Where Are People Moving in June 2026? (moveBuddha Data)
Fact Checked by: In-to-out ratio · moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
(Updated: July 2026)
Where People Are Moving in June 2026:
- Florida is the #1 destination state in June 2026 by both ratio and volume, posting a 1.79 in-to-out ratio while also capturing nearly 40% of all net inbound move searches. No other state comes close on either measure.
- Idaho and South Carolina round out the top three, with ratios of 1.70 and 1.68. Both states continue to draw strong interest from movers leaving higher-cost metros.
- Colorado enters the top 10 for the first time, driven by interest in Colorado Springs and Denver suburbs. Louisiana and Kentucky also appear, reflecting broadening Sunbelt and border-South demand.
- Maryland ranks #6 among exit states with a 0.70 ratio, joining Connecticut and D.C. as the most lopsided outbound markets in June.
- Connecticut leads all exit states at 0.59. D.C., Virginia, California, New York, Maryland, and Ohio all rank in the bottom 10, making the Northeast and mid-Atlantic the dominant exit region.
- Provo, Utah tops the exit city list with a 27:1 outbound-to-inbound ratio, the most lopsided city result in June’s data. Virginia suburbs Alexandria and Ashburn also rank among the top exit cities.
- Florida cities dominate the top inbound list. Ocala, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Palm Coast all rank in the top 10 cities by in-to-out ratio, with Ocala and Sarasota tied for the highest ratio of any qualifying city.
June is peak moving season, and this year’s searchers are sending a clear signal: they want the South, and they want value.
We analyzed interstate move searches made through moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator during June 2026 to find out which states and cities are drawing the most attention from prospective movers, and which ones people are leaving behind.
Here’s what the data shows.
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Top 10 most popular states to move to in June 2026
We compared the rate of inbound move searches (destination state) against outbound searches (origin state) to calculate each state’s in-to-out ratio. A ratio above 1.0 means more people are searching to move in than out.
| State | In-to-Out Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1. Florida | 1.79 |
| 2. Idaho | 1.70 |
| 3. South Carolina | 1.68 |
| 4. North Carolina | 1.42 |
| 5. Alabama | 1.33 |
| 6. Texas | 1.29 |
| 7. Tennessee | 1.25 |
| 8. Louisiana | 1.19 |
| 9. Kentucky | 1.17 |
| 10. Colorado | 1.17 |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
Florida leads June 2026 on every measure
Florida is the top destination state in June 2026 by ratio (1.79) and by net inbound volume, capturing nearly 40% of all net inbound move searches in the country. That’s an unusual combination. Most months, one state leads on ratio while another leads on volume. In June, Florida wins both.
The appeal is durable and well-documented: no state income tax, a housing market that still looks affordable compared to the Northeast and West Coast, warm weather year-round, and a range of metros from major cities to quiet coastal markets. Four Florida cities rank in the top 10 by in-to-out ratio, reflecting how distributed that interest is across the state.
Florida accounts for nearly 40% of all net inbound move searches in June 2026. Texas is second at 17.8%, followed by North Carolina at 10.7% and South Carolina at 8.3%. Together, those four states capture more than three-quarters of all net inbound demand.
| State | Share of Net Inbound Demand |
|---|---|
| Florida | 39.6% |
| Texas | 17.8% |
| North Carolina | 10.7% |
| South Carolina | 8.3% |
| Tennessee | 4.6% |
| Colorado | 3.6% |
| Idaho | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 3.5% |
| Nevada | 2.4% |
| Alabama | 2.3% |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
No state income tax (Florida, Tennessee, Texas), warm climates, and housing markets that still offer viable paths to ownership are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The pattern holds month to month: movers are chasing affordability plus lifestyle, and the Sun Belt keeps delivering both.
Idaho and South Carolina: strong ratios behind the leader
Idaho at #2 (1.70) and South Carolina at #3 (1.68) remain compelling destinations even with Florida pulling ahead. Idaho’s draw is centered on Boise and surrounding communities, which offer a combination of outdoor recreation, a growing tech job market, and home prices still well below major West Coast metros. South Carolina’s case hasn’t changed: no state income tax on Social Security, a stretch of coastline from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, and home prices that look affordable against the Northeast markets many movers are leaving.
