Movin’ on up.
For many Americans, their goal is to eventually leave the hustle and bustle of a city to buy a home in a quiet suburban neighborhood. While all of this sounds fine and dandy — the ridiculously fickle housing market is forcing many to reevaluate where their life will settle.
So if you’re open to the idea of potentially moving states, GOBankingRates’ research team just revealed the top fastest-growing suburban neighborhoods in the US — and how much money people need to make annually to afford a home there.
Woodbridge, Virginia ranked No. 1 on the list. According to the report, the town’s population soared from about 4,000 residents to 43,000 over the course of five years between 2018 and 2023.
On average, residents here need about $124,161 to not live paycheck to paycheck, according to the report.
“There are a multitude of reasons for this population boom, but among them is the fact that many DC-area residents left the city during the pandemic in search of less-populated, nearby suburbs, such as Woodbridge,” GOBankingRates researcher CJ Williamson Southern Living.
“Our data also shows Woodbridge has a relatively strong livability score (71 out of 100) and a relatively affordable home median price for the DC area, at roughly $500,000 as of February 2025, which may also explain its growing popularity,” he told the outlet.
Texas dominated the top three spots on the list. Fulshear, Texas came in at second place with a 236.7% increase in population — and a $119,909 salary is needed to afford a house here.
Celina and Princeton were two other Texas towns in the top three that saw an over 100% increase in residents moving here. The salary range to live here is between $95,000 and $137,000.
Some of the neighborhoods that didn’t make the top 10 — but still made the list include Saint Cloud, Florida, where a resident needs at least $108,487 to live comfortably.
Hamtramck, Michigan which is more affordable, considering if someone wants to buy a home there, they’ll need an income of $76,618.
At least $120,895 is needed annually to afford Wake Forest, North Carolina.
For any New Yorkers who want to make a life change — Elkridge, Maryland isn’t too far, and a salary of about $119,076 will make living there comfortable.
Out west — Castle Rock, Colorado, Happy Valley, Oregon and Avon, Indiana are all potential options. Salary ranges needed to afford a home in those states have to be between $85,000 and $150,000.
Down south, Kyle and Katy are two Texas areas that also made the list. A salary in the $90,000 range will get you a nice home there.
The top 10 fastest-growing suburbs and the average salary needed to live there
1. Woodbridge, Virginia (887.3%, $124,161)
2. Fulshear, Texas (236.7%, $199,909)
3. Celina, Texas (190.2%, $137,965)
4. Princeton, Texas (114.7%, $95,375)
5. Queen Creek, Arizona (84%, $137,492)
6. Prosper, Texas (81%, $160,327)
7. Fort Mill, South Carolina (77.6%, $121,572)
8. Fate, Texas (77.3%, $97,589)
9. Anna, Texas (70.9%, $96,137)
10. Groveland, Florida (65.4%, $105,272)
If you can’t seem to part ways with your corner Bodega store or the idea of living in a quiet suburban neighborhood makes you want to hurl — recent data from Redfin revealed the US cities where homes are selling the fastest.
New York’s Rochester, Buffalo, Albany and Long Island’s Nassau County all made the top 10 list.
Read the full article here
