Migration Trends: Where Are People Moving to in 2026?

States people are moving to and away from

If you’re planning a move to a new state, what factors would shape your decision? From housing costs and income taxes to finding the best place to raise a family, there’s a lot to consider.

About 48% of our respondents are interested in moving to the South, 25% to the West, 16% to the Midwest and only about 11% to the Northeast. The South remains the top destination and interest has remained steady year over year. In 2025, nearly 46% of respondents planned to move to a Southern state.

Still curious? Dig deeper into these migration trends and compare data from the last few years using the map below.

Top 10 states people are moving to

The top 10 states people are moving to all have one major thing in common: affordability. They all have a median home sale price under $500,000 and a top marginal state individual income tax under 6.5%. Notably, three of the top 10 states people want to move to have no income tax.

We also can’t forget the old adage, “Location, location, location.” Seven out of the top 10 states are in the South. That’s not just about balmy weather — it’s also about savings. “We’re seeing a major shift toward the South,” Leticia Cruz, a realtor based in Celebration, Florida, told ConsumerAffairs. “Buyers can often sell high in the Northeast or West and buy more home for their money here. Combine that with lower taxes, more space, and a slower pace of life, and it becomes a very compelling move.”

So what do you get when you consider affordability plus location? The No. 1 state people are looking to move to: Florida. Many of those prospective movers are coming from high-cost states like New York and California, along with nearby Georgia, highlighting both a search for affordability and a shift in lifestyle priorities.

People want to move to Florida because “it offers both a financial and lifestyle upgrade,” says Cruz. “No state income tax, warm weather year-round, and more flexibility for remote workers. For many, it’s not just a move, it’s a quality-of-life decision.”

Top 10 states people are leaving

Moving to a new state means leaving your current one behind — a decision that can come with both practical and emotional considerations. So what motivates people to leave home for somewhere new?

The 10 states people most want to leave span across every region of the U.S., though the Northeast stands out, with more residents looking to move away than any other region. Four Northeastern states appear on the list, including New York and New Jersey.

The West follows closely behind, with three states ranking among the most commonly left. It’s also home to the state with the highest net outmigration: California, which has held the No. 1 spot for three years running.

Why are people leaving California — and where are they going?

Whatever happened to California dreaming? The state known for blue skies, sandy beaches and celebrities is seeing more interest in moving out than moving in — 12,601 people want to leave, compared with just 5,436 who are considering a move to the Golden State.

The Public Policy Institute of California points to the state’s high cost of living as a key driver of negative net migration. California not only has the highest median home sale price in the nation at $820,800, but also the highest top marginal state income tax rate at 13.3%. For many residents, housing costs in particular have become increasingly difficult to manage, putting pressure on household budgets and long-term financial stability.

That focus on affordability reflects where Californians are looking to go. Rather than heading to the East Coast, most prospective movers are considering states in the West and the South, with Southern states in particular known for lower costs of living and more favorable tax environments.

States like Texas, Arizona and Florida top the list for Californians, offering a combination of relative affordability, lower or nonexistent state income taxes and strong job markets. Texas and Florida, in particular, stand out for having no state income tax, making them especially appealing to residents looking to reduce their overall tax burden. While some Californians are drawn to cooler, more temperate climates — including Oregon, Washington and Colorado — many are prioritizing financial relief over weather alone.

Net migration by state

There have been a few shakeups in migration trends year over year, including among the top states people want to move to. Not only was North Carolina pushed out of the No. 1 spot this year by Florida, but Arizona rose six spots, from No. 10 to No. 4.

Looking at the biggest shifts in interest overall, Pennsylvania saw the largest increase, climbing 20 spots from No. 37 in 2025 to No. 17 this year, with much of its demand coming from Florida, New York and California residents. Meanwhile, Nevada experienced the steepest decline, falling 19 spots to No. 38. Residents there are most interested in moving to California, Texas and Florida.

Wondering about a state that’s somewhere in the middle? See the full data in the table below.

Methodology

This analysis is based on data from 100,377 ConsumerAffairs users who expressed interest in moving to another state between March 1, 2025, and March 26, 2026. To calculate net migration interest for each state, we compared the number of users interested in moving to a state with those considering leaving it. These findings reflect user interest, not confirmed moves.

We also incorporated supplemental data for context, including median home sale prices (Redfin, February 2026), top marginal state income tax rates (Tax Foundation, 2025), political leanings based on the 2024 presidential election results (FEC) and the most recent national estimates of interstate migration (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024).

Reference policy

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Questions?

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact dedens@consumeraffairs.com.