Americans are still on the move — and in 2026 the map of where they are landing is clearer than ever. The long shift toward the South and the Mountain West has continued, even as the overall pace of moving has cooled. Here is what the latest data shows, and what it means if a move is on your horizon.
The new growth leaders
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the country over the past year, expanding about 1.5%. Idaho (roughly 1.4%), North Carolina (1.3%), and Texas (1.2%) followed close behind. In raw numbers, Texas still added the most people of any state — nearly 391,000 — with Florida (about 197,000) and North Carolina (about 146,000) rounding out the top three.
Where the movers are coming from
When you strip out births and international arrivals and look only at Americans moving between states — what demographers call net domestic migration — North Carolina led the nation with roughly 84,000 net new residents, followed by Texas (about 67,000), South Carolina (about 67,000), and Tennessee (about 42,000). The through-line is unmistakable: families are trading higher-cost, higher-tax states for the South and the Sun Belt.
Texas and Florida are cooling — and that is an opportunity
Here is the twist. Texas and Florida, the two great migration magnets of the past decade, have now settled into what United Van Lines calls “balanced” — roughly as many people leaving as arriving. That does not mean they have fallen out of favor; it means their prices caught up. The momentum is spreading to their neighbors: the Carolinas, Tennessee, and the Mountain West are absorbing families priced out of Austin and Tampa while still offering the lower taxes and tight-knit community they came for.
What it means for your move
If you are weighing a move, the 2026 map is good news: you have more strong options than ever, and the “second-wave” states often deliver better value than the headline destinations. The smartest approach is to compare states on the factors that actually affect your family — taxes, home prices, schools, and community — before you fall in love with a single city.
Not sure where you fit? Take our quick quiz to find your best-match state, run the numbers with our State Tax Savings Calculator, and when you are ready, get started free — we will match you with a vetted conservative agent who knows the area.