Top 5 US Cities Projected To Have the Largest Populations by 2100
For decades now, Americans have been migrating south toward the Sun Belt. They’ve also been fleeing high-tax, high-cost-of-living states on the West Coast and Northeast in favor of more affordable options in the South and Southwest.
So, which five cities will have the largest populations in 2100 if current migration trends persist? Here's where expert research sees America going as it heads into the next century.
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5. New York City
Currently the most populous city in the country, demographers over at MoveBuddha expect New York to reach a metro area population of 20,810,467 by the end of the century.
With its rich history as a cultural hub, The Big Apple won’t be irrelevant. It just won’t grow as fast as some of its southerly alternatives — alternatives with better weather, lower taxes and a more business-friendly environment.
4. Phoenix
The widespread adoption of air conditioning powered Phoenix’s explosion in population since the 1960s, and it just keeps growing. From 2024 to 2025, the Census Bureau reported Phoenix grew by 59,065 — the fourth highest gain of any city.
Indeed, MoveBuddha projected the Phoenix metro area will boast a population of 22,271,212. One advantage to living in the desert is the abundance of land to expand, after all.
Hotter temperatures might cool down the population growth, however, as no one enjoys 114-degree dog days of summer. The extent of climate change by 2100 remains a looming question mark.
3. Austin
MoveBuddha pegged Austin as the third most populous American city in 2100, based on its recent parabolic growth. They projected an impressive population of 22,293,980.
“Mid-sized Austin has grown at an explosive rate, more than 30% over the last decade,” noted Realtor Ross Hardy. “When compounding that percentage over nearly 80 years, cities like Austin track to eclipse New York and Los Angeles.”
Sure enough, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area added 53,796 residents from 2024 to 2025 — the sixth highest in total number and faster than any other major metro. Still, soaring temperatures and limited water could constrain growth over the next seven decades.
2. Houston
Already in the top five most populous cities in the U.S., Houston stands to reach 31,384,122 residents by 2100, according to MoveBuddha. It doesn’t need the same percentage growth that Austin does — it just needs continued steady growth.
Houston is growing, as well. From 2024 to 2025, it added more residents (126,720) than any other city in the country.
“Texas cities like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin have enjoyed booming populations and expansion both economically and physically,” observed real estate agent Matt Brown. Still, he cautioned migration trends change, and a lot could happen between now and 2100.
Sure, temperatures could get hotter, but the larger threat to Houston comes from increased hurricane activity from a warmer Gulf.
1. Dallas-Fort Worth
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area added the second most residents from 2024 to 2025 at 123,557, continuing a long run of growth fueled by affordable housing, low taxes and a business-friendly climate.
“Americans keep migrating to Texas for better jobs and a lower cost of living,” said real estate expert Tim Gaasch with Clever Offers.
MoveBuddha sees the metro area ranking first in the country by 2100, with 33,907,275 residents. That said, questions remain about whether Dallas’s infrastructure, housing and water supplies can expand fast enough to accommodate seven decades of similar growth.
Of course, much of the population growth in these cities comes at the expense of other cities. A study published by Nature found nearly half of U.S. cities will see a population decline by 2100. Indeed, the country at large may have a declining population, which will cause massive economic and demographic challenges for younger generations.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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