- 22%of U.S. citizens relocating to a different state pointed out better weather condition as a factor in their relocation, the most typically cited reason, per a new Redfin survey.
- Nearly as lots of people, 21%, are wanting to vacate state due to issues about climate change.
- Weather condition and environment concerns are more typical reasons for vacating state than cost, a new job or living closer to household.
More than one in five (22%) U.S. citizens planning an out-of-state move said much better weather condition is encouraging their moving, making it the most commonly pointed out factor among 29 options included in a current Redfin study.
Issues about natural disasters and environment dangers ranked a close second, with 21% of respondents stating those factors are affecting the decision to leave their current state.
This is according to a Redfin survey conducted by Ipsos in Might 2026, fielded to 4,000 U.S. locals. This report focuses on the following concern:”Which of the following show reasons you are most likely to move in the next year?”Respondents might choose all that apply from a list of 29 choices. The lead to this report are from the participants who stated they’re preparing to move to a different state in the next 12 months. Please see completion of this report for more on methodology.
Individuals who prepare to relocate to a various area or city within their state have different leading factors. Among that group, 29% are relocating to update to a better home or community, and the very same share strategy to move because they want more space, the most typically pointed out factors. Next comes issue for safety/crime (21%). Just 9% of this group cited better weather as a reason for their move, and 14% cited concern for natural catastrophes or environment dangers.
Migration Data Shows That Americans Typically Move From Cold Places to Warm, Sunny Locations
Redfin migration data shows that Americans consistently move northern parts of the country to warm, warm southern city locations. Florida, Las Vegas and Sacramento are among the most popular locations for relocating property buyers and occupants. This survey shows a comparable pattern: Of the respondents who are preparing an out-of-state move, 14% are moving to Florida, the most typically mentioned state, followed carefully by Texas (13%) and California (11%).
Obviously, a lot of the cities that people are leaving are much more costly than the locations they’re moving to; expense of living is an important factor to consider in choosing where to live, but so is weather condition. Much of the places with warm, warm weather condition happen to have fairly budget-friendly homes, too. For instance, the typical home in Orlando sells for $411,000, about half as much as the common home in New york city, the most common out-of-state origin for individuals relocating to Orlando.
“Many movers are searching for a location that aligns with their ideal lifestyle, and weather condition can play a meaningful role because choice,”said Redfin Economist Yingqi Xu.”Whether it’s getting away severe winter seasons, the desire for year-round outside leisure or wanting to sunlight as a mood booster, weather is a crucial factor to consider for many Americans who are relocating.”
A different Redfin study found that U.S. citizens focus on sunlight over home size: 44% would choose a smaller sized home with more sunlight over a bigger, dimmer home, while 24% would choose the opposite. The survey also found that individuals who reside in sun-filled homes are a lot more most likely to like where they live.
In regards to Americans moving due to issue about natural catastrophes and climate dangers, a different Redfin analysis strengthens that point. Motion away from flood-prone parts of the U.S. intensified in 2025 after ending up being a notable trend in 2024.
Security, Price, Politics Also Aspect Into Out-of-State Moves
Among those planning an out-of-state relocation, concern for security or criminal activity was the most typically pointed out reason after weather and climate threat, with 20% of participants choosing that option. Next comes moving for a new task (19%). They’re followed by lower overall expense of living (18%), and moving to be closer to household (18%).
Another affordability element– lower rental/home rates, cited by 15%– likewise arrived at the leading 10 list.
It’s also noteworthy that a large share of participants stated they prepare to move for political reasons. More than one in 10 (12%) who intend to move out-of-state are transferring to reside in an area where their views are better aligned with the political bulk, and 8% are planning to transfer to live in a place where abortions are legal and/or available.
| Complete results for study question: Which of the following show reasons you are most likely to relocate the next year?
This table includes reactions from the 284 U.S. residents who indicated they’re planning to transfer to a different state within the next 12 months, and the 564 respondents who are preparing to move within their present state. Respondents could choose all that apply. |
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| Factor | Out-of-state movers | In-state movers |
| For better weather condition | 22% | 9% |
| Issue for natural disasters or climate dangers in my previous area including heat, drought, flooding, fire, smoke or poor air quality. | 21% | 14% |
| Issue for safety/crime | 20% | 21% |
| Move for a new task or task moving | 19% | 7% |
| To be with or nearer to household | 18% | 14% |
| For lower total cost of living | 18% | 18% |
| Upgrade to better home or community | 18% | 29% |
| Want more space | 16% | 29% |
| Concerns about job security | 15% | 8% |
| For lower rental/home prices | 15% | 16% |
| For lower home loan rates | 15% | 8% |
| For lower insurance coverage costs | 14% | 7% |
| I didn’t like the area I was residing in | 14% | 12% |
| To live in a location where my views are much better aligned with the political bulk | 12% | 8% |
| For lower property taxes | 12% | 10% |
| For a shorter commute | 12% | 7% |
| To reside in an area where I can (or my kids can) get gender affirming care | 12% | 3% |
| To be in an area that is more ethnically/racially varied | 11% | 6% |
| I didn’t love the home I was residing in | 10% | 12% |
| Family changes (i.e. child care, prepares to have children, death or divorce) | 8% | 10% |
| For a return-to-office policy for myself or my spouse/partner | 8% | 2% |
| For lower childcare costs | 8% | 4% |
| To reside in an area where abortions are legal and/or accessible | 8% | 5% |
| To reside in a location with more highly rated schools | 8% | 10% |
| Downsizing/want less area | 6% | 6% |
| I have felt discriminated in my location | 6% | 5% |
| I have actually felt victimized by my property owner | 6% | 3% |
| For lower homeowners’ association fees | 6% | 7% |
| For orders or requests connected to military service | 4% | 2% |
Approach
The study results in this report are from a Redfin survey performed by Ipsos in May 2026. It was fielded to a nationally representative sample of 4,000 adults 18+ who are U.S. locals.
This report focuses on the following question: “Which of the following reflect reasons you are most likely to move in the next year?” In this report, we’re focusing on actions from the 284 participants who said they’re most likely to vacate state within the next 12 months, as well as 564 participants who stated they’re most likely to move in-state within the next 12 months. The outcomes for these groups of survey participants have a reliability interval of +/- 7.2 and 5.1 portion points, respectively. Participants might select all that use from 29 alternatives, which are listed in the table above.