Boomers and Gen X Relocate to Sun Belt States in 2026

Baby Boomers and Generation X continue to represent a significant portion of the U.S. housing market, with data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicating that for the year ending June 2025, Boomers constituted 42% of all homebuyers and 55% of all home sellers. Generation X accounted for 25% of buyers and 23% of sellers during the same period. While many in these demographics tend to move locally, a notable segment is relocating to different cities and states in pursuit of greater affordability, proximity to family, or a change of scenery during retirement. The 2026 Midyear Migration Trends report, released by U-Haul in late July, highlights that states in the Southeast and the Sun Belt are the primary destinations for Boomers and Gen Xers undertaking one-way moves in the year concluding June 2026. HousingWire Data conducted an analysis of ten major inbound metropolitan areas favored by these age groups, as identified in the U-Haul report. This analysis provides crucial insights into home prices, sales volumes, and housing supply dynamics, intended to assist housing professionals, including reverse mortgage originators, in identifying and capitalizing on business opportunities. The HousingWire Data examination focused on six key metrics for single-family homes: median list prices, annual price appreciation or depreciation, estimated weekly sales volume, median time on market, and months of housing inventory relative to the current sales pace. The data was current as of August 8. Furthermore, the analysis incorporated a Market Action Index (MAI) rating, where scores exceeding 30 suggest conditions favorable to sellers, while scores below 30 indicate a buyer's market. Among the metropolitan areas experiencing substantial inbound migration from Boomers and Gen Xers, Wilmington, North Carolina, recorded the most significant year-over-year price decrease at -9.3%. In contrast, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the sole market to exhibit substantial price growth, with an increase of +3.6%. Phoenix, the most populous metropolitan area within the dataset, led in sales activity, with an estimated 1,673 weekly sales. The analysis also considered factors such as median days on market and months of inventory, providing a comprehensive view of the housing market conditions in these popular relocation destinations for older Americans.