(855) 345-8289//Email US
    //Buy in Person
    filterbuy

    Shop by

    resources
    >
    across-the-nation
    >
    The Best Cities to Move to for Diversity

    The Best Cities to Move to for Diversity

    On this page

    By David Heacock

    The U.S. has long been known for its diversity relative to other nations. For hundreds of years, migration and growth have brought people of countless backgrounds to the American melting pot. And the U.S. today is only growing more diverse over time, and frequently in new ways.

    Diversity in the population can have several definitions or interpretations, which has made it complicated for demographers to measure. Individuals who identify as a racial or ethnic minority have become an increasing share of the population, but people increasingly have multiracial or multiethnic identities as well. And within different racial or ethnic categories, birthplace and migration history or ancestry can also affect how people identify and their lives day-to-day.

    At a high level, however, one simple but significant sign of the diversification of the U.S. population is the decreasing share of people who identify as white alone, not Hispanic. This category represented 59.9% of the U.S. population in 2020, down from 64% in 2010 and 78.2% in 1980. In some states, non-Hispanic Whites now represent less than half of the population. Demographers anticipate that the U.S. will become “majority-minority” sometime in the 2040s

    Image of a chart showing the increase in the minority population share, which nearly doubled from 1980 to 2020.

    Despite America’s rapidly diversifying population, reducing economic inequality across demographic groups remains a key issue among policymakers. People identifying as Black and American Indian have historically fared worse. Black American households have the lowest median income of any group at $43,674, and American Indian households are second-lowest at $45,877. With regards to poverty, American Indians lead all groups with a poverty rate of 24.1%, followed by Black Americans at 22.1%. In contrast, Asian Americans tend to fare better economically than members of other racial and ethnic minority groups, with a median household income of $91,775 (highest among all groups, including Whites) and a poverty rate of 10.6%.

    Image comparing median household income and poverty rates for different U.S. minority populations, highlighting higher poverty rates among certain groups.

    Because of this, locations with very high or low levels of demographic diversity may offer disparate economic conditions for different groups. For example, Texas and California both rate relatively highly for racial and ethnic diversity, but they have wide economic inequality between racial groups. New England states, including Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, are among the least racially and ethnically diverse yet economically equal states. Hawaii, on the other hand, stands out for offering high levels of racial and ethnic diversity and economic equality. This makes Hawaii a top location for those wishing to enjoy the social and cultural diversity benefits, along with widely shared economic well-being.

    Image of the map shows the diversity levels across U.S. states, with Hawaii standing out as one of the best states for diversity, as indicated by its high composite index score.

    DID YOU KNOW?

    The concentration of some air pollutants can be up to five times higher indoors than outdoors, which is why your home air filters are so important. For the best protection, consider Filterbuy’s MERV 13 air filters, which trap 98% of airborne particles.

    At the metro level, many cities offer similar combinations of diversity and equality. According to a composite index that includes racial/ethnic diversity, birthplace diversity, and economic equality, many of the best U.S. cities for diversity are in states like California, Colorado, and Arizona. They have growing and increasingly diverse populations due to high rates of immigration, and they are simultaneously experiencing economic growth that benefits their diverse residents.

    The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. To determine the best locations to move to for diversity, researchers at Filterbuy calculated a composite index based on equally-weighted indices of ethnic/racial diversity, birthplace diversity, and economic equality. To improve relevance, the study only included cities with at least 100,000 residents. Additionally, cities were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (100,000–149,999), midsize (150,000–349,999), and large (350,000 or more).

    Here are the best U.S. cities to move to for diversity:

    The image lists the best small and midsize cities for diversity based on a composite index. For small cities, Pearland, TX ranks highest, while for midsize cities, Hayward, CA leads the list.

    The Best Large Cities for Diversity

    A view of an urban city center with modern buildings, illuminated streets, and a lively public space, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere at dusk.

    Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

    15. Albuquerque, NM

    A scenic view of Portland's skyline at dusk, with the Willamette River reflecting the city's lights and the iconic green bridge in the foreground. The city is bathed in warm tones from the setting sun.

    Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

    14. Portland, OR

    A view of Jacksonville's skyline with the blue Green Monster Bridge crossing the St. Johns River, surrounded by modern buildings and cityscapes under a bright sky.

    Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

    13. Jacksonville, FL

    A scenic view of Seattle's skyline at sunset, featuring the Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the distance, with vibrant colors filling the sky and illuminating the city.

    Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock

    12. Seattle, WA

    A view of San Francisco's skyline at sunset, with the iconic painted ladies houses in the foreground and the cityscape in the background, bathed in warm golden light.

    Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock

    11. San Francisco, CA

    A stunning sunset with vibrant orange, purple, and pink hues reflecting on a calm body of water, framed by a row of palm trees. The scene captures the beauty of the tropical landscape at twilight.

    Photo Credit: Christopher M Hall / Shutterstock

    10. Mesa, AZ

    A panoramic view of a city with modern buildings and wide streets, set against a backdrop of mountains. The scene is bathed in warm light during sunset, highlighting the urban landscape.

    Photo Credit: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

    9. Colorado Springs, CO

    A view of a red-painted pedestrian bridge, with green trees surrounding the path and a serene, natural environment in the background. The bridge is wet, possibly after rain, with a line of red marking the walkway.

    Photo Credit: Peter Witham / Shutterstock

    8. Arlington, TX

    A view of the iconic Tower Bridge in Sacramento, with its yellow towers reflected in the calm waters of the river. The city skyline is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock

    7. Sacramento, CA

    A view of the San Diego skyline at twilight, with illuminated high-rise buildings reflecting the soft glow of the sunset in the water, set against a vibrant sky filled with clouds.

    Photo Credit: Dancestrokes / Shutterstock

    6. San Diego, CA

    A view of a beachside boardwalk with tall buildings in the background, people walking and biking along the path, and a sandy beach with umbrellas lining the shore under a clear, blue sky.

    Photo Credit: Alexandr Junek Imaging / Shutterstock

    5. Virginia Beach, VA

    A silhouette of tall palm trees against a vibrant sunset sky with colorful clouds, capturing a peaceful and tropical evening atmosphere.

    Photo Credit: John Roman Images / Shutterstock

    4. Anaheim, CA

    An aerial view of a city surrounded by colorful autumn trees, with vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow blending with the urban landscape and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

    Photo Credit: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

    3. Aurora, CO

    A view of Tucson, Arizona, with its modern cityscape featuring tall buildings and green spaces, set against a backdrop of desert mountains under a clear blue sky.

    Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

    2. Tucson, AZ

    An aerial view of San Jose, California, showcasing a mix of residential buildings and modern office structures, with the surrounding hills in the background under clear skies. The city appears vibrant and dynamic.

    Photo Credit: Uladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock

    1. San Jose, CA

    Detailed Findings & Methodology

    The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. To determine the best locations to move to for diversity, researchers calculated a composite index based on the following (equally-weighted) factors out of 100:

    To improve relevance, only cities with at least 100,000 residents were included. Additionally, cities were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (100,000–149,999), midsize (150,000–349,999), and large (350,000 or more).