The Top 10 Largest U.S. Cities by Population

Thinking about moving to a big, skyscraper-lined city? Start packin’ those bags if you’re planning for a long distance move! From the boroughs of New York City to the shores of San Diego, there’s a large metropolitan area to fit every person’s unique wants and needs. If you’re having a hard time deciding which big city is right for you, take a look at the 10 largest U.S. cities by population, as reported by the World Population Review, below.

#1 New York City, NY

Population: 8,550,405

Nickname: “The Big Apple” and “The City that Never Sleeps”

Why You Should Move: Fast-paced and energetic, New York City is home to many of the world’s most iconic neighborhoods, best restaurants, well-known museums and diverse neighborhoods. New York City is also one of  the largest cultural and financial hubs in the world.

Population Notes: According to the World Population Review, the population of New York City is expected to reach 9 million by 2040.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in New York City, NY is a pricey $849,000.

#2 Los Angeles, CA

Population: 3,971,883

Nickname: “City of Angels,” “La La Land,” “The Big Orange” and “Tinseltown.”

Why You Should Move: Home to celebrities, artists and free spirits, Los Angeles never stops attracting people from every corner of the globe. This cosmopolitan city offers a hub for the entertainment industry, as well as a close proximity to beaches, forests and hiking trails.

Population Notes:  It’s important to note that the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area actually has a population of 12.8 million, making it the second largest metropolitan area in the country after the New York City metropolitan area – as reported by the World Population Review.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Los Angeles, CA is $775,000.

#3 Chicago, IL

Population: 2,720,546

Nickname: “The Windy City”

Why You Should Move: Located on Lake Michigan, Chicago’s phenomenal restaurant scene, world-renowned museums, relatively low housing costs and Midwestern charm make this city a great place to call home. The city is also famous for its iconic architecture and beautiful skyline.

Population Notes: Chicago is far and away the largest city in the State of Illinois. According to the World Population Review, Chicago’s population has gradually fallen – however the population in its metro area has grown, showing a move towards suburban life.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Chicago is a fairly affordable $245,000.

#4 Houston, TX

Population: 2,296,224

Nickname: “Space City,” “Bayou City,” “H Town” and “The Big Heart.”

Why You Should Move: Houston’s stable job market, diverse economy and affordable neighborhoods, make this Texas city a popular choice for young professionals and families. In years past, the city was ranked number one by Forbes for paycheck worth, and was included in Forbes list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.”

Population Notes: According to World Population Review, Houston makes up the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland metropolitan area, which is the 5th largest in the United States.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Houston is $282,000.

#5 Philadelphia, PA

Population: 1,567,442

Nickname: “The City of Brotherly Love”

Why You Should Move: In addition to being one of the most historically significant cities in the country, Philadelphia offers a hip arts scene, multiple music venues and plenty of trendy restaurants. The city is also a major job hub in Pennsylvania, with several large companies located in the area, including Comcast, CIGNA, Aramark and more.

Population Notes: World Population Review reports that this estimated population of Philadelphia shows a remarkable increase since the 2010 census. The city has been growing rapidly, and is now “the second-fastest growing county in the region.”

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Philadelphia is $165,000.

SEE ALSO: 10 Pieces of Advice for Settling in a New City in 2017

#6 Phoenix, AZ

Population: 1,563,025

Why You Should Move: Surrounded by desert mountains and numerous hiking trails, Phoenix is a great place to live for those who love sunshine and the great outdoors. The city also boasts year-round sunny weather, first-class golf courses, and a low cost of living.

Nickname:  “The Valley of the Sun” and “The Salt River Valley”

Population notes: World Population Review reports that the Phoenix metropolitan area is now believed to be the 12th largest metropolitan area in the U.S.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Phoenix is $285,000.

#7 San Antonio, TX

Population: 1,469,845

Nickname: “Alamo City”

Why You Should Move: Looking to move out west? San Antonio, home of the famous Alamo, is rich in history and the wild west culture. The city offers a thriving job market, delicious Tex-Mex, a family-friendly environment, and a slew of festivals and community gatherings.

Population Notes: In 2012, San Antonio added over 25,000 new residents to its city, causing a big bump in population – according to World Population Review.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in San Antonio is $235,000.

#8 San Diego, CA

Population: 1,394,928

Nickname: “America’s Finest City”

Why You Should Move: Quickly becoming one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., San Diego is a popular city for beach enthusiasts, foodies and young professionals. The sunny city offers a slew of outdoor recreational activities and an energetic sports culture.

