The U.S. Metros Where Homeowners Are Staying the Longest—and Those They’re Leaving the Fastest

Over the past several years, some homeowners have taken advantage of remote work flexibilities and relocated to more desirable communities, while others have been locked in by higher mortgage rates and larger fees in an inflated market. In metros like McAllen, TX and New York, NY, homeowners stick around for close to a decade, on average, but the reasons why couldn’t be more different, according to Realtor.com. 

While New York is home to a diverse melting pot of residents competing for homes with a $699,000 median list price, McAllen is situated on the U.S.-Mexico border with a median home list price of just $277,000. On the contrary, Colorado Springs, CO is home to a large military population with a number of bases in the surrounding area, meaning that its residents stick around for roughly 5 years on average.

There’s an Army and Air Force base, plus a Space Force base and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), embedded inside Cheyenne Mountain just to the southwest of Colorado Springs.

While more senior military members can enjoy longer assignments to a single location, often younger military members are moved to where they’re needed, meaning a sometimes short stay in any given place.

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