Two Minnesota Cities Among Best ‘Up & Coming’ Cities in U.S.

As the biggest cities in America like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix continue to see residents pack up and move out due to population increases and crowding -- wonderful medium to small sized cities and towns in the U.S. are seeing an influx of Americans seeking a better quality of life.

As these cities bigger become increasingly crowded and ridiculously expensive, Americans are rethinking what makes a great place to live.

The proof is the pudding that the team at RealEstateWitch.com has put out there that highlights the best up and coming cities and towns in America.

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Many of America's smaller cities may have been passed by previously as too quiet, or slow moving -- but that sentiment is being replaced with a desire for more affordable living, leading to new businesses, jobs, and cultural opportunities.

The results from RealEstateWitch's study shows that the overall top-five up and coming cities in America include, (1) Madison, Wisconsin, (2) Fargo, North Dakota, (3) Lincoln, Nebraska, (4) Provo, Utah, (5) New Haven, Connecticut.

Breaking things down a bit further, the study breaks thins down by community size.

Up-and-Coming Small American Cities

1. Iowa City, Iowa
2. Burlington, Vermont
3. Logan, Utah
4. State College, Pennsylvania
5. Midland, Texas
6. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
7. Idaho Falls, Idaho
8. Charlottesville, Virginia
9. Champaign, Illinois
10. La Crosse, Wisconsin
11. Northampton, Massachusetts
12. Columbia, Missouri
13. Athens, Georgia
14. Rochester, Minnesota
15. Blacksburg, Virginia

Up-and-Coming Small American Towns

1. Ames, Iowa
2. Ithaca, New York
3. Grand Forks, North Dakota
4. Lawrence, Kansas
5. Missoula, Montana
6. Bozeman, Montana
7. Manhattan, Kansas
8. Mankato, Minnesota
9. Flagstaff, Arizona
10. Morgantown, West Virginia

I can't help but notice if most if not all of the cities on this list are college towns. I've lived in several, and most if these places would not have had as much going on with out the university life.

Kudos to Rochester and Mankato for their place on the 2024-2025 list.