Colorado enters the top 10 as Mountain West demand broadens
Colorado’s appearance at #10 (1.17) is a new development. Colorado Springs is the primary driver, posting a 1.81 in-to-out ratio on its own, with Denver also drawing meaningful inbound interest. The state’s appeal spans military families, Front Range residents looking to own rather than rent in Denver, and remote workers drawn to outdoor access without the cost of California or Pacific Northwest metros. Colorado’s 3.6% share of net inbound demand is notable for a state that has historically been more balanced.
Top 10 least popular states to move to in June 2026
The bottom 10 exit states in June reflect a clear regional pattern: the Northeast corridor and the D.C. metro are driving outbound intent more than any other part of the country. Connecticut holds the worst ratio, followed by D.C., Virginia, California, and New York. The most significant story here is Maryland, which ranked as a top-10 destination state in the prior dataset and has now flipped to an exit state at 0.70.
| State | In-to-Out Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1. Connecticut | 0.59 |
| 2. District of Columbia | 0.61 |
| 3. Virginia | 0.66 |
| 4. California | 0.68 |
| 5. New York | 0.69 |
| 6. Maryland | 0.70 |
| 7. Ohio | 0.75 |
| 8. New Jersey | 0.80 |
| 9. New Hampshire | 0.80 |
| 10. Kansas | 0.80 |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
Connecticut and D.C.: the Northeast-capital cluster
Connecticut holds the worst ratio in the country at 0.59, consistent with what moveBuddha has seen across recent months. High property taxes, elevated housing costs in Fairfield County, and a persistent exodus toward Southern and Mountain West destinations have made Connecticut a perennial top exit state. D.C. at #2 is a sharper signal than usual. Federal workforce uncertainty, rising housing costs in the metro area, and a shifting remote-work landscape are pushing more D.C.-area residents to evaluate their options. The capital’s ratio suggests significantly more outbound interest than inbound.
Maryland flips: from destination to exit state
The most notable shift in June’s state data is Maryland. In the prior dataset, Maryland ranked as a top-10 destination. In the current data, it sits at #6 on the exit list with a 0.70 ratio. Maryland and D.C. are closely linked markets, and the same federal workforce and cost-of-living pressures affecting D.C. appear to be driving outbound searches from Maryland as well. Virginia at #3 completes what is effectively a full D.C.-region sweep of the exit list.
California and New York: the perennial pair
California at #4 (0.68) and New York at #5 (0.69) are the most consistent exit states in moveBuddha’s data year over year. California generates the highest raw volume of outbound searches of any state. New York’s ratio reflects a sustained pattern of residents weighing lower-cost alternatives in the South and Southeast. Neither state’s story has changed materially in June what’s notable is that both remain in the bottom 10 even as the dataset has grown significantly larger.
Top 10 most popular cities to move to in June 2026
At the city level, Florida is the dominant story. Four of the top 10 cities by in-to-out ratio are in Florida, with South Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, and North Carolina making up the rest. Sarasota joins Ocala at the very top of the list, both posting identical ratios, which is notable for a market of Sarasota’s size.
| City, State | In-to-Out Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1. Ocala, FL | 8.33 |
| 2. Sarasota, FL | 8.33 |
| 3. St. Petersburg, FL | 5.83 |
| 4. Myrtle Beach, SC | 5.75 |
| 5. Arlington, TX | 4.75 |
| 6. Saint Paul, MN | 4.0 |
| 7. Frisco, TX | 3.14 |
| 8. Palm Coast, FL | 3.0 |
| 9. Cary, NC | 2.83 |
| 10. Boise, ID | 2.41 |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
Ocala and Sarasota: Florida’s two top-ranked cities are tied
Ocala and Sarasota share the top spot in June with identical 8.33 in-to-out ratios, an unusual occurrence that says something about where Florida movers are gravitating. Ocala has been a consistent relocation standout for the past two years, drawing retirees and remote workers priced out of Tampa and Orlando. Its median home price is roughly half of what Tampa buyers face, and it sits within driving distance of both Florida coasts. Sarasota tells a similar story at the higher-end of the market: Gulf Coast access, cultural amenities, and a price point that still looks manageable against Northeast metros. Both cities are benefiting from Florida’s statewide momentum.
