ORLANDO, Fla. – In a new report this week, moveBuddha has revealed the fastest-growing boomtowns in the U.S.
And it turns out the top-ranked spot is right here in Central Florida.
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The study looks at population growth between 2014 and 2024, along with mover interest throughout 2025, to determine which cities have become the biggest hotspots for migration.
“Over the past decade, the ‘silver tsunami’ swept retirees to warmer, Southern pastures,” the report reads. “Later, soaring insurance premiums washed those retirees back up the coast, depositing many along Carolina shores.”
But it wasn’t simply the South that captured many of the top-ranking cities this time around. Florida in particular is home to half of the top 10 contenders.
Lakeland was the top-ranked boomtown overall, seeing over 34% growth from 2014-2024.
Other Florida entries include Cape Coral (No. 4), Jacksonville (No. 7), Deltona (No. 8), and even the City Beautiful itself, Orlando (No. 5).
Below is the full top 10, along with their growth levels and why they made the list.
1: Lakeland, FL — 34.4% growth // 1.33 move-in-to-out ratio
“Those heading to Tampa or Orlando once stopped to grab a snack in Lakeland, a waypoint on the I-4 between its larger and more famous siblings. Today, the story is Lakeland itself. It turns out that plenty of “last mile” logistics firms also value the proximity of large urban centers, especially near a college, lakes, Art Deco architecture, and downtown antiques shops. Lakeland’s population growth is our highest overall, up 34.39% since 2014. And it still sees 1.33 new residents move in for every exit, suggesting that its industrial boom isn’t going to go bust."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
2: Austin, TX — 31.25% growth // 1.17 move-in-to-out ratio
“A rare large hub with sustainable growth, Austin continues to pull 1.17 new movers for every exit, steadily adding to its 31.25% growth rate over the last decade. While its pandemic boom dynamics faded, its net inbound migration remains: the Census continues to flag the Texas startup hub sometimes called “Silicon Hills” as large gaining and fast-growing."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
3: Boise City, ID — 26.85% growth // 1.41 move-in-to-out ratio
“The only non-southern top spot in the country belongs to Idaho’s outdoorsy capital, which ramped up its economic appeal as a tech ecosystem fueled by semiconductor and printer employers back in the 80s. Once it offered a small metro with real careers and talent development, the flywheel kicked in. Over the past 10 years, this “mini Austin” has grown 26.85% and keeps turning heads with a 1.41 in-to-out ratio."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
4: Cape Coral, FL — 26.70% growth // 1.16 move-in-to-out ratio
"This post-war development of single-family canalside homes has become a metro of its own, sustaining its long-running inflow, up 26.70% in the last 10 years. With the top 10’s lowest current in-to-out ratio (1.16), Cape Coral’s seaside star may be dimming, but as a retirement haven, with a stable pipeline of second homes and replenishing demand, its steady influx shouldn’t burn out anytime soon."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
5: Orlando, FL — 26.67% growth // 1.25 move-in-to-out ratio
"It’s a challenge to disentangle Orlando’s growth story from that of Disney World, which brought large-scale tourism and a massive service economy, then catalyzed decades of hotel and infrastructure buildout. Today, 1.25 newcomers move in for every exit, adding to the past decade’s already magical 26.67% population growth. Tomorrow promises growth via connection to #1 Lakeland’s logistics and distribution power, and an expanding cluster of talent, jobs, and new homes that grease the flywheel of a diverse economic engine, creating staying power beyond the lifespan of a single mouse."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
6: Raleigh-Cary, NC — 25.67% growth // 1.59 move-in-to-out ratio
"Raleigh’s rally continues. In fact, it’s 2025 move ratio is 1.59, the highest in the top 10, with 1.59 moves inbound for every resident that leaves. Like #5 Orlando and #1 Lakeland, the cluster effect of North Carolina’s Research Triangle has meant less influx friction: the 30,000+ new residents might find medical resources in Chapel Hill or Durham, high-rise offices on Raleigh, and new homes in Cary."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
7: Jacksonville, FL — 24.06% growth // 1.22 move-in-to-out ratio
"The pandemic Florida craze sent a lot of newcomers to metros all over the Sunshine State. With lower housing costs than either Orlando or Miami, Jacksonville grabbed a slice of that in-migration, adding more than 24% to its population from 2014 to 2024. Though move interest is down, with a current 1.22 in-move ratio, Florida’s largest city is stabilized by the Port of Jacksonville and decades-long defense-industry opportunities, making it a prime locale for sustainable growth even as its trendiness fades."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
8: Deltona, FL — 21.24% growth // 1.48 move-in-to-out ratio
"Up more than 21% since 2014, Deltona’s growth started with planned communities in the 1960s. Today, with an in-to-out ratio of 1.48, it’s still a housing supply machine for in-migration, capitalizing on commuters heading into Deltona, with retirees favoring out on the beaches. As another “practical” location with affordable housing and amenities within striking distance, the metro continues to find itself on the radar of movers in 2026."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
9: Charlotte, NC — 21.13% growth // 1.32 move-in-to-out ratio
"According to the U.S. Census, Charlotte is still pulling in more than 61,000 new residents per year, even after a decade-long marathon growth spurt (ranking 11th in the country). Even today, Charlotte sees 1.32 in-move inquiries for every resident seeking to leave Queen City. It all goes to show that there’s no chance in 2026 that this reigning banking hub is surrendering its crown."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"
10: Nashville, TN — 21.13% growth // 1.32 move-in-to-out ratio
“As a cultural name brand and a healthcare heavyweight, Nashville has built up a diverse economic infrastructure that charms newcomers, from upstart songwriters to tech giants — and allows job changers to stay in town, too. As a result, Nashville’s seen its population expand from ~179K to over 215K residents since 2014, a jump of more than 20%. And with a 1.32 move ratio today, Music City is still rocking that inbound demand."
moveBuddha, "The Fastest Growing Boomtowns Everyone's Still Moving to Right Now"