Where Are Americans Moving?
Americans are moving for all kinds of reasons: finding affordable housing, finding climate-safe markets, or just moving for a lifestyle change. Understanding where homebuyers are moving—and why—can help builders meet their demands.
A recent survey from Clever Real Estate shows that 75% of Americans are happy with where they live, but 59% still say they could be convinced to move to a new city or state in search of better opportunities.
What are Americans moving for?
A majority of Americans agree that the most desirable places to live are affordable and have low crime rates, but there are slight variations depending on the generation. For instance Baby Boomers are much more likely to rate low crime rates as important. Of those surveyed, 78% of Boomers said low crime rate is the most desirable trait, compared with 49% of Millennials and 39% of Gen Z.
Meanwhile, younger generations tend to prioritize affordability, with 53% of Millennials and 45% of Gen Zers marking low cost of living as the most desirable trait for a community to have.
Which cities are the most desirable?
When asked which cities they found the most desirable to live in, Nashville came out on top with 21.4% of respondents saying it’s the most desirable city in the U.S. for the second year in a row. Denver took the second spot, followed by San Diego, Charlotte, N.C., and then Seattle.
Which cities are the least desirable?
Honolulu was ranked the least desirable place to live, followed by Colorado Springs, Colo., Tucson, Ariz., Winston-Salem, N.C., and then Charleston, S.C.
About the Author

Catherine Sweeney, Content Strategist/Staff Writer
Catherine Sweeney is a content strategist and staff writer for Pro Builder and Custom Builder Online, with a focus on design trends, new products, and environmental issues. Contact her at csweeney@endeavorb2b.com.