St. Petersburg, Myrtle Beach, and the mid-tier coastal surge
St. Petersburg at #3 (5.83) adds a third Florida city to the top five, reflecting the broader Tampa Bay momentum rather than a single market. Myrtle Beach at #4 (5.75) is the top South Carolina city and one of the higher-volume markets on this list it’s not a small-sample outlier. The beach-and-affordability combination that has driven Myrtle Beach interest for years appears to be holding, even as South Carolina’s overall statewide ranking slipped to #3 this month.
Cary and Boise: the Research Triangle and Mountain West hold steady
Cary, NC returns to the top 10 at #9 (2.83), a sign that Research Triangle interest is durable even in a month when Charlotte and Raleigh didn’t crack the top list by ratio. Boise, ID at #10 (2.41) fits the Idaho state-level story: the Mountain West is drawing movers from California and the Pacific Northwest who want outdoor access, lower costs, and proximity to a growing job market without the price of a major metro.
Top 10 exit cities in June 2026
| City, State | In-to-Out Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1. Provo, UT | 0.04 |
| 2. Fremont, CA | 0.13 |
| 3. Alexandria, VA | 0.21 |
| 4. Rockville, MD | 0.29 |
| 5. Buffalo, NY | 0.40 |
| 6. Tallahassee, FL | 0.44 |
| 7. Ashburn, VA | 0.47 |
| 8. Bakersfield, CA | 0.47 |
| 9. Irvine, CA | 0.48 |
| 10. Birmingham, AL | 0.50 |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
Provo, Utah: the most lopsided exit ratio in June
Provo, Utah tops the exit city list in June with a 27:1 outbound-to-inbound ratio, the most imbalanced result of any qualifying city. Provo has one of the highest concentration of young adults and recent graduates of any mid-size city in the country, and its housing market has tightened considerably over the past few years. The data suggests more residents are weighing exits toward lower-cost Sun Belt markets or other Mountain West cities than are choosing to move in.
Virginia’s suburbs: Alexandria, Ashburn, and Rockville lead the D.C.-region exit
Alexandria at #3 (0.21) and Ashburn at #7 (0.47) join Rockville, MD at #4 (0.29) to paint a consistent picture of the D.C. metro: it’s generating far more outbound searches than inbound across multiple communities. These are affluent, expensive markets where remote work has reduced the need to stay close to D.C. employers, and residents appear to be acting on that flexibility. The pattern confirms what the state-level data shows for Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.: this is a regional story, not an isolated one.
California cities: Fremont, Bakersfield, and Irvine
Fremont (#2, 0.13), Bakersfield (#8, 0.47), and Irvine (#9, 0.48) give California three cities in the top 10 exit list, consistent with the state’s overall placement at #4 on the exit states ranking. These markets sit at different price points and serve different demographics, but all show the same pattern: more people are planning to leave than to arrive. Fremont, in particular, is a Bay Area city where housing costs remain among the highest in the country, and the exit interest there is unsurprising.
Most active states for local and short-distance moves in June 2026
Interstate moves get the headlines, but a significant portion of moveBuddha’s June search volume came from people planning local and short-distance moves within their own state. The state-level patterns for these searches tell a story of their own.
| State | Rank by Local Search Activity |
|---|---|
| 1. Texas | #1 |
| 2. California | #2 |
| 3. Florida | #3 |
| 4. North Carolina | #4 |
| 5. Virginia | #5 |
| 6. Pennsylvania | #6 |
| 7. Ohio | #7 |
| 8. New York | #8 |
| 9. Georgia | #9 |
| 10. Illinois | #10 |
Ratios show inbound searches ÷ outbound searches. Above 1.0 = more people moving in. Below 1.0 = more people moving out. Based on moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator data, June 2026.
