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

Elk Grove, CA, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Fort Wayne, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Arlington, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Chesapeake, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Killeen, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Thornton, CO, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Clarksville, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Dallas, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Des Moines, drunkest cities, happiest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Phoenix, happiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Charleston, longest-living cities, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Cape Coral, happiest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Columbus, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Grand Prairie, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Chandler, happiest cities, longest-living cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Boise, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Kansas city, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Scottsdale, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Tallahassee, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Houston, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Columbia, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Fort Worth, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Oklahoma City, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

San Antonio, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Peoria, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Lexington, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Lubbock, happiest cities, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Irving, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Fort Collins, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

port st lucie, best tax friendly cities

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

Madison, longest-living cities, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Henderson, happiest cities, drunkest cities, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Austin, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Midland, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Huntsville, happiest cities, fattest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Atlanta, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Tampa, fittest cities, drunkest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Plano, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Colorado Springs, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, happiest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Olathe, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Charlotte, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Cary, longest-living cities, fountain, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Durham, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Overland Park, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Denton, old bridge, sunset, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion
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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

Gilbert, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Raleigh, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion

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

Orlando, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

McKinney, suburban homes, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Frisco, circus, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion
Shutterstock

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

Now, check out our list of The 50 Cities with the Best Singles Scenes in America.

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Alex Daniel
A journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. Read more
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