If you’ve been daydreaming about packing up and starting fresh somewhere cheaper, you’re not alone.
A new analysis from MoveBuddha — which tracked 78,000 moving searches in the first three months of 2026 — reveals exactly where Americans want to go. And where they’re running from.
Here’s what’s interesting: This isn’t about chasing sunsets or beach vibes. It’s about money. People are doing the math on property taxes, state income taxes, and housing costs, and they’re voting with their moving trucks.
This data confirms what I’ve been telling people for years: Where you live is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. Get it wrong, and you’ll bleed money every single month.
Let’s look at what the data says. Here are the seven states winning the migration war.
1. Idaho
Idaho is the No. 1 destination for 2026, with a 2.05 in-to-out move ratio. That means roughly two people are searching for moves in for every one looking to leave.
It’s no mystery why. Property taxes clock in at just 0.49%, which is less than a quarter of what you’d pay in New Jersey. The median home price hovers around $442,000, according to Zillow. That’s not cheap, but it’s a fraction of what you’d spend in coastal California.
And that’s the real story. Nearly a quarter of all Idaho-bound moves originate from California, according to MoveBuddha’s data. A California Policy Lab analysis found that for every Idahoan who heads to the Golden State, more than two Californians come back the other way.
U.S. Census data confirms it: 80% of Idaho counties grew their populations in 2025.
2. South Carolina
South Carolina held the No. 1 spot for six straight years before Idaho edged it out. It’s still pulling almost exactly two newcomers for every person who leaves (2.01 ratio).
The financial case is compelling. South Carolina’s effective property tax rate sits at roughly 0.48% — among the lowest in the country. To put that in perspective, a $400,000 home costs about $2,040 a year in property taxes here. That same home in New Jersey? You’re looking at $8,920.
That’s nearly $7,000 a year just in property taxes.
Myrtle Beach leads the charge as the single hottest city in the nation, drawing 3.88 inbound searches for every outbound one.
3. Alaska
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Its in-to-out ratio jumped 32% from the year before, the biggest percentage increase of any state.
It’s not for everyone. But if you’re a remote worker pulling in a solid salary, keeping every dime of it without a state income tax bite is a powerful motivator.
4. Montana
Montana’s move interest exploded by 42 percentage points over the past year, the largest gain of any state. With a 1.70 in-to-out ratio, it’s riding a wave of Mountain West enthusiasm.
The combination of wide-open space, no state sales tax, and a cost of living well below coastal averages is proving irresistible to remote workers and early retirees looking for domestic tax havens.
5. North Carolina
North Carolina just keeps growing. More than 139,000 people moved to the state in 2024 alone, the highest net migration in the Southeast, according to the state’s Office of Budget and Management.
Here’s the kicker for your wallet: North Carolina’s flat income tax rate just dropped to 3.99% in 2026. Compare that to California’s top rate of over 13% or New York’s 10.9%. It’s no wonder wealthy Americans are heading south.
6. Maine
Maine cracked the top 10 for inbound interest, and Portland, Maine, is now the fourth most popular city in the country with a 2.48 in-to-out ratio.
For retirees tired of Florida’s hurricanes and rising insurance costs, Maine’s small-town culture and stunning coastline are a refreshing alternative.
7. Tennessee
Tennessee has no state income tax. Combined with affordable housing and a cost of living below the national average, it’s an obvious draw.
The state pulls a 1.46 in-to-out ratio, and cities like Knoxville — projected by MoveBuddha to be the No. 1 city for inbound interest in 2026 — are leading the way.
If you’re retiring on a fixed income, keeping your entire Social Security check and pension without a state tax bite matters more than you think.
The 5 states people are fleeing
Now for the other side. These are the states where more people want out than in. If you’re wondering why, taxes are almost always part of the answer.
1. Connecticut (0.52 in-to-out ratio)
Connecticut is the least popular state in 2026. For every person looking to move in, nearly two are looking to escape.
It’s not hard to see why. Connecticut has the third-highest effective property tax rate in the nation. According to the Tax Foundation, it’s been stuck in the top tier for three consecutive years. And each of its 169 towns independently provides all public services, which drives costs further through the roof.
2. New Jersey (0.60 ratio)
New Jersey has the highest effective property tax rate in America at 2.23%, according to the Tax Foundation. The median annual property tax bill is roughly $9,541, and 10 of the 26 counties nationwide with average bills over $10,000 are in the Garden State, per a recent ATTOM report.
That’s not a property tax. That’s a second mortgage.
3. Maryland (0.65 ratio)
High property taxes, a top income tax rate above 5%, and proximity to the D.C. cost-of-living bubble are pushing Marylanders to look elsewhere.
4. Massachusetts (0.69 ratio)
The median home price in Massachusetts is among the highest in the country, and property taxes add a serious sting. Workers are finding that their salaries don’t stretch the way they used to.
5. California (0.71 ratio)
California is no longer the top exit state, but the exodus continues. The state’s top income tax rate exceeds 13%, housing is among the most expensive in the nation, and affordability has reached crisis levels in most metro areas.
What this means for your money
Here’s the bottom line. If you’re thinking about relocating in retirement or chasing a lower cost of living, the data is screaming one thing: do the math before you move.
Don’t just compare home prices. Stack up property taxes, state income taxes, insurance costs, and everyday expenses. A home that looks like a bargain can become a money trap if the tax structure eats you alive. That’s exactly what happens in some so-called tax-friendly states that are actually money pits.
And don’t chase trends blindly. MoveBuddha’s survey found that 40% of Americans say high moving costs are preventing them from relocating, and 38% say housing costs in their dream destination are too steep.
The smartest move? Treat your relocation like an investment. Because that’s exactly what it is.
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