Affordability Drives Americans to Sun Belt Cities as Coastal Metros Bleed Residents

Executive Briefing

• Reveals 58% of long-distance movers cite affordability as primary motivation, versus only 28% citing job opportunities
• Shows Myrtle Beach-Wilmington topped move-in destinations for the fourth consecutive year in early 2026
• Highlights California leading move-outs with seven cities in the top 20, including Los Angeles ranking first for five straight years
• Indicates Florida doubled its representation in top move-in markets despite post-pandemic slowdown in migration
• Confirms Sun Belt cities dominate destinations, with eight of the top 10 move-in locations located in the region