Remote Work & the Migration Boom: Which Cities Are Winning?

Remote work is redrawing the American housing map. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 36 million Americans moved, according to U.S. Census data. Many of these moves were sparked by the rise of remote work, paired with the search for affordability, space, and lifestyle upgrades in the best cities for remote work.

This shift has created two distinct groups of markets. On one side are “sending” cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, where high costs and dense living push residents to relocate. On the other side are “receiving” destinations like Austin, Tampa, Boise, and Raleigh, where lower taxes, growing job markets, and better quality of life are attracting new residents at a record pace.

For real estate agents, these changes bring both opportunity and pressure. Agents in departure markets are navigating declining demand and the challenge of marketing to long-distance buyers. Agents in destination markets are adapting to fast-growing populations, rising prices, and heightened competition. In both cases, understanding migration patterns is essential for staying competitive.

The Cities Winning (and Losing) the Remote Work Migration

The shift to remote workers has reshaped U.S. migration, creating new winners and redefining real estate demand. The best cities for remote work offer a better work-life balance, lower costs, and are in tax-friendly states. As a result, remote workers are drawn to Sun Belt and suburban markets, while high-cost metros face outflow as residents and buyers reevaluate priorities. Real estate agents can leverage these patterns to guide clients and position listings strategically.

Top Gaining Markets

The pandemic and the rise of remote workers accelerated population shifts into cities that offer affordability, livability, and economic opportunity. Many of these metros saw stronger growth rates than larger coastal hubs, fueled by inbound migration from expensive states. Post-pandemic housing trends see these cities winning from remote work migration:

Austin, TX

Austin is a major city that has become one of the nation’s most dynamic housing markets, growing nearly 11 percent since 2020. The metro now exceeds 2.4 million residents, fueled by a growing tech sector, lifestyle appeal, and relative affordability compared to more economically prominent coastal hubs. Remote professionals are choosing Austin for its job market and high quality of life, even as housing costs rise and drive down affordability.

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio gained more than 74,000 residents between 2020 and 2024, the largest net increase of any U.S. city during that period. Families are drawn to its affordable housing, expanding job opportunities, and slower pace of life compared to Austin or Dallas. The fast-growing Austin–San Antonio corridor also strengthens its role as a regional magnet for new residents.

Raleigh-Durham, NC

Raleigh-Durham, known as the Research Triangle, has academia plus steady job growth in the technology and healthcare private sectors. Raleigh alone added more than 14,000 residents since 2020, and the wider region continues to expand as companies embrace hybrid and remote workers. Affordability, quality schools, and lifestyle amenities make the area one of the most attractive destinations for relocating families.

Tampa, FL

Tampa’s metro population has surpassed 3 million, fueled by inbound migration from the Northeast and Midwest. The city’s appeal lies in its favorable tax structure (Florida has no state income tax) along with warm weather and a strong housing pipeline. Remote professionals and retirees are driving demand, which has reshaped both the housing and rental markets.

Miami, FL

Miami’s metro area grew from about 6.22 million residents in 2022 to roughly 6.37 million in 2025. While housing is more expensive than in other Florida metros, Miami attracts a diverse global mix of newcomers due to its international culture, favorable tax climate, and role as a financial hub. The city also benefits from significant immigration, adding another layer of growth alongside domestic migration.

Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City blends access to outdoor recreation with a growing tech industry, recently referred to as “Silicon Slopes.” The metro area reached about 1.23 million residents in 2025, reflecting consistent year-over-year growth. Remote professionals are drawn to its relative affordability compared to Denver or San Francisco, along with strong broadband infrastructure and a balanced mix of urban and suburban options.

Boise, ID

Boise became a poster child for remote work migration during the early pandemic years. Its affordable housing, mountain lifestyle, and some expanding job opportunities made it one of the most searched relocation destinations on Redfin and Zillow. Although growth has moderated since the initial surge (1.26%), the city continues to attract newcomers at rates above pre-pandemic norms and above national averages.

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga has emerged as a migration hotspot thanks to a unique combination of affordability and infrastructure. The city invested early in gig-speed internet, making it especially appealing for remote workers. Combined with access to outdoor amenities and a lower cost of living than larger Southern metros, Chattanooga has steadily grown as a destination for digital professionals and young families.

Together, these gaining markets highlight how mid-sized cities and affordable metros are reshaping the U.S. housing map. Agents in these regions are managing higher demand, faster-moving inventory, and an influx of buyers from across the country.

Markets with Net Outflow

Some of the nation’s largest and most expensive metropolitan areas have faced a steady outflow of residents as they pursue affordability and space elsewhere. While remote work opened doors for relocation, these cities remain important cultural and economic hubs, and many are showing signs of rebound through immigration and suburban migration growth.

San Francisco Bay Area

The Bay Area experienced a significant outflow between 2020 and 2022, as high housing costs, heavy taxes, and the flexibility of remote work encouraged residents to relocate. San Francisco itself has a current annual decline of -2.6% and a decrease of -11.78% since the 2020 census. Many relocated to Texas, Florida, and the Mountain West. However, even more remote workers have relocated to other counties of the Bay Area, like Contra Costa, Marin, San Jose, and Napa County. Although the region has lost domestic population, the AI boom and tech-sector recovery are seeing the population once again increase.

New York City, NY

New York lost over a hundred thousand residents during the 2020-2021 period, with many moving to nearby states like New Jersey and Connecticut, or heading south to Florida. However, many residents have since returned, and the city was only in negative growth for one year. Immigration has contributed to a surge in population numbers since 2023, and demand in suburban and tertiary markets remains robust.

