10 Largest Cities in the U.S.

Updated December 04, 2024

Reviewed by

Empire State Building in New York City. Photo by joeyful/Mom🅠ent Open Collection/Getty Images

Some of the most populated cities in the United States are also the largest cities. Population and development often go hand in hand in the same way as population growth and the potential for future economic growth.

Our list includes other relevant facts as well, including the median age, median 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:household income, and estimated 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:home/condo values, along with the most recently 𒐪recorded populations of these 10 most populated U.S. cities. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are from 2023—the most recent census data available.

Key Takeaways

Population and development are often interrelated in the same way that population growth and economic growth are related.
New York is the most populated city in the United States.
Two cities in California made the list of the top 10 most populated cities: Los Angeles and San Diego.
Texas made the list with three cities: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Chicago, Phoenix, and Philadelphia also ranked among the 10 most populated U.S. cities.

1. New York

New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty — The Eastern US is home𒆙 to the Statue of Liberty and many other historic landmarks. Getty

Population: 8.26 million
Population Change Since 2020: -5.5%
Median Age: 38.8 years
Median Household Income: $76,577
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $743,000
Nicknames: The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, The Melting Pot
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway, Times Square

2. Los Angeles

People on the viewing bridge at Hollywood & Highland looking at the Hollywood Sign — People on the viꦆewing bridge at Hollywood & Highland looking at the Hollywood Sign.

Population: 3.82 million
Population Change Since 2020: -1.92%
Median Age: 37.2 years
Median Household Income: $79,701
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $919,900
Nicknames: L.A., La-La Land, City of Angels
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Sunset Boulevard

3. Chicago

Population: 2.66 million
Population Change Since 2020: -2.88%
Median Age: 36.4 years
Median Household Income: $74,474
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $318,900
Nicknames: The Windy City, The City of Big Shoulders, The Second City
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Millennium Park, Willis Tower, Navy Pier

334.9 Million

The estimated population of the U.S. in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

4. Houston

Plane at the Independence Plaza Presented by Boeing in the NASAs Johnson Space Center — Independence Plaza in the NASA Johnson🅷 Space Center, Houston, Texas.
Strekoza2 / Getty Images

Population: 2.30 million
Population Change Since 2020: +0.65%
Median Age: 33.9 years
Median Household Income: $60,440
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $235,000
Nicknames: Space City, H-Town, The Big Heart
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Space Center Houston, Hermann Park, Houston Zoo

5. Phoenix

Phoenix Arizona Skyline — Phoenix Arizona skyline.
dszc / Getty Images

Population: 1.65 million
Population Change Since 2020: +2.33%
Median Age: 34.9 years
Median Household Income: $79,644
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $441,300
Nicknames: Valley of the Sun, The Valley
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park, South Mountain Park/Preserve

6. Philadelphia

Independence Hall in Philadelphia — Independence Hall National Park. Rdsmith4

Population: 1.55 million
Population Change Since 2020: -3.13%
Median Age: 35.6 years
Median Household Income: $60,302
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $246,600
Nicknames: Philly, The City of Brotherly Love, The Birthplace of America, The Quaker City
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art

7. San Antonio

The Alamo Cenotaph in San Antonio, Texas, USA — the Alamo Cenotaph, also known as the Spirit of Sacrifice, is a monument in San Antonio, Texas, United States, commemorating the Battle of the Alamo, which was fought at the adjacen💮t Alamo Mission.
Creative Credit/Getty Images

Population: 1.5 million
Population Change Since 2020: +1.2%
Median Age: 33.9 years
Median Household Income: $55,084
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $167,700
Nicknames: Alamo City, Countdown City, River City
Prominent Tourist Attractions: The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Biggest City in the World

The biggest city in the world was Tokyo with a population of more than 37 million people as of 2024. Tokyo was followed by Delhi, India at 33.8 million, and Shanghai, China at 29.8 million. But Tokyo falls into second place when it comes to land area, covering 6,993 square kilometers compared to New York City's 8,683 square kilometers.

8. San Diego

People Petting Elephants at the San Diego Zoo — Petting Elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Gerald French / Getty Images

Population: 1.39 million
Population Change Since 2020: +0.15%
Median Age: 36 years
Median Household Income: $105,780
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $923,900
Nicknames: America’s Finest City, City in Motion, Silicon Beach
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum

9. Dallas

Massive art deco metal sculpture in Fair Park, Dallas, nude woman, hair flowing backwards — Reproduction of the Art Deco Cont🥃ralto Sculpture in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas. Photo —Steve Rainwater, steevithak on flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2✱.0

Population: 1.30 million
Population Change Since 2020: -0.03%
Median Age: 33.5 years
Median Household Income: $70,121
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $329,700
Nicknames: City of Hate, D-Town, The Metroplex
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Klyde Warren Park, The Dallas World Aquarium

10. Jacksonville, FL

A general view of the St. John's River and the skyline of downtown Jacksonville — Getty Images, Scott Halleran / Staff

Population: 985,837
Population Change Since 2020: +3.57%
Median Age: 36.9 years
Median Household Income: $68,069
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $312,400
Nicknames: The Bold City, Jax, Gateway to Florida
Prominent Tourist Attractions: Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, Riverside Arts Market, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Demographic Trends in U.S. Cities

There have been some changes in demographics and migration trends in and out of large American cities since 2010. COVID-19 created a work-at-home culture that has allowed city residents to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:move to the suburbs and beyond without having to commute as much.

Many tech companies kept their work-from-home policies even as vaccination and immunity decreased the severity of the pandemic. Other companies are switching to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:hybrid models for time in the office.

Large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago have seen their populations drop modestly since 2020 after more than a decade of steady population growth. Cities that did see continued growth tend to be more affordable and are located in warmer Sun Belt climates in the southern U.S. such as Phoenix, San Antonio, and Jacksonville, FL.

What Are the Largest U.S. Cities by Population?

The largest cities by population in the United States are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and Jacksonville, FL.

What Is the Largest City in the U.S.?

New York is the largest city in the U.S. by population. It had a population of 8.26 million, according to 2023 Census figures.

What Is the Biggest City in the U.S. by Area?

The largest city by area in the United States is Sitka, Alaska. The city spans 2,874 square miles of incorporated area.

How Does the Biggest City in the U.S. Compare to the Biggest City in the World?

New York is the largest city in the U.S. by population with 8.1 million residents in 2024. That's negligible compared to Tokyo, the biggest city in the world with a population of 37.1 million.

The Bottom Line

The size of a city’s population may point to its economic strength and growth but other factors can affect just how attractive it may be to potential residents. The 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:cost of living can vary drastically. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego are 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:very costly.

Our research has found that Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas are among the most affordable big cities based on median household income rela𓃲tive to the median household cost.

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

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