For any Lone Star residents bemoaning the rampant influx of newcomers to the state in recent years, a new study spells some reprieve: Texas isn’t in the Top 10 move-to states in the U.S. so far this year, instead eclipsed by an eclectic mix of western, northeastern and fellow southern counterparts.
An April 2026 report released by MoveBuddha analyzed search data and outlined which U.S. states are driving the relocation scene and which states are lacking quite the same draw. Its findings? Idaho topped the list as the No. 1 spot for moves during the first part of 2026, with the Gem State capturing its highest ratio of new residents since 2020. Rounding out the Top 10 included South Carolina (No. 2), Alaska (No. 3), Montana (No. 4), North Carolina (No. 5), Maine (No. 6), Florida and Tennessee (tied at No. 7), Alabama (No. 9) and Arkansas (No. 10).
Amid years of spiked interest and rapid population growth, Texas landed at No. 17 on MoveBuddha’s analysis, with a move-in-to-move-out ratio of 1.22 newcomers for every person leaving the Lone Star State. That marked a sizeable dip from 2021’s peak, when Texas was operating on a ratio of 1.68 newcomers to every one person leaving.
In terms of cities, Texas still had a strong showing among prospective movers, with Frisco clocking in at No. 14 for the cities with the highest inbound volumes. Conversely, Arlington was a popular exit destination, with a 61 to 100 ratio of people moving in versus out of the city.