The Best Small Cities in the US to Move to in 2024
If you watch the news at all, you’re probably aware of several big moving trends over the past few years. One of these trends—perhaps the most well-known—has been the exodus of cash-strapped Americans from California and New York to southern states like Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas. Another interesting trend has been the increasing number of Americans who are choosing to retire overseas—sometimes to countries as far away as Portugal and Vietnam, sometimes to destinations much closer to home, like Mexico.
But one of the more underreported trends in recent years has been the movement of millions of Americans out of the country’s major cities and into much smaller cities and—increasingly—large and small towns. Much of this has been driven by the rising cost of living; indeed, cost has been a crucial element of the decision-making process for Americans who have moved recently or are thinking about moving.
So below we offer an overview of eight cities that are among the very best small cities in the US, and which are currently drawing significant interest from restless urbanites all across the United States. This is hardly a complete list. After all, the US boasts an incredible number of small cities and towns that offer fantastic quality of life, affordability, abundant employment and recreational opportunities, and all of the other things that make life worth living. Nevertheless, these eight—presented here in no particular order—are popping up in a ton of moving-related blogs, articles, and even podcasts, so we thought we’d have a look and see if the reality matches the hype.
Here we go!
Duluth, Minnesota
Downtown Dulut
Best features: Mild temps on the water, abundant outdoor activities, and an impressive beer scene.
Duluth isn’t a big place, and it’s best known outside the region as an industrial port on the Great Lakes that specializes in the shipment of ore. Slowly but surely, however, Duluth is becoming known as a premier destination for those seeking an escape from dense urban life and relief from rising temperatures. Summers tend to be temperate in Duluth thanks largely to the city’s setting alongside Lake Superior. Duluth is known for local hills that challenge hikers, cyclists, runners, and others, and a seemingly endless supply of public land around the city that translates into never-ending outdoor recreational options for families and kids, including, swimming, ice skating, fishing, kayaking and whitewater rafting.
The city’s beverage scene—beer especially—is developing a national and even global reputation. Lakeside attractions are abundant and a rejuvenated, very walkable downtown area, where you can buy many different handmade goods, is incredibly popular. Duluth is “slow” in the best possible way, conveying a deep sense of serenity and reminding us that life used to be lived at a different pace. Duluthians (as they’re known) welcome new residents who want to join them in a community sauna, which they typically follow with a quick dip in the refreshing waters of Amity Creek.
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The education system in Duluth, like Minnesota proper, ranks among the very best in the nation. The property market is considered somewhat competitive, but happily, homes remain remarkably affordable. For example, the median sale price of a home in Duluth as of July 2024 was a mere $300,121, up 11.4 percent over last year. The median sale price per square foot in Duluth is $192. The city’s economy is strong and growing and is notable for its robust manufacturing sector, which currently produces everything from cranes and medical equipment to personal aircraft.
Health care, higher education, retail, and business services are major employers, and the tech sector is growing rapidly as well. There’s no shortage of opportunity in Duluth, and it’s an ideal destination for young families in search of a safe, prosperous, and cost-effective place to live. All of that said, it’s important to understand the actual price of homes in Duluth, by way of first-person research; too often, prospective movers rely solely on rough estimates from third parties that end up fostering unrealistic expectations. Always exercise caution.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Downtown Knoxville
Best features: Laid back, grounded vibe, fantastic live music scene, excellent outdoor recreational opportunities.
When people think of Knoxville, most probably think of the University of Tennessee and the tidal wave of fans—clad in orange and white—who appear during the university’s sporting events. Others—a bit older—may remember Knoxville (current population roughly 200,000) as the site of the 1982 World’s Fair, which left behind the quirky but impressive glass tower that continues to shape the city skyline. Still, others may know that Knoxville, located in eastern Tennessee, boasts an impressive and ever-evolving music scene with ambitions, someday, of challenging Nashville and Memphis. Live bands are everywhere. Knoxville is also known for its classic theaters, its delicious food and drink, and the 1500-acre Urban Wilderness Gateway Park, which offers residents and visitors alike a plethora of recreational opportunities. A recently renovated downtown core shouldn’t be missed.
