New York City is the largest city in the US, with an estimated 8,584,629 residents in 2025. Los Angeles is second at 3,869,089 and Chicago third at 2,731,585. The order follows US Census Bureau estimates for July 1, 2025, the newest official numbers.
Pulse VerdictBy far the largest city in the country.
2025 estimate: 8,584,6292020 census: 8,804,190Change since 2020: -2.5%Land area: 300.5 sq miState: New York
New York City had an estimated 8,584,629 residents in 2025, more than twice as many as any other US city. Its five boroughs pack that population into about 300.5 square miles of land, making it the densest big city in the country.
Go ifMuseums, Broadway and world-class food
Skip ifYou want space and quiet
Why #1 over #2: New York City had an estimated 8,584,629 residents against 3,869,089 in Los Angeles.
2
Los Angeles
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Pulse VerdictThe biggest city on the West Coast.
2025 estimate: 3,869,0892020 census: 3,898,747Change since 2020: -0.8%Land area: 469.5 sq miState: California
Los Angeles had an estimated 3,869,089 residents in 2025 across about 469.5 square miles. It is the center of the US film and TV industry and the largest city in California.
Go ifBeaches, studios and year-round sun
Skip ifYou hate driving and traffic
Why #2 over #3: Los Angeles had an estimated 3,869,089 residents against 2,731,585 in Chicago.
3
Chicago
Photo: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chicago had an estimated 2,731,585 residents in 2025 on about 227.7 square miles along Lake Michigan. It is famous for its architecture, river and lakefront.
Go ifArchitecture, lakefront and deep-dish pizza
Skip ifYou cannot stand cold winters
Why #3 over #4: Chicago had an estimated 2,731,585 residents against 2,397,315 in Houston.
4
Houston
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Pulse VerdictThe largest city in Texas and the South.
Houston had an estimated 2,397,315 residents in 2025, up from 2,304,580 in the 2020 census. It covers about 640.4 square miles, the most land of any city on this list, and is home to the Texas Medical Center and NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Go ifSpace Center Houston and a huge food scene
Skip ifYou want a walkable city - it is very spread out
Why #4 over #5: Houston had an estimated 2,397,315 residents against 1,665,481 in Phoenix.
5
Phoenix
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Pulse VerdictThe largest state capital in the country.
Philadelphia had an estimated 1,574,281 residents in 2025 on about 134.4 square miles, the smallest land area on this list. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are both downtown.
Go ifAmerican history and walkable neighborhoods
Skip ifYou want a fast-growing Sun Belt city
Why #6 over #7: Philadelphia had an estimated 1,574,281 residents against 1,548,422 in San Antonio.
7
San Antonio
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Pulse VerdictOne of the fastest-growing big cities.
San Antonio had an estimated 1,548,422 residents in 2025, up from 1,434,625 in the 2020 census. It is known for the River Walk, the Alamo and its Spanish colonial missions.
Go ifThe River Walk and the Alamo
Skip ifYou want a beach city
Why #7 over #8: San Antonio had an estimated 1,548,422 residents against 1,406,106 in San Diego.
8
San Diego
Photo: Dirk Hansen / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pulse VerdictThe second-largest city in California.
2025 estimate: 1,406,1062020 census: 1,386,932Change since 2020: +1.4%Land area: 325.9 sq miState: California
San Diego had an estimated 1,406,106 residents in 2025, up from 1,386,932 in 2020. It sits on the Pacific coast near the Mexican border and is known for its beaches and mild climate.
Go ifBeaches and mild weather all year
Skip ifYou are on a tight housing budget
Why #8 over #9: San Diego had an estimated 1,406,106 residents against 1,329,491 in Dallas.
9
Dallas
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Dallas had an estimated 1,329,491 residents in 2025, up from 1,304,379 in the 2020 census. It is a major business center and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
Go ifBusiness travel and North Texas sports
Skip ifYou want a beach or mountains nearby
Why #9 over #10: Dallas had an estimated 1,329,491 residents against 1,028,117 in Fort Worth.
10
Fort Worth
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Pulse VerdictThe newest member of the million-resident club.
Fort Worth had an estimated 1,028,117 residents in 2025, up from 918,915 in the 2020 census, the fastest growth on this list. It is known for the Fort Worth Stockyards and its Western heritage.
Go ifCowboy culture at the Stockyards
Skip ifYou want a big skyline city feel
How we ranked these
The order is each city's population estimate for July 1, 2025 from the US Census Bureau. It counts people inside city limits, not the wider metro area. Population figures are Census Bureau estimates; check each city's official site for visitor and resident information.
Questions people ask
What is the largest city in the US?
New York City, with an estimated 8,584,629 residents in 2025. Los Angeles is second with 3,869,089.
How many US cities have more than 1 million people?
Ten, and Fort Worth is the newest to cross that line, with an estimated 1,028,117 residents in 2025.
Which state has the most of the largest cities?
Texas, with four of the ten: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.
Which big city grew the fastest since 2020?
Fort Worth, which went from 918,915 in the 2020 census to an estimated 1,028,117 in 2025.
Is this city population or metro area population?
City population, meaning the people living inside each city's legal limits. Metro areas, which include suburbs, are much larger.
2025 population (millions) at a glance
Fort Worth1.03 million
Dallas1.33 million
San Diego1.41 million
San Antonio1.55 million
Philadelphia1.57 million
Phoenix1.67 million
Houston2.4 million
Chicago2.73 million
Los Angeles3.87 million
New York City8.58 million
Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2025, in millions.
