The 50 Best Cities for Buying a Bigger House
WHERE IN THE U.S. TO GO BIG. (REALLY BIG.)
Congrats, baller. You're officially ready to dip into your nest egg and spread those wings and upgrade your home. Maybe you're family has grown and you need at least four bedrooms. Maybe you're looking for a great, long-term investment. Or maybe you're just looking for a bigger pad to call home. Whatever the case, the question remains: What are the most affordable places in America to go big?
Now, there are several things to consider when buying a big house (for our purposes, we're defining a big house as four bedrooms or bigger). First and foremost: the cost and location. If you're looking for thousands upon thousands of square feet in a really vibrant area, you'll need some serious Jeff Bezos money. Conversely, if you stray too far into more remote locales where real estate values plummet, you're making a riskier bet on the size of your return on investment down the road.
That's why we're defining the "best" places in America to buy a big house as the ones that fall squarely in the middle. Of the 200 largest cities in America, here are the ones where 4-bedroom houses (and bigger) can be found at more affordable prices and where the relevant economic indicators—from unemployment figures to property taxes to population growth—suggest you're making a great bet on a city that's really on the rise. So read on, and best of luck! And if you're thinking about moving, don't miss our list of The 100 Happiest Cities in America.
A brief snapshot of our criteria:
Three-Year Population Growth Rate (30%) – SOURCE: U.S. Census
Niche Overall Grade: (30%) – SOURCE: Niche neighborhood data analysts
County Unemployment Rate: (10%) – SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: (20%) – SOURCE: Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report
County Property Tax: (10%) – SOURCE: SmartAsset real estate data analysts
50
Elk Grove, CA
Population: 169,743
Population Growth Rate: 5.71%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 5.00%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $396,829
County Property Tax: 0.95%
Mansion Score: 76.20
Now, since mansions do cost quite a bit of money, here are The 25 Best Wealth-Building Tips Ever.
49
Fort Wayne, IN
Population: 264,488
Population Growth Rate: 1.96%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 2.90%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $171,506
County Property Tax: 0.92%
Mansion Score: 76.89
Speaking of Fort Wayne, it's also one of The 100 Drunkest Cities in America.
48
Arlington, TX
Population: 392,772
Population Growth Rate: 3.54%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 4.00%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $205,372
County Property Tax: 2.32%
Mansion Score: 77.29
47
Chesapeake, VA
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Population: 237,940
Population Growth Rate: 3.17%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $287,966
County Property Tax: 0.97%
Mansion Score: 77.72
And if you're looking to really go big, here are 5 Historic American Estates You Can Buy Right Now.
46
Killeen, TX
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Population: 143,400
Population Growth Rate: 4.78%
Niche Grade: B+
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $157,650
County Property Tax: 1.87%
Mansion Score: 78.00
45
Thornton, CO
Population: 136,703
Population Growth Rate: 7.04%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 2.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $363,057
County Property Tax: 0.77%
Mansion Score: 78.29
44
Clarksville, TN
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Population: 150,287
Population Growth Rate: 5.36%
Niche Grade: B+
Unemployment Rate: 4.60%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $186,301
County Property Tax: 0.87%
Mansion Score: 78.34
43
Dallas, TX
Population: 1,317,929
Population Growth Rate: 4.76%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $240,689
County Property Tax: 2.17%
Mansion Score: 78.61
42
Des Moines, IA
Population: 215,472
Population Growth Rate: 1.97%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 3.10%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $138,304
County Property Tax: 1.79%
Mansion Score: 79.17
41
Phoenix, AZ
Population: 1,615,017
Population Growth Rate: 5.86%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $376,000
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 79.55
40
Charleston, SC
Population: 134,385
Population Growth Rate: 5.44%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 3.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $369,031
County Property Tax: 0.52%
Mansion Score: 79.84
39
Cape Coral, FL
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Population: 179,804
Population Growth Rate: 8.90%
Niche Grade: B+
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $312,975
County Property Tax: 1.15%
Mansion Score: 79.97
38
Columbus, OH
Population: 860,090
Population Growth Rate: 4.27%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 4.40%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $206,282
County Property Tax: 2.03%
Mansion Score: 80.00
37
Grand Prairie, TX
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Population: 190,682
Population Growth Rate: 3.93%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $187,400
County Property Tax: 2.17%
Mansion Score: 80.63
36
Chandler, AZ
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Population: 247,477
Population Growth Rate: 3.00%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $337,985
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 80.90
35
Boise, ID
Population: 223,154
Population Growth Rate: 3.16%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 2.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $273,457
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 81.00
34
Kansas City, MO
Population: 481,420
Population Growth Rate: 3.06%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.30%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $239,148
County Property Tax: 1.39%
Mansion Score: 81.65
33
Scottsdale, AZ
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Population: 246,645
Population Growth Rate: 8.05%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $530,372
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 81.85
32
Tallahassee, FL
Population: 190,894
Population Growth Rate: 2.39%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $213,991
County Property Tax: 0.98%
Mansion Score: 81.99
31
Houston, TX
Population: 2,303,482
Population Growth Rate: 4.49%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 5.30%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $274,061
County Property Tax: 2.26%
Mansion Score: 82.01
30
Columbia, SC
Population: 134,309
Population Growth Rate: 1.90%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $192,187
County Property Tax: 0.79%
Mansion Score: 82.39
29
Fort Worth, TX
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Population: 854,113
