America's 10 powerhouse cities
The largest cities by population and economic muscle. Tap any city for its full moving guide.
New York
Explore the New York guide →#2Los Angeles
Explore the Los Angeles guide →#3Chicago
Explore the Chicago guide →#4Houston
Explore the Houston guide →#5Phoenix
Explore the Phoenix guide →#6Philadelphia
Explore the Philadelphia guide →#7San Antonio
Explore the San Antonio guide →#8San Diego
Explore the San Diego guide →#9Dallas
Explore the Dallas guide →#10Fort Worth
Explore the Fort Worth guide →How the powerhouses compare
Estimated metro GDP, unemployment, and the dominant industry driving each economy.
| # | City | Est. Metro GDP | Unemployment | Dominant industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $1.7 Trillion | 4.9% | Banking, Securities & Media |
| 2 | Los Angeles | ~$1.0 Trillion | 6.1% | Entertainment, Global Trade & Tourism |
| 3 | Chicago | $929 Billion | 4.7% | Finance, Logistics & Commodities |
| 4 | Houston | $758 Billion | 4.4% | Energy, Manufacturing & Aerospace |
| 5 | Phoenix | $255 Billion | 4.2% | Semiconductors, Technology & Construction |
| 6 | Philadelphia | $444 Billion | 4.5% | Healthcare, Biotech & Higher Education |
| 7 | San Antonio | $150 Billion | 4.0% | Military Defense, Cybersecurity & Tourism |
| 8 | San Diego | $245 Billion | 4.1% | Defense, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| 9 | Dallas | $744 Billion | 4.3% | Telecom, Finance & Corporate HQs |
| 10 | Fort Worth | Part of DFW total | 4.3% | Aerospace, Defense Manufacturing & Logistics |
GDP and unemployment figures are estimates and provided for comparison. Cost-of-living and housing figures on each city page are approximate (2025–2026); verify current numbers before relocating.
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