The Fastest Growing Cities are Affordable Cities

"The country’s fastest-growing cities are now those where housing is more affordable than average," explains Dewan. Moreover, "[among] people who have moved long distances, the number of those who cite housing as their primary motivation for doing so has more than doubled since 2007."

"Oklahoma City, for example, has outpaced most other cities in growth since 2011, becoming the 12th-fastest-growing city last year. It has also won over a coveted demographic, young adults age 25 to 34, going from a net loss of millennials to a net gain. Other affordable cities that have jumped in the growth rankings include several in Texas, including El Paso and San Antonio, as well as Columbus, Ohio, and Little Rock, Ark."

Dewan finds many of her primary sources from Oklahoma City, detailing the appeals of that city compared to expensive, coastal locations.