Why satellite cities are worth considering
Lower rent, top schools, modern houses, and a short drive to big-city amenities — satellite cities top the U.S. Census fastest-growing list for a reason.
When people search for a new place to move to, they often focus on the city itself. That’s a good first step because urban centers tend to have the most cultural and sports attractions, as well as some of the best restaurants.
But your search when moving to a new city shouldn’t stop there. While the word “suburbs” may have no attraction for you, there are also other areas called “satellite cities.” They’re worth checking out because they rank among the fastest-growing areas in the United States.
Satellite cities are well known for good schools, steady property values, low crime, and peaceful neighborhoods. If that sounds like a good combination to you, read on.
Moving to a Satellite City: Key Takeaways
- Satellite cities are not suburbs. They are cities in their own right that existed before the big city grew to reach them — Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Berkeley, Plano are classic examples.
- Real benefits beyond the hype: lower rent and home prices, top schools, low crime, modern houses, and a short drive to big-city amenities.
- U.S. Census 2022: the top fastest-growing cities in the country are all satellite cities — Georgetown and Leander (Austin), New Braunfels (San Antonio), Queen Creek / Buckeye / Goodyear (Phoenix), Spring Hill (Nashville), and Florida’s Port St. Lucie, Fort Myers, and North Port.
What is a satellite city?
Satellite cities are municipalities adjacent to a big city, with their own employment base — distinct from suburbs and from “edge cities.”
Urban planners and local leaders came up with the term satellite city to describe municipalities adjacent to a well-known big city. They differ from suburban communities in that they are cities in their own right. They typically have their own base of businesses that employ many of the local residents.
That said, the definition can get a bit murky. The term “edge city” describes something similar, but typically involves a suburban area that has grown a base of businesses and neighborhoods. Usually, a satellite city existed on its own before the larger city grew to reach its borders.
In some cases, satellite cities have been more or less absorbed by the big city or the surrounding urban area. Coral Gables in South Florida is a good example, as are many of the smaller cities and towns in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Tampa Bay, and Southern California.
Some of the biggest satellite cities have grown into large cities of their own, including Fort Lauderdale, Florida (a satellite of Miami); Berkeley, California (San Francisco); Greeley, Colorado (Denver); Clearwater, Florida (Tampa); and Plano, Texas (Dallas).
Benefits of moving to a satellite city
Lower rent, lower home prices, top-ranking schools, lower crime, quieter neighborhoods with modern amenities — and a short drive to the big city.
While some people love the idea of living in Miami, Atlanta, or Houston, others are fans of the practical advantages offered by places such as Plantation, Florida; Marietta, Georgia; and Sugar Land, Texas. Some advantages of satellite cities:
- Lower rent costs
- Lower home prices
- High-ranking schools
- Lower crime rates compared to large cities
- Chain and locally owned retail options (many located in walkable small downtown areas)
- Plenty of restaurant choices
- Good roads or rail systems that take you into the big city
While there are many great neighborhoods in cities, smaller satellite cities tend to have quieter neighborhoods with newer houses that have modern amenities.
Satellite cities among the fastest-growing areas in the U.S.
U.S. Census numbers show satellite cities lead the nation in percentage population growth — Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix, Nashville, and Florida satellites top the list.
The attraction of satellite cities is apparent in the U.S. Census Bureau data about where people are moving. According to those numbers, the fastest-growing towns in the U.S. by percentage of population increase are all satellite cities.
They include two satellite cities of Austin, Texas (Georgetown and Leander), one in San Antonio (New Braunfels), and three in Phoenix (Queen Creek Town, Buckeye, and Goodyear). The list also includes Spring Hill, Tennessee (outside Nashville), and two southwest Florida cities about equal driving distance from Tampa Bay and South Florida (Fort Myers and North Port). Another on the list is Port St. Lucie, Florida, which sits just north of the 90-mile South Florida urban corridor that runs from Jupiter down to Miami.
“As these center cities become more in demand and expensive, urban satellites have surged in popularity. The upward trajectory of urban satellites indicates that many Americans are choosing to stay in the orbit of large, successful cities.” — CCIM Institute
So, when you’re looking for real estate options in a city, don’t ignore the possibilities in satellite cities. You might just find these lesser-known areas give you a combination of great housing choices and a short drive to all the city has to offer.
How Good Greek handles satellite city moves
Whether you’re moving from a big city into a satellite or upgrading to a new satellite city home, Good Greek Moving & Storage handles local and long-distance relocations across Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide.
Are you planning a move? Call (561) 683-1313 to speak with a Relocation Specialist, or request a free moving quote to get started.
Satellite City: Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a satellite city and a suburb?
A satellite city is a municipality in its own right, with its own employment base, government, and downtown — it existed before the big city grew to reach it. A suburb is residential overflow from the big city, usually without an independent employment base. Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, and Plano are satellite cities; Pembroke Pines and Frisco are closer to suburbs.
Are satellite cities cheaper than the main city?
Almost always, yes — home prices and rent run 15–40% lower than the adjacent big city, depending on the metro. Schools, parks, and safety often rank higher than the big city center. The trade-off is fewer downtown restaurants, fewer night-life options, and a longer drive to major airports.
Which Florida satellite cities are growing fastest?
Port St. Lucie, Fort Myers, and North Port lead Florida’s satellite city growth, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers. They combine lower cost of living than Miami, Tampa, or Orlando with a short drive to coastal amenities.
Is it worth commuting from a satellite city to the main city?
Often yes. Lower rent or mortgage plus better schools usually beat the cost of an extra 20–40 minutes of commute, especially if you can work hybrid or remote 2–3 days a week. Run the math on housing savings vs commute fuel and tolls before deciding.
