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BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to estimate the numbers of individuals living with metastatic cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder, and melanoma in the United States (US) using population-based data. METHODS A back-calculation method was used to estimate the number of individuals living with metastatic cancer for each cancer type from US cancer mortality and survival statistics from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries. The percentages of those living with metastatic cancer who advanced to metastatic disease from early-stage cancer versus who were diagnosed with metastatic cancer de novo were calculated. One- and five-year relative survival rates for de novo metastatic cancer were compared by year of diagnosis to assess time trends in survival. RESULTS It is estimated that, in 2018, 623,405 individuals were living with metastatic cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder, and melanoma in the US. This number is expected to increase to 693,452 in 2025. In 2018, the percentage of survivors initially diagnosed with early-stage cancer who advanced to metastatic cancer ranged from 30% for lung cancer to 72% for bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates increasing numbers of individuals living with metastatic cancer of the six most common cancer types in the US. This information is critical for informing the allocation of research efforts and healthcare infrastructure needed to address the needs of these individuals.