States with Highest Relocation Rates: 2026 Guide

The states with highest relocation rates are defined by net inbound migration exceeding outbound moves, a metric tracked annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and migration studies like the United Van Lines National Movers Study. South Carolina leads 2026 growth at 1.5%, followed by Idaho at 1.4%, North Carolina at 1.3%, and Texas at 1.2%. These states share a common profile: low or no state income tax, warmer climates, and housing markets accessible to middle-income buyers. Understanding which states attract the most movers, and why, gives you a real advantage when planning your next relocation.

What drives states with highest relocation rates?

The single strongest predictor of high inbound migration is tax policy. Sunbelt states like Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina attract relocations because they charge no state income tax, offer warmer climates, and provide relatively affordable housing compared to the Northeast. That combination removes three of the biggest financial barriers families face when considering a move.

Climate plays a larger role than most people expect. Mountain West and Southern states consistently rank at the top of inbound move lists because mild winters and outdoor access are genuine quality-of-life factors, not just marketing points. Job growth reinforces this pull. States with expanding tech, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors give movers an economic reason to commit.

Housing affordability is the third pillar. From 2018 to 2023, migration consistently favored low-tax, affordable states like Idaho, South Carolina, Delaware, Montana, and Florida. High-tax states like California, New York, and Illinois lost residents during the same period. The pattern is clear: movers follow affordability.

No state income tax: Florida, Texas, South Dakota, and Tennessee charge zero state income tax.
Climate advantage: Southern and Mountain West states offer mild winters and year-round outdoor access.
Housing accessibility: Median home prices in top relocating states remain below the national average in many metros.
Job market growth: Tech, logistics, and healthcare sectors are expanding fastest in Sunbelt and Mountain West states.
Community and amenities: Smaller cities in top states often offer lower crime rates, better school ratings, and shorter commutes.

Pro Tip: Research the specific metro area, not just the state. Miami and Jacksonville are both in Florida, but their housing costs, traffic, and job markets differ significantly.

1. South Carolina

South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in 2026 at 1.5% population growth. It also ranks among the top four states for net inbound domestic migration. No state income tax on Social Security income, a mild coastal climate, and affordable housing in cities like Greenville and Columbia make it a consistent top choice. The United Van Lines study places South Carolina’s inbound move percentage above 57%, confirming strong and sustained demand.

2. Idaho

Idaho grew at 1.4% in 2026, second only to South Carolina. The state’s move-in-to-out ratio sits at 2.05, meaning over twice as many households move in as move out. That ratio signals a tight housing market. Boise has absorbed most of this growth, but smaller cities like Meridian and Nampa are catching up fast. Families drawn by outdoor recreation, low crime, and a growing tech sector have made Idaho one of the most competitive relocation destinations in the country.

3. North Carolina

North Carolina added 145,907 new residents in the most recent Census period, ranking third in absolute population gain among high-growth states. Its inbound move percentage exceeds 57% per the United Van Lines study. The Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) draws tech and biotech workers, while Charlotte pulls financial services professionals. Moderate housing costs and a flat state income tax rate keep North Carolina competitive against its Sunbelt peers.

4. Texas

Texas leads all states in absolute population gain, adding 391,243 new residents in the latest Census period. No state income tax and a massive job market in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio drive this growth. Texas is the clearest example of why absolute numbers and percentage growth tell different stories. Its sheer size means it absorbs enormous inbound volume even when its percentage growth rate trails smaller states. For families seeking a large metro with strong employment, Texas remains the top choice.

5. Florida

Florida added 196,980 new residents in the latest Census period, second only to Texas in absolute gains. The state charges no income tax and offers a warm climate year-round. Top relocating states like Florida attract retirees and remote workers in roughly equal measure, which creates diverse and growing communities. Property insurance costs have risen sharply in coastal areas, so buyers should factor that into total housing cost calculations before committing to a specific Florida metro.

6. Tennessee

Tennessee ranks among the top five states by net inbound domestic migration. Nashville’s growth as a music, healthcare, and tech hub has driven much of this momentum. The state charges no income tax on wages and has a relatively low cost of living outside of Nashville’s urban core. Chattanooga and Knoxville offer affordable alternatives for families who want Tennessee’s tax advantages without Nashville’s price premium.

7. Oregon

Oregon presents the most counterintuitive data point in the migration picture. It tops inbound moves at 64.5% per the United Van Lines 49th Annual National Movers Study, the highest inbound move percentage of any state. Oregon does charge a state income tax, which separates it from most top relocating states. Its appeal lies in natural beauty, a strong outdoor culture, and cities like Portland and Bend that attract younger professionals and remote workers. High inbound percentage with a smaller total population means Oregon’s housing market feels the pressure acutely.

8. Delaware

Delaware ranks among the top four states for net inbound domestic migration and consistently appears in migration trend analyses covering 2018 to 2023. Its inbound move percentage exceeds 57% per United Van Lines data. Delaware charges no sales tax, which reduces the effective cost of living meaningfully. Its location between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. makes it attractive for remote workers who need occasional access to major metros without paying for them full-time.

States losing the most residents

Five states lost population between july 2024 and july 2025: California (down 9,000), Hawaii (down 2,000), Vermont (down 1,800), West Virginia (down 1,000 to 2,000), and New Mexico (down 1,000). California, New York, Illinois, Hawaii, and Alaska consistently rank as the states with highest outbound migration due to high taxes and living costs.

