5 Up and Coming U.S. Cities

Whether you just graduated college, or you’re trying to move far, far away from someone, you’ll want to check out these up and coming cities in the United States.

1. Austin, TX

The self-proclaimed “live music capital of the world” is one of the fastest growing places in the U.S., with a 2.5% population increase, and an economy that grew 5.88% in 2013. When combined with great food and a hip, bustling nightlife, it’s no surprise so many young professionals have made the move down south.

2. Houston, TX

Economically, Houston is a force to be reckoned with. It’s the number one job creator in the country and houses 26 Fortune 500 companies (second most to NYC). Healthcare and the oil & gas industry are the two mainstays, with the latter getting a boost from the recent fracking boom. Combined with the fact that a paycheck in Houston goes further than almost anywhere else in the U.S., it’s not surprising that many young professionals are deciding to call Space City home.

3. Madison, WI

Clocking in at just under a quarter million people, Madison stands as the least populous city on the list, but it’s poised for growth. In 2014, development projects totaled $337 million, two-thirds of which was for large apartment buildings. In 2014, Livability ranked this college town and capital city as the best place to live. As Mayor Paul Slogin puts it, “If you can create a great space where our residents want to be, visitors will want to try it out as well.” 4. Oakland, CA Oakland is a cheaper alternative to San Francisco, but the price point isn’t the only draw. With trendy barber shops, clothing stores, and vegan friendly restaurants, it’s developed a cultural scene that’s drawn several comparisons to Brooklyn. 5. Nashville, TN Nashville is the second most popular city for young, recent college graduates. While that might be surprising to some, country-music isn’t the only thing that’s coming out of Nashville these days. In fact, the number one industry is healthcare, with over 300 companies residing in the Grand Ole Opry. The auto industry is also thriving, with more than 30,000 jobs at present. Of course, country music is still a big factor for tourists, and the popularity of the TV show Nashville has been proven to be a contributing factor for rising tourism rates.