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Boomers and Gen X relocating to the Sun Belt reshapes 2026 markets
HousingWire data through Aug. 8 shows inventory ranges from 2.1 to 4.3 months in key inbound metros, with a Market Action Index threshold of 30 separating buyer favor from seller favor.
HousingWire reports that its analysis of 10 metro areas identified where baby boomers and Gen X movers are concentrating for one-way relocations heading into 2026, using price, sales, and supply indicators for single-family homes.
Using U-Haul’s 2026 Midyear Migration Trends report as the mover source, the analysis found that market conditions varied across metros, with months of inventory at the current sales pace ranging from 2.1 to 4.3 months. HousingWire also tracked a Market Action Index, where scores above 30 indicate more favorable conditions for sellers and scores below 30 favor buyers.
Across the metros with large inbound move counts, Wilmington, North Carolina, showed the steepest year-over-year price decline at minus 9.3%, while Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the only market in the dataset with meaningful price appreciation at plus 3.6%. HousingWire data was current as of Aug. 8.
HousingWire noted that Phoenix led the group with an estimated 1,673 weekly sales, while Daytona Beach, Florida, had the softest conditions with 4.3 months of supply and an MAI of 27.7, suggesting a buyer-leaning environment. The analysis also highlighted Spokane, Washington, as having the fastest-moving market despite recent wildfires.