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Better weather and climate risk drive more Americans to move out of state
In a Redfin survey of 4,000 people conducted in May 2026, 22% of planned out-of-state movers cited better weather and 21% pointed to natural-disaster and climate concerns.
More than one in five Americans planning an out-of-state move in the next year said better weather is a motivating factor, according to a Redfin survey conducted with Ipsos in May 2026. In the poll, 22% of respondents cited better weather as the top reason among 29 options, with concerns about natural disasters and climate risks close behind at 21%.
Redfin said the survey question was geared to people likely to move within 12 months, and respondents could select multiple reasons. For those planning a move within their home state, Redfin reported that upgrading to a better home or neighborhood and moving for more space were the most common factors.
Redfin migration data highlighted a pattern of movers shifting from northern metros to warmer, sunnier destinations, listing Florida, Las Vegas, and Sacramento among popular areas. For out-of-state destinations, 14% of respondents planning to leave their state said they were moving to Florida, followed by Texas at 13% and California at 11%.
Redfin also connected weather to affordability and destination appeal, noting Orlando, Florida as an example, where the typical home sells for $411,000, about half of the typical home price in New York, identified as the most common out-of-state origin for people moving to Orlando. Redfin Economist Yingqi Xu said many movers look for locations that match their ideal lifestyle, and weather can meaningfully influence that decision.