Despite a global pandemic, an airtight housing market, and a supply shortage, Americans still want to find a new place to call home this year. In a turbulent market, it’s best for you to be informed. Take a quick look at our 2022 Moving Forecast to learn more about what to expect in what’s sure to be a wild year!

WHO’S TRYING TO MOVE?
A large share of Americans have their sights set on a new home. According to LendingTree, almost 40% of Americans are thinking about moving in 2022. Over the past few years, aging Millennials have been the driving force behind a massive spike in the demand for homes. Gen Z is also reaching the age when most Americans move out of their parents’ houses.
Percentage of Americans who are thinking about moving in 2022:
• Gen Z: 62%
• Millennials: 53%
• Gen X: 32%
• Baby Boomers: 17%
The pandemic has also created a renewed desire to move. More than half of all renters and remote workers are pondering a new place to stay. Parents with young children also want their piece of the pie.
Percentage of Americans who are thinking about moving in 2022:
• Remote Workers: 53%
• Renters: 52%
• Owners: 28%
• Parents with young children: 50%

WHY DO THEY WANT MOVE?
Size matters. That’s how most Americans feel about their current housing prospects. The biggest reason behind the decision to move is gaining more space. This can be attributed to growing families, working from home, and new projects. The second most common reason folks want to move is to own their first home. That just goes to show you how many homebuyers are entering the market! Cost-saving measures also play a vital role in a person’s choice to find a new place to live.
Why Americans want to move in 2022:
• Want more space: 26%
• Want to purchase a new home: 17%
• Current home is too expensive: 16%
• Want different features: 16%
• Want lower cost of living: 15%

WHERE ARE THEY MOVING?
Some of the most common moving destinations are no-brainers. Florida and California always pull Americans in droves. However, you’ll notice many of those marquee states also ranked highly when it comes to the states Americans moved out of in 2021. According to Move.org, California is the third most popular moving destination, but it’s also the state people are moving out of the most.
Where people moved to the most in 2021:
- Florida
- Texas
- California
- North Carolina
- Colorado
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Washington
- New York
- South Carolina
Where people moved from the most in 2021:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Illinois
- Florida
- Washington
- Colorado
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Oregon

HOW FAR ARE THEY MOVING?
Americans don’t like to be uprooted from their hometowns. The vast majority of moves still happen within the same city or state. Only 1 in 5 people moved out of state in 2021. Even fewer decide to relocate to another country.
How far people moved in 2021:
• Within Same City: 43%
• Within Same State: 35%
• Out-of-State: 20%
• International: 2%

WHEN DO THEY WANT TO MOVE?
There’s a reason they call it “moving season”. The annual moving season occurs between April and October. The lion’s share of moves (some estimates say up to 80%) happen during this time period. Summer breaks at schools and colleges play a big factor in the moving season, because it is when most Americans have enough free time to move.