Migration After the Boom: Where Americans Are Moving in 2026
June 9, 2026
Find out where Americans are moving in 2026, why they're relocating, and how developers, investors, and retailers can stay ahead of the trends.
Key Takeaways from the Report:
- Smaller states led by South Carolina and Delaware posted the largest net migration gains relative to population in 2025.
- Among the six most populous states, only Florida recorded meaningful net inflows.
- New York, Illinois, and California kept losing residents, though outmigration slowed from recent years.
- Vermont, a COVID-era relocation hotspot, saw the biggest outflow relative to population.
- State-level trends hid local variation: Phoenix led major metros, and Dallas drew inflows as Houston lost residents.
- Among large CBSAs (500,000+ residents), mid-sized Florida metros dominated, driven mostly by in-state moves.
- Affordability still drives relocation – but movers increasingly favor older, established communities with larger 65+ populations.
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