What are the 4 major US cities? The internet can't decide. Vote for your picks.
There are thousands of cities in the United States, but according to the internet, four are more important than the rest. Which ones are they? That's up for discussion.
Social media's latest debate revolves around the notion that the U.S. only has four "major" cities.
The criteria and evaluation of which ones make the cut are up to each respective user, but many people seem to agree on at least two of them.
Thousands of people, from content creators to professional athletes, have weighed in on the discourse across platforms like TikTok and X in recent weeks.
What do you think? Take our survey at the bottom of this story.
What are the four major US cities?
Ranking one area as more "major" than another is obviously subjective, but many online commenters concur on two cities' inclusion in the list: New York City and Los Angeles. They are, after all, the most populous cities in the U.S. and each offer a lot in other criteria that netizens have used for evaluation.
The third spot is where it gets dicey, as some users have staunchly advocated for Chicago to be included, while others argue against it.
"I think we all need to come to a general consensus that the top three are locked in," content creator Eli Rallo said in an Aug. 3 TikTok, which has been viewed more than 625,000 times to date. "It's indisputably New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago."
"Chicago just isn’t top 3, NY and LA are the only for certains," one commenter said on the video.
When it comes to other contenders, several cities have circulated in online discourse.
"The real debate should be the fourth one," user @bichael.discotango said in a July 30 TikTok. "I've seen a lot of like, Miamis, or like, I've seen some people say D.C. 'cause it's the capital."
"If we're being honest there is no big 4 or even big 3. It's just NYC and LA," one commenter wrote on the video.
What makes a 'major' city?
Factors like a city's size, sports teams or historical significance have all been used by social media users in weighing the four major U.S. cities.
When it comes to population, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston are the top four largest cities in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, many have emphasized the importance of factors other than size.
"Remember, it is not just the biggest cities, it's the major cities," user @hoodieguyspam said in a TikTok. "You have to factor in cultural impact."
One cultural impact to note, at least to some, is where to develop a career.
"Everyone goes to New York City or LA to follow their dreams, or industry there, there are just lots of opportunities," user @reagans_ratings said in a TikTok.
International recognition has also played a factor in some rankings.
"As a Brit I’d always say New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago. They’re the most populous and noteworthy for us across the pond," one commenter said.
What do you think the four major U.S. cities are? Vote in our survey
Do you agree on New York, Los Angeles or Chicago? Is there a city you think should enter this debate?
Take Paste BN's survey and weigh in on what the four major U.S. cities are below. This survey includes the 50 most populated cities in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau.
This story has been updated to fix a typo.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for Paste BN. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.