The 50 Best Cities for Buying a Bigger House

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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:

Elk Grove, CA, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 2

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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 .

Fort Wayne, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 3

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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 .

Arlington, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 4

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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

Chesapeake, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 5

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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 r eally go big, here are 5 Historic American Estates You Can Buy Right Now.

Killeen, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 6

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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

Thornton, CO, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 7

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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

Clarksville, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 8

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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

Dallas, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 9

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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

Des Moines, drunkest cities, happiest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 10

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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

Phoenix, happiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 11

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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

Charleston, longest-living cities, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 12

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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

Cape Coral, happiest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 13

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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

Columbus, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 14

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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

Grand Prairie, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 15

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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

Chandler, happiest cities, longest-living cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 16

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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

Boise, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 17

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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

Kansas city, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 18

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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

Scottsdale, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 19

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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

Tallahassee, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 20

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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

Houston, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 21

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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

Columbia, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 22

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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

Fort Worth, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 23

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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

Oklahoma City, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 24

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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

San Antonio, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 25

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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

Peoria, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 26

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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

Lexington, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 27

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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

Lubbock, happiest cities, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 28

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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

Irving, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 29

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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

Fort Collins, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 30

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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

port st lucie, best tax friendly cities - 31

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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

Madison, longest-living cities, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 32

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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

Henderson, happiest cities, drunkest cities, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 33

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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

Austin, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 34

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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

Midland, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 35

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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

Huntsville, happiest cities, fattest cities, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 36

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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

Atlanta, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 37

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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

Tampa, fittest cities, drunkest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 38

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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

Plano, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 39

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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

Colorado Springs, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, happiest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 40

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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

Olathe, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 41

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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

Charlotte, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 42

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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

Cary, longest-living cities, fountain, singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 43

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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

Durham, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 44

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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

Overland Park, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 45

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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

Denton, old bridge, sunset, longest-living cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 46

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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

Gilbert, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 47

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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

Raleigh, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion - 48

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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

Orlando, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 49

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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

McKinney, suburban homes, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 50

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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

Frisco, circus, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion - 51

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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 .