Population Growth Rate: 7.30%
Niche Grade: B+
Unemployment Rate: 4.00%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $213,150
County Property Tax: 2.32%
Mansion Score: 82.58
28
Oklahoma City, OK
Population: 638,367
Population Growth Rate: 4.48%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $195,666
County Property Tax: 1.06%
Mansion Score: 82.77
27
San Antonio, TX
iStock
Population: 1,492,510
Population Growth Rate: 5.73%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 3.90%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $227,024
County Property Tax: 2.10%
Mansion Score: 84.21
26
Peoria, AZ
Population: 164,173
Population Growth Rate: 5.19%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $300,556
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 84.40
25
Lexington, KY
Population: 318,449
Population Growth Rate: 3.22%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.40%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $220,025
County Property Tax: 0.96%
Mansion Score: 84.54
24
Lubbock, TX
Population: 252,506
Population Growth Rate: 5.19%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 3.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $200,687
County Property Tax: 1.75%
Mansion Score: 85.15
23
Irving, TX
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Population: 238,289
Population Growth Rate: 4.28%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $242,446
County Property Tax: 2.17%
Mansion Score: 85.49
22
Fort Collins, CO
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Population: 164,207
Population Growth Rate: 7.32%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 2.10%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $487,850
County Property Tax: 0.66%
Mansion Score: 85.74
21
Port St. Lucie, FL
Population: 185,132
Population Growth Rate: 8.47%
Niche Grade: B+
Unemployment Rate: 5.10%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $219,015
County Property Tax: 1.52%
Mansion Score: 86.37
20
Madison, WI
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Population: 252,551
Population Growth Rate: 3.83%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 2.60%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $309,469
County Property Tax: 2.01%
Mansion Score: 87.74
19
Henderson, NV
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Population: 292,969
Population Growth Rate: 8.50%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 5.10%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $298,204
County Property Tax: 0.97%
Mansion Score: 88.11
18
Austin, TX
Population: 947,890
Population Growth Rate: 7.06%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.30%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $414,563
County Property Tax: 1.97%
Mansion Score: 89.53
17
Midland, TX
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Population: 134,610
Population Growth Rate: 8.31%
Niche Grade: A-
Unemployment Rate: 3.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $285,677
County Property Tax: 1.42%
Mansion Score: 89.75
16
Huntsville, AL
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Population: 193,079
Population Growth Rate: 3.67%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.60%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $183,998
County Property Tax: 0.46%
Mansion Score: 90.20
15
Atlanta, GA
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Population: 472,522
Population Growth Rate: 5.50%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 5.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $242,550
County Property Tax: 1.14%
Mansion Score: 90.40
14
Tampa, FL
Population: 377,165
Population Growth Rate: 6.86%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.00%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $299,579
County Property Tax: 1.15%
Mansion Score: 91.33
13
Plano, TX
Population: 286,057
Population Growth Rate: 3.95%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $262,063
County Property Tax: 2.11%
Mansion Score: 91.67
12
Colorado Springs, CO
Population: 465,101
Population Growth Rate: 5.47%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 3.10%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $252,347
County Property Tax: 0.52%
Mansion Score: 92.03
11
Olathe, KS
Population: 135,473
Population Growth Rate: 2.82%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $222,892
County Property Tax: 1.31%
Mansion Score: 92.49
10
Charlotte, NC
Population: 842,051
Population Growth Rate: 6.20%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 4.00%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $257,121
County Property Tax: 1.16%
Mansion Score: 92.92
9
Cary, NC
Population: 162,320
Population Growth Rate: 7.23%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.60%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $389,885
County Property Tax: 0.86%
Mansion Score: 93.48
8
Durham, NC
Population: 263,016
Population Growth Rate: 6.99%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 3.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $268,566
County Property Tax: 1.23%
Mansion Score: 95.08
7
Overland Park, KS
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Population: 188,966
Population Growth Rate: 4.39%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.20%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $254,296
County Property Tax: 1.39%
Mansion Score: 95.53
6
Denton, TX
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Population: 133,808
Population Growth Rate: 6.98%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 3.70%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $255,010
County Property Tax: 2.09%
Mansion Score: 95.61
5
Gilbert, AZ
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Population: 237,133
Population Growth Rate: 7.05%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 4.50%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $348,257
County Property Tax: 0.80%
Mansion Score: 96.09
4
Raleigh, NC
Population: 458,880
Population Growth Rate: 6.35%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.60%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $290,972
County Property Tax: 0.86%
Mansion Score: 99.84
3
Orlando, FL
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Population: 277,173
Population Growth Rate: 8.44%
Niche Grade: A
Unemployment Rate: 3.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $255,959
County Property Tax: 1.18%
Mansion Score: 102.18
2
McKinney, TX
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Population: 172,298
Population Growth Rate: 15.62%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.80%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $273,347
County Property Tax: 2.11%
Mansion Score: 137.23
1
Frisco, TX
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Population: 163,656
Population Growth Rate: 19.57%
Niche Grade: A+
Unemployment Rate: 3.70%
Average Price of 4BD/2BR Home: $291,808
County Property Tax: 2.09%
Mansion Score: 151.32
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