Population Notes: According to World Population Review, San Diego is part of the San Diego-Tijuana international metropolitan area, with 4.9 million people.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in San Diego is $649,000.

#9 Dallas, TX

Population: 1,300,092

Nickname: “The Big D”

Why You Should Move: Rated as a “beta plus” world city, Dallas is a leader in entrepreneurship, innovation and tech. The city offers a diverse population, a booming economy and a thriving job market.

Population Notes: The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area is the seventh-largest metro area in the country, according to World Population Review.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Dallas is $385,000.

#10 San Jose, CA

Population: 1,026,908

Nickname: “The Capital of Silicon Valley”

Why You Should Move: Recently listed as one of the top 10 most liveable cities in America by SmartAsset, this sunny and sprawling California city offers a solid job market and excellent schools.

Population Notes: San Jose is the largest city in Northern California, just passing the one million mark in 2014, according to World Population Review.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in San Jose is a pricey $750,000.

These other U.S. cities fall close behind in popularity. Here’s the rest of the top 50 most populous cities in the U.S.

#11 Austin, TX – 931,830

#12 Jacksonville, FL – 868,031

#13 San Francisco, CA – 864,816

#14 Indianapolis, IN – 853,173

#15 Columbus, OH – 850,106

#16 Fort Worth, TX – 833,319

#17 Charlotte, NC – 827,097

#18 Seattle, WA – 684,451

#19 Denver, CO – 682,545

#20 El Paso, TX – 681,124

#21 Detroit, MI – 677,116

#22 Washington, DC – 672,228

#23 Boston, MA – 667,137

#24 Memphis, TN – 655,770

#25 Nashville, TN – 654,610

#26 Portland, OR – 632,309

#27 Oklahoma City, OK – 631,346

#28 Las Vegas, NV – 623,747

#29 Baltimore, MD – 621,849

#30 Louisville, KY – 615,366

#31 Milwaukee, WI – 600,155

#32 Albuquerque, NM – 559,121

#33 Tucson, AZ – 531,641

#34 Fresno, CA – 520,052

#35 Sacramento, CA – 490,712

#36 Kansas City, KS – 475,378

#37 Long Beach, CA –474,140

#38 Mesa, AZ – 471,825

#39 Atlanta, GA – 463,878

#40 Colorado Springs, CO – 456,568

#41 Virginia Beach, VA –  452,745

#42 Raleigh, NC – 451,066

#43 Omaha, NE – 443,885

#44 Miami, FL – 441,003

#45 Oakland, CA – 419,267

#46 Minneapolis, MN – 410,939

#47 Tulsa, OK – 403,505

#48 Wichita, KS – 389,965

#49 New Orleans, LA – 389,617

#50 Arlington, TX– 388,125

SEE ALSO: Here are the 10 Largest States By Population

Learn more about these cities and others through our City Profile Report feature, which includes city demographics, real estate, economic makeup, income, education, and residential information. Simply enter the zip code of the city of your potential move, and get a free report at the click of a button.

5 Questions to Ask Your Ann Arbor Mover

Are you moving soon? You need to ask your potential Ann Arbor mover some essential questions before you make your move.

You need a trustworthy service with the experience to do the job right.

How can you pick the right company from all the available choices? Here are five questions to ask that will narrow down your options.

1. How Long Have You Been In Business?

Choosing an experienced moving company is essential for a smooth, efficient move.

A moving company with 10 or more years in the business is more experienced, capable, and will know how to handle any unexpected glitches. You should not base your decision only on how long the company has been in business, but years in operation is usually a good indicator of the company.

All moves are unique and special. The moving company you select should have experience in handling moves that are similar to yours.

2. Are You Licensed?

Ensure that the moving company is government licensed. Every professional interstate moving company should have a license number from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

On the other hand, local moving companies that move only within one state, or intrastate movers, are regulated by that given state and not the U.S. Transportation Department. So, if you’re dealing with a local mover, you should ask for a state license. All states are unique and have their own set of regulations and requirements for a moving license.

3. What Type of Moving Valuation Do You Offer?

Your Ann Arbor mover must be covered.

Ask your mover to review their valuation options with you. There are two kinds of common valuation offered by moving companies.

