The majority of the population rents in Salt Lake City, and the median rent is $1,254. You can find many sales, customer service, healthcare, food service, and finance jobs in Salt Lake City.
6. Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia is a great city for a fresh start because of its vibrant culture. It’s a great city for fans of art, live music, lively bars, and a wide variety of restaurants. The healthcare, transportation, finance, and manufacturing industries are huge parts of the job market.
Richmond’s unemployment rate has dropped each year for the past 2 years, and it’s now 3.1%. Now is a great time to buy a home in Richmond as the housing market has gone up by 2.5% since last year. The median home value is $308,300, and the median rent is just over $1,200.
7. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The growing economy, wealth of entertainment, vibrant culture, and exciting nightlife are hard to beat. You can find plenty of jobs, and the unemployment rate is currently low at 2.8%.
Industries like health care, insurance, finance, and technology manufacturing dominate the Nashville job market. The median home value in Nashville is $351,400, but you can find many affordable houses and apartments. Between the moderate cost of living, job market, and endless entertainment, Nashville is a great place to move to and start a new life.
8. San Antonio, Texas
Much like Austin, Texas, San Antonio is booming in both population and the job market. Over 1.4 million people live in San Antonio, and it’s an example of a bustling city that isn’t overwhelming. It’s also quite affordable as the median home value is just $198,000.
San Antonio is also a great city for public transportation with inexpensive bus routes. Cybersecurity and manufacturing are two of the biggest industries in San Antonio. You can also find many jobs in healthcare and hospitality. The unemployment rate is at 3.2% and it has steadily dropped since 2021.