The biggest relocation story of 2026 isn’t just about famous big cities—smaller and mid-sized places are attracting people looking for affordability and a different pace of life.
1. Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach and Wilmington ranked No. 1 for move-ins in PODS’ 2026 data, holding the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. The area continues to attract movers looking for lower costs and coastal living.
2. Ocala
Ocala, Florida, ranked No. 2 for move-ins for the third straight year. Florida had four cities in PODS’ top 20, showing that interest in the state remains strong despite its increasingly high housing costs.
3. Greenville-Spartanburg
This South Carolina region ranked No. 5 nationally for move-ins, ahead of much larger cities. South Carolina also had the highest move-in-to-out ratio in moveBuddha’s 2026 data, at 2.02.
4. Boise
Boise held the No. 7 position among America’s top move-in destinations in the 2026 PODS rankings. It has now remained in the top 10 despite the broader slowdown in Americans relocating.
5. Knoxville
Knoxville ranked No. 8 for move-ins, continuing a multi-year streak among popular relocation destinations. Tennessee had four cities in PODS’ top 20, tying Florida for the most.
6. Indianapolis
The Midwest is quietly gaining ground. Bank of America found Indianapolis among the metros with strong inflows in early 2026, as more movers prioritize affordability while staying closer to their existing region.
7. Columbus
Columbus is another unexpected Midwest winner. Bank of America identified Columbus as one of the metros seeing strong inflows, part of a broader pattern in which Americans are moving less far but still switching cities for better value.
Sources:
- PODS, 2026 Moving Trends Report (Pods)
- moveBuddha, Moving Trends in 2026 (moveBuddha)
- Bank of America Institute, On the Move: Closer to Home (institute.bankofamerica.com)