Top 10 Most Developed Cities in the U.S

Are you thinking of moving to another city? Perhaps you're even thinking of starting a business in another city? (For more, see: 8 Tips For Starting Your Own Business.) Or maybe you just want to know a few details prior to vacationing in a city you've not visited before? (For more, see: Top 9 Vacation Destinations For Wall Street Geeks.) Possibility, you’re simply eager to know more information in general?

Whatever the case may be, below you will find a list of the 10 Most Developed Cities in the United States. This doesn’t mean the most skyscrapers; it means the most people. And, yes, population and development often go hand-in-hand. Population growth and the potential for future economic growth also go hand-in-hand. Population growth (or declines) since 2000 have been included. Also included for each city are median age, median household income, and estimated home/condo values. This makes it easy to see what cities are the most and least affordable. (For related reading, see: Know Cost of Living Before Taking a Relocation Package.)

All stats below courtesy of City-Data.com. All population change numbers are positive unless in parenthesis, which indicates a population decline.

Population: 8,213,839

Population Change Since 2000: 5.0%

Median Age: 35.5  

Median Household Income: $50,895

Median House/Condo Value: $478,400

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $280,900

Best Known For: Finance, tourism, culture

(For more, see How Expensive Is New York City – Really?)

Population: 3,794,640

Population Change Since 2000: 5.1%

Median Age: 34.1

Median Household Income: $46,803

Median House/Condo Value: $421,700

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $349,400

Best Known For: Beverly Hills, Hollywood, beaches, traffic

(For related reading, see: The Most Expensive American Cities.)

Population: 2,824,584

Population Change Since 2000: -6.1%

Median Age: 33.1

Median Household Income: $45,214

Median House/Condo Value: $211,700

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $170,600

Best Known For: Cleanliness, tourism, great food

(For more, see: What $200,000 Will Buy in the Chicago Real Estate Market.)

Population: 2,076,189

Population Change Since 2000: 12.4%

Median Age: 32.3

Median Household Income: $42,847

Median House/Condo Value: $124,600

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $129,200

Best Known For: Value, going green, parks

(For related reading, see: The Most Affordable Cities to Live In.)

Population: 1,517,628

Population Change Since 2000: 2.3%

Median Age: 33.5

Median Household Income: $35,386

Median House/Condo Value: $142,300

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $163,800

Best Known For: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Rocky statue, cheesesteaks

​(For related reading, see: 5 Most Expensive Cities in the U.S. for Car Insurance.)

Population: 1,476,331

Population Change Since 2000: 14.6%

Median Age: 32.2

Median Household Income: $44,153

Median House/Condo Value: $140,500

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $151,500

Best Known For: Golf, food, shopping, hiking

(For more, see: What $250,000 Will Buy In The Phoenix Real Estate Market.)

Population: 1,284,347

Population Change Since 2000: 10.8%

Median Age: 33.7

Median Household Income: $62,395

Median House/Condo Value: $430,100

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $349,400

Best Known For: Beaches, tourism, consistently beautiful weather

(For related reading see: 10 Cities Where Renting Rules.)

Population: 1,258,733

Population Change Since 2000: 23.1%

Median Age: 32.7

Median Household Income: $45,424

Median House/Condo Value: $112,300

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $129,200

Best Known For: The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Spurs

(For related reading, see: 5 U.S. Cities With The Most Credit Card Debt.)

Population: 1,246,185

Population Change Since 2000: 5.8%

Median Age: 31.8

Median Household Income: $41,354

Median House/Condo Value: $133,200

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $129,200

Best Known For: 19 Unique Districts, White Rock Lake, large homes at affordable prices, young population

(For related reading, see: 5 States Where You Can Stretch Your Dollar the Furthest.)

Population: 921,147

Population Change Since 2000: -27.6%

Median Age: 34.7

Median Household Income: $23,600

Median House/Condo Value: $39,100

Statewide Median House/Condo Value: $115,700

Best Known For: Motown, auto industry, highest crime rate of any big city in U.S.

(For related reading, see: Top 6 Scariest Neighborhoods for Homebuyers.)

New York and Los Angeles are crowded and expensive. Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and San Antonio are the most affordable big cities based on median household income relative to median household/condo cost. Real estate bargains can be had in Detroit ... for very good reason. (For related reading, see: Top U.S. Cities for 2015 College Graduates.)