High outbound migration creates real consequences for housing markets. When large numbers of residents leave, some neighborhoods see falling property values and reduced local services. For buyers, that can represent opportunity. For renters, it often means fewer neighbors and slower local economies.

California: High income tax, expensive housing, and regulatory costs push residents toward Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
New York: Property taxes and cost of living drive outflows to Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Illinois: Chicago’s property tax burden and pension-related fiscal pressure accelerate departures to Tennessee and Texas.
Hawaii: Geographic isolation and extremely high housing costs limit options for residents seeking affordability.
Alaska: Harsh climate and limited economic diversification drive steady outbound flows.

Pro Tip: Large states like California and New York still have massive absolute inbound move volumes. Net loss does not mean no one is moving in. Research the specific city or county before drawing conclusions.

How to read relocation data without getting misled

Net migration rates are more informative than raw population counts for movers evaluating destinations. A state with 30 million residents naturally generates large in and out move volumes. Percentage-based metrics reveal which states are growing fastest relative to their size.

Four metrics matter most when reading migration data:

Metric	What it measures	Best used for
Absolute net migration	Total new residents minus departures	Gauging overall demand and economic scale
Percentage growth rate	Population change as a share of total	Comparing states of different sizes fairly
Inbound move percentage	Share of moves that are inbound vs. outbound	Identifying competitive housing markets
Move-in-to-out ratio	Ratio of inbound to outbound moves	Measuring housing market tightness

Inbound move percentage reveals states like Oregon that fly under the radar in absolute growth statistics but face intense housing competition. A state with 64.5% inbound moves has far more people arriving than leaving, which pushes up home prices and rental rates faster than raw Census counts suggest.

Local metro variation matters as much as state-level data. Miami and Jacksonville are both in Florida, but their housing costs, commute times, and job markets differ significantly. State-level data sets the direction. Metro-level research closes the deal.

Key Takeaways

The states with the highest relocation rates are concentrated in the Sunbelt and Mountain West, driven by tax policy, climate, housing affordability, and job growth, with metrics like inbound move percentage and move-in-to-out ratio revealing competitive pressure that raw Census counts miss.

Point	Details
South Carolina leads 2026 growth	At 1.5% growth rate, it tops all states for net inbound domestic migration.
Oregon has the highest inbound percentage	At 64.5% inbound moves, Oregon’s housing market faces intense demand despite its income tax.
Idaho’s ratio signals tight housing	A move-in-to-out ratio of 2.05 means Idaho’s market is highly competitive for buyers.
Outbound states still attract movers	California and New York lose net residents but still receive large absolute inbound volumes.
Metro research beats state averages	Local variation within states like Florida makes city-level research critical before committing.

The data tells you where to look, not where to live

The migration numbers for 2026 confirm what I’ve observed consistently: families move toward tax relief and affordability faster than they move toward any single lifestyle factor. South Carolina and Idaho topping the growth charts is not a coincidence. Both states offer low tax burdens, accessible housing, and enough economic activity to support a career change alongside a location change.

What the data does not capture is the pace of change inside these markets. Idaho’s 2.05 move-in-to-out ratio sounds like a positive signal. It is also a warning. When twice as many people move in as move out, housing inventory tightens fast. Families who acted on Idaho’s appeal three years ago paid 2019 prices. Families acting now face a very different market.

My honest advice: treat state-level rankings as a shortlist, not a decision. The Mountain West states gaining momentum, including Montana alongside Idaho, are worth watching. But the families who move successfully are the ones who research the specific metro, visit in person, and plan their logistics before the market moves again. Relying on last year’s rankings in a fast-moving migration environment is the most common mistake I see. The long distance moving process rewards preparation over impulse every time.

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Planning a move to a high-growth state?

Relocating to a top-growth state like South Carolina, Texas, or North Carolina means competing with thousands of other families making the same move at the same time. Timing, logistics, and carrier reliability matter more in high-demand markets than anywhere else.

Movecraftmoving connects you with vetted carriers and relocation professionals who specialize in interstate moves to and from the country’s fastest-growing states. Every move is coordinated with full transparency on pricing and scheduling, so you know exactly what to expect before moving day. If you are heading to a Sunbelt or Mountain West destination, start with the long distance moving process overview to build a plan that matches your timeline and budget.

FAQ

What state has the highest relocation rate in 2026?

South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in 2026 at 1.5% population growth, ranking first in net inbound domestic migration according to Census Bureau Vintage estimates.

Which state has the highest inbound move percentage?

Oregon leads all states with a 64.5% inbound move percentage per the United Van Lines 49th Annual National Movers Study, meaning nearly two-thirds of all moves involving Oregon are inbound.

Why are people leaving California and New York?

High state income taxes, elevated housing costs, and a high overall cost of living drive outbound migration from California and New York toward lower-tax states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee.

What is a move-in-to-out ratio and why does it matter?

A move-in-to-out ratio measures how many households move into a state for every one that leaves. Idaho’s ratio of 2.05 signals a tight housing market where demand significantly outpaces supply.

Should I rely only on state-level migration data when choosing where to move?

State-level data identifies strong candidates but local metro areas within the same state can vary widely in housing costs and job availability. Research the specific city or county before making a final decision.