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Without question, one of the chief attractions of Knoxville is its low cost of living, bolstered by a robust job market, ceaseless Southern charm, a deep sense of community, and—as noted—incredible natural beauty.
The Knoxville housing market is somewhat competitive. As of June 2024, the median sale price of a home in Knoxville was $335,000, up 4.6 percent over last year. The median sale price per square foot is $223, up 5.2 percent over 2023. Most of those relocating to Knoxville are arriving from California, Washington State, Illinois, and major cities on the East Coast. The school system is highly rated; the local economy, meanwhile, is vibrant, and jobs are available in multiple sectors ranging from government and professional services to education, health care, and retail. The city’s manufacturing sector is also burgeoning. All available data indicate clearly that Knoxville is a city on the way and an ideal, cost-effective location for those seeking to relocate from the country’s biggest and most expensive urban centers.
Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Best features: Musical heritage, art & architecture, music scene.
Macon, Georgia is another small city—just over 153,000 people—that’s been attracting transplants from every corner of the country in recent years. With a near-endless number of amazing museums and a revitalized recording studio (Capricorn Sound Studios) that showcases Macon’s musical history, the city ranks highly when it comes to cultural attractions and local institutions that long-time residents of Macon are intent on preserving—and improving.
Macon’s rejuvenated downtown has made space for a new and diverse collection of restaurants and bars as well as a boutique hotel. The city is working actively to transform an ancient Native American historical site into Georgia’s first US National Park and Preserve. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will co-manage the site. A personal move coordinator can help new residents plan their move to Macon by providing personalized assistance, tips, tools, and resources.
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The property market in Macon is somewhat competitive, with the median home price in June 2024 sitting at roughly $180,000, which is remarkable value for money. The local economy is dominated by aerospace, health care, advanced manufacturing, food processing, professional services, and warehouse and distribution industries. Large private-sector employers include Mercer University, GEICO, YKK USA, and Norfolk Southern Railway’s Brosnan Yard. Employment opportunities abound. Quality of education, however, depends very much on the provider. A number of public schools significantly underperform the national average, but private schools tend to be extremely high-performing. Macon is a friendly and welcoming city that’s become increasingly popular with young families in search of affordable housing and a lower cost of living overall.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona
Best features: Stargazing, outdoor recreation, unforgettable scenery, retro sensibilities.
Flagstaff (click here and here) has long been known as a favorite destination for snowbirds in search of sunny days and long, drawn-out afternoons on the golf course, but in recent years this high-elevation city has emerged as one of the country’s very best places to stargaze, thanks largely to Flagstaff’s isolation and low light pollution policies the city enforces. In addition to serving as a gateway to the wonders of the universe, Flagstaff delivers some truly mind-blowing landscapes, including the San Francisco Peaks.
The city is also renowned for its numerous national monuments and the Lowell Observatory. Flagstaff gives residents and visitors alike the chance to explore the rich history of the local Native American peoples, particularly the Navajo and Hopi. The city is home to a 1.8 million acre pine forest, Humphreys Peak—almost 7,000 feet in height—and Arizona’s largest ski resort (yes, a ski resort – in the desert). All outdoor pursuits, but trail hiking in particular, are enormously popular. Many contend that the surrounding desert landscape has underutilized healing powers.
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For those in search of Americana, cacti, dusty highways, and a certain retro aesthetic, Flagstaff has all of this in spades. Route 66 runs through the area, and many hotels maintain a 1950s and 1960s vibe. Flagstaff’s downtown core has experienced a massive revitalization in recent years, and restaurants, bars, and hotels actively cater to tourists’ interest in the history of the American Southwest. Obtaining an online moving quote is an easy first step for those considering a move to Flagstaff.
