This State Ranks No. 1 for Moving-and Home Prices Are Expected to Fall in 2026

"Although the national median home price is expected to rise by about 2.2 percent according to Realtor.com's 2026 National Housing Forecast, Florida's largest metro areas are forecast to see average price declines of roughly 1.9 percent—an unusual divergence. Per the company, the sharpest price corrections are expected along Florida's Gulf Coast. Markets such as Cape Coral-Fort Myers and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton are projected to post some of the largest year-over-year declines in the country."

"Each year, roughly 25 to 30 million people relocate within the U.S., driven by a blend of lifestyle aspirations, job changes, retirement plans, and—more than anything else—the cost of buying a home. Looking ahead to 2026, one state stands out as offering a rare convergence of opportunity and appeal: Florida."

"Based on 617 Boston Movers' analysis of national relocation search trends, interest in moving to Florida is most concentrated in states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Ohio, suggesting that residents in higher-cost markets are already researching what it would take to make the move."

Florida emerges as a unique opportunity for American relocators in 2026, with projected home price declines contrasting against national price increases. Approximately 25 to 30 million Americans relocate annually, primarily driven by housing affordability concerns. A 617 Boston Movers study analyzing Realtor forecasts and relocation search data identifies Florida's largest metro areas as projected to see average price declines of roughly 1.9 percent, while the national median home price is expected to rise 2.2 percent. Gulf Coast markets like Cape Coral-Fort Myers and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton face the sharpest corrections following years of rapid appreciation during the remote-work boom. Rising inventory outpacing demand is reshaping buyer behavior, with significant interest from residents in high-cost states including New York, California, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

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