• Released-value protection: This protection is usually standard and offers minimum protection as the mover assumes no more liability than 60 cents per pound.
• Full-value protection: Under this type of protection, your mover is responsible for the replacement value of any lost or damaged goods in your whole shipment. The full cost option varies from mover to mover.

You may not need added valuation if your homeowner’s policy already covers your items during the move. Confirming this with the mover is always best.

4. Do You Own and Operate Your Own Equipment and Employ Your Own Moving Crews?

Confirm that your moving company has its own equipment and employs its own professional moving crews. If the moving company does not have its own crews and equipment, you are dealing with a moving broker. Moving brokers are essentially sales teams that book your move and then sell it to an actual moving company for a profit. Be sure you are working with an actual moving company.

5. Are Your Crews Screened and Trained?

Make sure that your potential moving company professional crew members are screened, drug tested, and trained, to ensure your move is handled professionally and efficiently. Confirm that their crews have in-depth training so that they have tools of the trade to protect your items, before entering your home.

Your Ann Arbor Mover

Whoever you end up choosing, make sure you ask them these five key questions.

Contact us at Corrigan Moving, and we will walk you through our experience, pricing, licenses and expertise on request.

You will be able to get packing and enjoy your new home in no time at all.

What You Should Be Doing 2-4 Weeks Before Moving Day

Your moving day is less than a month away and it probably feels like “crunch time” is here. There are still plenty of things to get in order, but by following the steps below you can rest easy knowing that everything is on schedule for the big day.

To help with that, we have chronicled all of the big hurdles you need to clear before the big day occurs. If you want to refer back to what you should have already handled, or look ahead, you can review our tips with following links:

• What You Should Be Doing on Moving Day
• What You Should Be Doing One Week Before Moving Day
• What You Should Be Doing 2-4 Weeks Before Moving Day
• What You Should Be Doing 4-6 Weeks Before Moving Day
• What You Should Be Doing 6-8 Weeks Before Moving Day

Before moving day arrives, consider the following during the remaining weeks before moving day:

Inform your Mover of any Changes

Some details of your moving plan can seem to change on a day-to-day basis. As your departure date approaches, remember to keep your moving company updated on these changes. This will often include items you’ve added or subtracted from your moving list or any additional stops you’d like the movers to make along the way.

Additionally, make sure your movers have your contact address and the phone numbers where you can be reached while en route to your destination.  Keeping your mover informed is the easiest way to make sure there are no unexpected surprises come move day.

Say Your Goodbyes                     

Moving is such an exciting time, but it can also bring on some melancholic feelings as you prepare to leave a place you once called home. To mitigate the difficulty of leaving behind old friends and memories, throw yourself a going-away party. You have enough things to worry about, so don’t make it too extravagant. Invite everyone who made your time in your home so special and host a small dinner or barbeque to enjoy their company and reminisce over your time together.

Prepare for the Day of the Move

It may seem like you have plenty of time, but moving day can sneak up quickly. Take care of whatever you can early, so that you don’t get overwhelmed right before your move. If necessary, make hotel reservations now, should you need to spend the night somewhere on the way. If you’re driving your car to your new place during your move, take it in for an oil change and a service check-up… nobody wants a car breakdown in the middle of such an important event!

Begin Packing

If you are planning on packing your own belongings for your move, now is a great time to get started.  Packing is a time-consuming process that should not be put off until the last minute.  Start with the non-essential items in your house and the rooms that you do not use frequently.  If you need help finding good packing materials, reach out to your mover and they should be able to point you in the right direction.  Be sure to check out Corrigan’s website for many useful packing tips as well.

Prepare Plants and Pets    

Take your pets to the veterinarian to ensure they have the required certificates and inoculations in your new state if you are moving that far. Also, be sure to finalize their plans for travel day as a whole – by deciding early on how your pets will be getting to their new home, you will avoid the stress of last-minute decisions and potential fees involved with travel.

Decide what to do with your house plants. Because moving vans change temperature so frequently and your plants will not be able to receive light or water, Corrigan cannot take responsibility for what happens to your plants during the move. Consider moving your plants in a family car, giving them to friends or donating to a local organization.

Moving day is right around the corner! Taking care of as many things as you can ahead of time will make your actual moving day much less stressful. A common mistake people who are moving make is leaving too many tasks for the last minute. By following the steps above you’ll set yourself up for a smooth and successful relocation well before moving day.