Flagstaff’s housing market is hot. Interstate movers are busy all over town and it seems like walk-throughs are happening on every street. Most homes aren’t on the market for more than a couple of weeks. The median home sale price in June 2024 was $695,000, up roughly 7 percent from a year ago. The local job market is strong, though it’s down a bit from last year. Industries like health care, education, and tourism continue to drive growth, and there are abundant opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. Demand for skilled professionals continues to grow rapidly, and schools in the area have an excellent reputation.
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo (“SLO”), California
Best features: Breathtaking scenery, strong retro aesthetic, abundance of outdoor activities, proximity to wine country.
Let’s be honest, if you’re in search of the version of California you’ve picked up from a million films and television programs—a California that’s mellow, welcoming, and affordable, you haven’t got a chance of finding that in the Bay Area or anywhere south of Los Angeles. It’s gone forever, due in part to brutal traffic, ruinously high property prices, NIMBY attitudes, and the ever-increasing cost of living. There aren’t many places that retain the chill sensibilities of mid-20th century California in 2024, but one of them, indisputably, is San Luis Obispo, the largest city in San Luis Obispo County, known as “SLO” to the locals.
Positioned roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, SLO is, well, slow! The name speaks for itself. Prices are high, but hardly outrageous by California standards, and it’s one of the few cities in the state that isn’t losing people to places like Texas, Arizona, and Florida. In fact, SLO is gaining new residents, in droves, from all over the country.
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Why? Well, in SLO, you can enjoy everything the city has to offer, from wine tours and hiking trails to lovely restaurants, beach visits, and all-day shopping excursions without having to navigate through a virtual tidal wave of humanity. There’s space for everyone. When requesting a moving quote for a move to San Luis Obispo, be sure to provide the destination zip code to get an accurate estimate.
Interestingly, SLO isn’t right on the Pacific; it’s about a dozen miles inland, and this is probably the thing that keeps it a little bit off the beaten path. The spectacular natural scenery, with the beach only a short drive away, helps to ensure that SLO is consistently regarded as one of California’s finest (albeit slightly underrated) urban centers. Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay, right next door, are spectacular in their own right and help make up for the fact that SLO isn’t right on the water.
Given that SLO is in California, it should come as no surprise to anyone that property prices in the city are slightly…elevated. As of June 2024, the median sale price of a home in San Luis Obispo was $1,000,000. That may seem outrageous to anyone who happens to live in, say, South Dakota or Missouri, but given property prices further north and further south (and the cost of living overall), it’s not too bad.
SLO is home to California Polytechnic State University (“Cal Poly”) and the education system across the city as a whole is excellent. The job market, fairly robust, is centered around education, health care, and government employment. Ultimately, many are finding that SLO, though expensive, is worth the outlay, given everything it offers. The California Dream, though on life support across much of the state, is managing to maintain itself in this quiet section of the Central Coast.
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Best features: Outdoor activities, endless sandy white beaches, fabulous shopping, and first-class eateries.
It’s safe to say that a majority of visitors to Fort Myers come for the deep-sea fishing, the fabulous golf courses, the white sandy beaches, and the majestic islands that run along the Gulf Coast. In recent years, the city’s downtown core, on the water, has been completely revitalized, to the point that it now features a plethora of new restaurants, clubs, bars, shops, and galleries. Fort Myers has grown at an incredible rate in recent years, and the population now sits at just under 100,000. The city has long been considered the “gateway” to southwest Florida.
Fort Myers has benefited enormously from Florida’s general population increase over the past decade or so, and like Florida proper, it’s drawing new residents from major cities all along the East Coast and in the Midwest. Even so, Fort Myers remains a buyer’s market. The median price of a home is around $390,000, which is actually down 8 percent or so from 2023. Schools in Fort Myers (i.e., within the Lee County School District) are excellent, as is the economy.