Texas is the most active local moving market in June
Texas led all states for local and short-distance move searches in June. That’s consistent with its interstate numbers: Texas isn’t just attracting movers from other states. There’s constant movement within its major metros as people relocate between Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, or move to suburbs inside those markets.
California shows heavy internal churn despite its exit state status
California ranks #4 on the interstate exit list and #2 for local and intrastate activity. The two aren’t contradictory. The state is large enough to sustain significant internal movement even as net outmigration continues. People relocating from San Francisco to Sacramento, or from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire, show up as local or intrastate searches rather than interstate ones. June’s data shows that churn is still running at high volume.
North Carolina climbs to #4 for local activity
North Carolina’s #4 ranking for local search volume, alongside its #4 ranking for interstate inbound, suggests the state is absorbing new residents and reshuffling internally at the same time. Markets like the Research Triangle and Charlotte are drawing from out of state while also generating movement within the state people settling into new jobs, trading up in housing, or relocating from other parts of North Carolina to the hubs that are growing fastest.
Ohio and New York: high local volume in exit states
Ohio at #7 and New York at #8 for local move activity illustrate a pattern that’s easy to miss: even in states with net outbound interstate flows, local moving markets remain active. Ohio and New York are both large, densely populated states where people are moving within metro areas (Columbus to Cleveland suburbs, Manhattan to Brooklyn or Queens) even as a meaningful share of their residents plan to leave the state entirely. The local and interstate signals don’t cancel out; they reflect two different groups of movers.
What June 2026 moving trends tell us
June’s data reinforces what moveBuddha has seen across 2025 and into 2026: movers are following value. The states and cities drawing the most searches offer some combination of no income tax, lower housing costs, a growing job market, or warm weather, and ideally more than one of those things at once.
Florida’s dominance in June is the clearest single takeaway. Leading on both ratio and net inbound volume, with four cities in the top 10, the state isn’t just a consistent destination: it’s widening its lead. Idaho and South Carolina continue to draw strong interest at the state level, while Myrtle Beach, Cary, and Boise show that smaller markets within top-10 states are capturing real relocation intent.
Colorado’s entry into the top 10 and the continued strength of Carolinas markets like Cary suggest that Sunbelt and Mountain West demand isn’t narrowing; it’s spreading to more markets within those regions as movers look for affordable alternatives to the primary metros.
The exit patterns tell an equally clear story. The D.C. region has produced one of the most concentrated outbound signals in recent data, with Connecticut, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland all in the bottom 10 and Maryland making the sharpest flip, moving from a destination to an exit state. At the city level, Provo, the Virginia suburbs, and multiple California markets show where that outbound pressure is most acute: places where cost has clearly outrun the value proposition of staying.
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Methodology & Sources
This analysis uses moveBuddha proprietary data collected from searches made through the moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator during June 2026. The dataset covers interstate move searches, including both long-distance and short-haul interstate moves.
In-to-out ratio: The primary metric used throughout this report. It is calculated as:
[Number of searches for moves into a location] ÷ [Number of searches for moves out of a location] = In-to-out ratioA ratio above 1.0 indicates more inbound interest than outbound. A ratio below 1.0 indicates more people are searching to leave than to arrive.
What counts as a search: Each record represents a unique quote request submitted through the moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator. Searches are classified by stated origin and destination city/state. Only interstate searches are included in state and city rankings; local and intrastate moves are excluded from the in-to-out ratio calculations but are counted separately in the local moves section.
Minimum volume threshold: State rankings include only states with 20 or more combined inbound and outbound searches to reduce statistical noise from very small samples. City rankings include cities with 8 or more combined searches.
Net inbound volume: Calculated as total inbound searches minus total outbound searches for a given location. Percentage share represents each location’s portion of total net inbound searches across all states.
moveBuddha data reflects search intent, not confirmed moves. Searches represent prospective movers actively exploring relocation options and may not all result in a completed move.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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