Where Americans Are Moving in 2026
Data-driven analysis of US migration patterns, tax arbitrage, and cost of living trends based on Census data and Ocity's proprietary scoring.
Top Migration Corridors (2026)
Based on Census migration estimates and Ocity user data. Tax savings calculated for $100K salary.
| Route | Est. Movers | Tax Savings/yr | COL Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Texas | 102,000 | +$8,200 | -28% |
| New York Florida | 78,000 | +$9,500 | -22% |
| Illinois Tennessee | 45,000 | +$5,100 | -18% |
| New Jersey Florida | 38,000 | +$7,200 | -15% |
| Massachusetts North Carolina | 32,000 | +$4,800 | -24% |
| California Arizona | 65,000 | +$6,100 | -12% |
| Washington Texas | 28,000 | $0 | -8% |
| Colorado Texas | 25,000 | +$4,300 | -14% |
State-by-State Insights
Key Findings
Why People Are Moving
- 1. Tax Arbitrage — High earners fleeing CA, NY, NJ for zero-tax states, saving $5K-15K/year
- 2. Remote Work — 35% of moves tied to permanent remote positions
- 3. Housing Affordability — Median home in Austin costs 40% less than Bay Area
- 4. Quality of Life — Lower crime, better schools, more space
States Losing Residents
- California — Net loss of 180K residents, primarily to TX and AZ
- New York — 120K net loss, mostly to FL and NC
- Illinois — 85K net loss, property taxes cited as top reason
- New Jersey — 55K net loss, highest property taxes in US
Methodology
This report combines data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2025 estimates, IRS migration statistics, and Ocity.org's proprietary analysis of 713 US metros.
Tax savings are calculated using Ocity's TaxEngine for a $100,000 annual salary, single filer, comparing state + local income tax liabilities between origin and destination.
Cost of living changes are derived from BLS Consumer Price Index data and local housing market indices, weighted for a typical household budget.
Report generated: March 2026. Data updated quarterly. For press inquiries or custom reports, contact Ocity Research.