Know More Here: Best Reasons to Move to Florida
Though the job market is dominated by government, health care, retail, and hospitality, companies like Hertz, Gartner, and Chico’s also have offices in Fort Myers, and unemployment is well below the national average. Like Duluth, Knoxville, and other small cities across the US, Fort Myers offers an elevated quality of life at rates far below what you’d have to pay in places like New York, Boston, Chicago, LA, and, of course, Miami. In Fort Myers, in 2024, the American Dream is alive and well, and residents are eager to share what they have with newer arrivals. Instant ballpark moving quotes can provide a preliminary estimate of moving costs to Fort Myers, helping potential residents plan their relocation.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Best features: Art & architecture, design, food-and-drinks scene.
Why is Providence so popular with those leaving the country’s increasingly expensive urban centers? In many respects, the answer is simple: Providence blends the goodwill of a small town with the culture and sophistication of the big city. The city has utterly transformed itself over the past 50 years and is currently home to a thriving arts scene, diverse and exciting neighborhoods, world-class hotels, unforgettable restaurants and watering holes, and lots of things to do.
Providence is renowned for its impressive downtown waterfront, which exists because the city made a concerted effort to divert local rivers and roads and improve the look of the city while preserving some of its strongest historical features. Thanks to the creative types behind the WaterFire art installation, the city’s downtown rivers have been bathed in firelight for decades. Providence hosts numerous public art installations and is also home to the venerated Rhode Island School of Design and its museum. The city’s architecture is inspired—and extremely diverse—while its restaurant scene is notable for first-class seafood and Italian fare. But with food and drink, too, there’s no shortage of variety. There are restaurants to satisfy every imaginable taste.
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Providence is a decidedly hot property market, and the city is currently attracting new residents from the populations of California, Oregon, Washington State, and all of the major cities on the East Coast. Retirees are especially fond of Providence. The median home sale price in Providence was $540,000 in June 2024, up just over 24 percent from the year before—a remarkable increase. The school system in Providence is highly rated, while the local economy is centered around trade, transportation, utilities, and educational and health services. Given that Providence is Rhode Island’s capital city, the job market is dominated by more than 70,000 government positions. The quality of life in Providence is extremely high and shows every sign of remaining so for the foreseeable future. Providence is a lovely, tranquil, and affordable city that has a tremendous amount to offer new residents, regardless of age.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Best features: Cultural attractions, food options, fascinating neighborhoods with intriguing historical backstories
Richmond, Virginia, known as “RVA” to the local population, is an underrated gem that has only recently begun attracting the level of attention it truly deserves. Located a couple of hours south of Washington, DC, Richmond is replete with first-class museums, memorable eateries, and many other attractions, with Southern charm topping the list. Though Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy for most of the Civil War (until the Confederate government was forced to abandon it as Union forces drew close), it has made a concerted effort to grapple with its own complicated history, and that’s clear in the way it now presents itself.
Today, Richmond is especially well-known for its varied restaurants, the quality of its local chefs, its 30-plus breweries, and its proximity to wine country. Festivals are a major part of life in Richmond and occur throughout the year. The Richmond Folk Festival, in the fall, is especially popular. Instant ballpark quotes can provide a preliminary estimate of moving costs to Richmond, helping potential residents plan their move.
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Richmond has experienced a major influx of new residents over the past few years, the bulk of whom are arriving from California, Washington State, and major cities along the East Coast, including New York. The median sale price of a home in the city is roughly $422,000 as of June 2024, and the market is increasingly competitive, having risen roughly 7 percent since last year. The schools in the city have an excellent reputation and employment prospects are excellent, so much so that the Wall Street Journal ranks Richmond the 11th-hottest job market in the country. Tech and finance lead the way. The overall cost of living is four points below the national average.
International Van Lines (IVL):
The World’s Premier Long-Distance and International Moving Company
International Van Lines (IVL) is the world’s No. 1 moving company, regardless of whether you’re moving locally, regionally, or internationally. IVL has the personnel, the experience, and the infrastructure that no other moving company can match. In fact, if you request it, IVL can set you up with a personal move coordinator to help guide you through the moving process, providing personalized assistance, tips, tools, and resources to help you effectively plan your move and let you know what to expect on a moving day.
