Cities and States People Are Leaving in 2026 — And What’s Driving the Moves

If you're wondering about cities and states people are leaving in 2026, PODS' latest Moving Trends report provides some answers. Los Angeles remains the number one move-out market, followed by South Florida and Northern California, while Washington, DC, jumped from number 14 to number four.

Affordability appears to play a major role, with PODS' Moving Mindset Study finding that 58 percent of respondents consider it when choosing where to live. Connection is another major player, with 41 percent of respondents saying proximity to family, friends, or support systems influenced their moves. But what else is driving these moves? Here's a look at the five markets at the top of the list.

Why Are People Leaving These Top 5 Cities and States?

Housing costs, everyday expenses, taxes, insurance, employment, and quality of life are a few more factors that can all influence a move. So, are people moving out of cities simply because they're tired of urban life? Not necessarily. PODS' research points more toward affordability and changing priorities.

1. Los Angeles, California

• Average home value: $929,600
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,550
• Cost of living: 161.7, or 61.7% above the national average

Los Angeles has held the number one spot on the PODS move-out list for five consecutive years. Steadily increasing housing prices can help explain why so many Angelenos are leaving Los Angeles.

Housing alone can consume a large portion of a household budget — especially in a city where the average home value is $561,000 above the national average. Add to that everyday expenses and a cost of living almost 72 percent above the national average index, and it’s easy for costs to add up. For many, a lower-cost market means the same paycheck goes considerably further. It's a squeeze that has kept Los Angeles at the top of the list year after year.

2. South Florida

• Average Miami home value: $580,900
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,450
• Cost of living: 118.9, or 18.9% above the national average

South Florida, represented by the Miami market, moved from number three to number two on the 2026 PODS Moving Trends list. Miami’s home values run well below those in Los Angeles, but housing isn’t the only expense pressuring South Florida residents. Miami’s cost of living is also 15.8 percent above the rest of Florida’s. Plus, Florida’s home insurance costs are double the national rate — and that number only goes up the closer you are to the coast.

3. Northern California

• Average San Francisco home value: $1.4M
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,850
• Cost of living: 245.5, or 145.5% above the national average

Northern California, represented by the San Francisco market, ranked number three. Its housing market remains one of the country's most expensive. With San Francisco home values exceeding $1.4 million and rents for a one-bedroom apartment approaching $4,000 per month, relocating can give residents considerably more housing for their money.

That gap between what a household pays here and what it could pay elsewhere helps explain why the region ranks so high. Even a move just four hours northwest to Reno, NV, boasts an average home value over $841,000 lower than San Francisco’s.

Washington, DC, is among the top cities people are moving out of, with residents citing high housing costs and job losses as reasons to move.

4. Washington, DC

• Average home value: $570,100
• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,300
• Unemployment rate: 5.9% as of July 2026

Washington, DC, made the biggest move up the PODS list, jumping 10 spots to number four. It’s one of the most notable changes in this year’s rankings. DC’s average home value is among the lowest among the top six markets on this list — but it’s still higher than the national average — so housing costs don’t tell the full story here. Alongside them, the region’s federal workforce fell to its lowest level in three decades, with a loss of over 100,000 jobs from May 2025 to May 2026 alone.

5. Long Island, New York

• Median home sale price: $800,000
• Average rent (all sizes): $2,775
• Cost of living: 147.1, or 47.1% above the national average

Long Island remained among the highest-ranking PODS move-out markets in 2026. Living on Long Island offers proximity to New York City, but that convenience comes with high housing costs. Suffolk County's home values are lower than those in San Francisco or Los Angeles, but they still put pressure on many households. Residents with more flexibility may find that moving farther from the metro area provides more space for their money.

Other Markets People Are Leaving

Beyond the top five, the remaining markets in PODS’ top 20 include Central Jersey, Boston, Hudson, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Baltimore, Stockton-Modesto, Santa Barbara, San Diego, El Paso, Bakersfield, Fresno, Hartford, and Memphis. Central Jersey held its number six position from 2025, Boston moved up from number eight to number seven, and Chicago ranked ninth. Together, these cities and states people are leaving show that move-out activity isn’t limited to one region of the country.

What States Are People Moving Out Of?

If you're wondering what states people are moving out of, California stands out, with seven markets in PODS' top 20. New York has two, while New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Texas, Connecticut, and Tennessee are also represented. It’s worth noting, however, that these cities and states people are leaving reflect PODS customer activity rather than overall population loss.

How PODS Helps With a Long-Distance Move

For people relocating from the cities and states people are leaving, PODS can make the transition more flexible. Instead of squeezing everything into one hectic moving day, you can pack and load on your schedule and take the time you need. If your new home isn't ready when you are, built-in storage options can also help bridge the gap between homes. With flexible scheduling and moving and storage in one solution, PODS can make settling into your next city a little easier.

2026 Moving Trends — FAQs

Q: What is the No. 1 state people are moving out of?
A: California has the strongest representation in PODS' 2026 move-out data, with seven markets in the top 20.

Q: What are the top 10 reasons people move to a new place?
A: Common reasons include high housing costs, overall cost of living, wanting a better home, employment changes, proximity to family and friends, safety, quality of life, household changes, access to services, and lifestyle preferences. PODS found that affordability was a key consideration for 58 percent of respondents and proximity to family, friends, or support systems for 41 percent.

Q: What are the top 5 states people are moving away from?
A: PODS ranks markets rather than states, so there isn't an official top-five state ranking. Among the states people are moving out of represented in the top 20 are California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Q: What cities are most people leaving?
A: The top cities people are moving out of include Los Angeles, South Florida, Northern California, Washington, DC, Long Island, Central Jersey, Boston, Hudson Valley, Chicago, and San Diego. Los Angeles has ranked number one for five consecutive years.

PODS makes moving flexible — whether you’re moving from the cities and states people are leaving or blazing your own trail.

Ready for Your Next Move With PODS?

Whether you're moving on from one of these cities for more affordability, family, or a change of pace, PODS gives you flexibility with portable moving containers delivered right to your driveway. You can load on your schedule and get packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting. Once you’re ready, you can then have your container delivered to your new home or stored at a PODS Storage Center until you're ready for it.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote, or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”) is the owner of this publication. The information and opinions expressed are based on data provided by PODS and publicly available information from competing moving and storage providers. All comparisons and pricing references in this post are based on information available as of September 2026. PODS Enterprises, LLC does not guarantee the accuracy of third-party data or that competitor pricing or service offerings remain the same after this date. This post is for informational and marketing purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement or statement of fact regarding any competitor’s current business practices.}