Ultimately, your move—whether to the other side of town or the other side of the world—is guaranteed to be a smooth, predictable, and worry-free experience.
Based in Coral Springs, Florida, but now serving over 180 countries worldwide, IVL’s reputation for excellence continues to grow. Over the past 25 years, we’ve mastered every aspect of full-service door-to-door relocation—so much so that today’s moving experience is infinitely superior to what we were able to offer our customers two or three decades ago.
IVL relies on the following transport methods: air freight, ocean freight, and our enormous and growing fleet of high-end moving vans. Long-distance interstate moves are typically accomplished using these vans.
We also offer a wide variety of storage options (see below), so if you don’t plan to move your household items into your new residence immediately, we’ve still got you covered.
Wherever you may be headed, IVL will do everything possible to ensure that your belongings arrive in a timely manner, on budget, and in pristine condition. That’s a promise.
Click Here for Your Free Long-Distance Moving Quote Today!
IVL founder and CEO Josh Morales
To get a free moving quote online, and for easy access to all the moving info you’ll ever need, simply fill out the form on our website or give us a call at (877) 647-1336. Our team is ready to assist you with all your moving needs. Obtaining an online moving quote from IVL is quick and easy. You’ll receive a customized quote that caters to your specific moving requirements. Obtaining an official moving quote requires more extensive contact with our team, but generally speaking, our online moving quotes are extremely accurate.
IVL’s Services in Detail
IVL’s domestic and international moving services are comprehensive and door-to-door. Here’s a brief overview of what we offer:
- Comprehensive packing and unpacking services.
- Furniture assembly and disassembly.
- Personalized services for high-value and/or fragile items, including art and antiques.
- Ocean and/or air freight, in addition to the use of our fleet of premier moving vans to complete most interstate moves or moves to Mexico or Canada.
- Debris pickup.
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Vehicle transport, domestic or international.
- Varied storage services (short-term, long-term, standard, climate-controlled).
- Full customs clearance management (in the case of international moves).
- Limited liability insurance provides basic moving protection; full value protection is available as an add-on to guard against unforeseen loss.
- Full corporate and military relocation services.
- Live chat and customer service 24/7
- Easy shipment tracking.
How Much Does IVL Charge?
IVL team members at company HQ in Coral Springs, FL
Take a few minutes to check out our online moving cost calculator to get a better feel for what your move is likely to cost. When requesting a moving quote from IVL, be sure to provide the move details and the destination zip code to ensure the most accurate estimate possible.
Also feel free to contact IVL directly for a moving estimate, an instant ballpark quote, or a more accurate moving quote based on your specific circumstances and needs. Understanding the actual cost of moving is crucial to avoiding confusion and disappointment. In some instances, rough estimates may not reflect the final bill you receive. Certain factors, like rapidly shifting fuel costs, can influence fees significantly. At the same time, certain seasons—and certain timeframes and moving dates—can be more costly than others.
Regardless of the details, however, IVL is fully transparent with you, the customer. Nothing that’s important is ever hidden or minimized.
For Your Free Domestic or International Moving Quote, Click Here!
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?
An IVL team member at work!
To promote the speed and efficiency of your move, IVL, like many movers, may choose to partner with one or more local moving companies at certain points of the moving process—the final stages in particular.
There is also a 25 percent deposit required to reserve a moving date. This is refundable in the event of cancellation. The balance is then split into two separate payments: 50 percent on moving day, and the remainder upon delivery. The deposit can be made using a credit card, check, or ACH.
Given the complex logistical arrangements that moving overseas requires, deposits collected for any international move are not refundable.
Is IVL Fully Licensed?
Yes. Per federal requirements, IVL is licensed by DOT, FMC and AMSA (the latter having been recently absorbed by ATA).
Contact IVL Today. For Your Free Online Moving Quote, Click Here!
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