Los Angeles, CA

The city of Los Angeles experienced a significant outflow of residents as they sought more affordable housing. However, the Los Angeles metro continues to gain in population, as it’s a powerful draw for entertainment, tech, and culture. Surrounding suburbs and satellite cities are absorbing many former residents, keeping regional demand stable, and prices continue rising.

Chicago, IL

Chicago has seen sustained population decline, driven by concerns over taxes, cost of living, and economic stagnation. In 2024, it hit its lowest population since 1920, dropping to 2.66 million. Yet, suburban areas around the metro continue to grow modestly, offering affordable alternatives to city living. In May of 2025, the Census Bureau estimated that Chicago’s population was once again on the rise, increasing by about 22,000.

While these metros lost population at their core (for a time), they continue to evolve. Immigration, suburban expansion, and economic revival are reshaping demand in ways that present ongoing opportunities for agents. All still remain incredibly strong economies with housing markets that continue to see price appreciation. Meanwhile, many of the cities that experienced population growth during the pandemic are seeing their housing markets soften.

How Remote Work Reshaped Buyer Preferences

When offices shut down and commutes disappeared, households began to see their living spaces in a new light. The home was no longer just a place to return to after work; it became the office, the classroom, the gym, and the primary setting for daily life.

Space

One of the clearest changes is the growing demand for features in their home. Primarily, buyers begin prioritizing dedicated work areas. A spare bedroom that doubles as a home office, a finished basement with room for desks, or even a quiet nook with natural light now adds measurable value to a property. Outdoor space has also taken on new weight in purchase decisions. Yards, patios, and community green spaces are seen as essential for balance and well-being, especially for families with children, but even for singles and couples. After years of restrictions, buyers want the freedom to step outside while still having privacy.

Balance

But demand shifts haven’t been limited to the home. Affordability, lifestyle, and long-term quality of life have also risen to the forefront. Buyers leaving high-cost metros are often seeking not just cheaper housing but a more balanced life with shorter school runs, safer neighborhoods, and access to cultural or recreational amenities. Families, in particular, are placing greater emphasis on school quality and healthcare access when choosing where to settle, signaling that these aren’t short-term moves but long-term investments in community and stability.

Commute

Lastly, long commutes are no longer as tolerable, while commuting has lost much of its influence on housing choice. Where proximity to a downtown office once dictated value, today’s buyers who don’t need to be in the office every day (or ever) are looking for larger homes, better schools, or stronger communities. This has fueled suburban expansion and growth in satellite cities where quality of life outweighs daily access to a city center.

What we experience now are consumers who are more intentional and value-driven in their housing choices. They heavily consider what their current lifestyle requires, but also plan for future changes. For agents, tuning into these motivations helps build trust and provides the understanding needed to guide clients through decisions that feel as personal as they are financial.

Agent Strategies for “Sending” Markets

Agents in “sending” markets face the challenge of marketing homes to buyers who may be hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Many of these markets are experiencing a shift in their demographics, pushed by industry requirements and population shifts. Fortunately, these real estate markets remain strong and competitive. However, to succeed, listings need to stand out digitally and appeal to audiences that view properties remotely.

The following strategies help agents in these markets serve sellers more effectively:

Stage for the Screen

Invest in professional photography, virtual staging, and detailed floor plans so long-distance buyers can evaluate the property with confidence.

Offer Relocation Resources

Provide referrals to moving companies, partner agents in destination cities, and services that make interstate moves easier.

Leverage Technology

Use virtual tours, remote showings, and digital closing tools to expand the buyer pool beyond local prospects.

Highlight Lifestyle Value

Market properties in terms of cultural assets, rental demand, or second-home appeal to attract investors and buyers seeking a foothold in major metros.

This approach ensures that even in markets with net outflow, agents can position properties competitively and continue to deliver results for sellers.

Agent Strategies for “Receiving” Markets

Markets attracting inbound real estate migration trends often face rapid changes in supply and demand. Some metros are still seeing price appreciation, while others are experiencing softening values as new inventory enters the pipeline. Agents serve their clients best when they provide clear, data-driven insights into these dynamics. Explaining how new construction, resale competition, and local demand affect pricing helps buyers set realistic expectations and make informed choices.

At the same time, relocation clients and remote workers arrive with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. They want homes that fit their lifestyles, but they also need reassurance that their investment makes sense in the local market. Agents who balance these priorities stand out. The following strategies can help real estate agents serve their clients:

Market the Lifestyle

Highlight what makes the city unique, such as its walkability, outdoor recreation options, remote work amenities, family-friendly neighborhoods, or cultural opportunities. Buyers relocating for quality of life want to envision themselves in the community as much as in the property.

Guide on Affordability and Timing

In metros where values are adjusting, help clients weigh whether a home meets lifestyle priorities without overextending financially. Clear education about local pricing trends builds confidence and positions the agent as a trusted advisor.

Get Certified in Relocation Services

A relocation certification signals credibility and prepares agents to address the needs of out-of-state buyers who require extra support during the moving process.

Partner with Local Businesses

Collaborating with schools, gyms, or service providers to create welcome packages helps buyers feel connected from the very start.

Target Outbound Markets with Geo-focused Marketing

Use SEO and social media campaigns to reach prospects in sending cities such as New York or Los Angeles who are actively searching for homes in more affordable metros.

By blending lifestyle marketing with financial guidance, agents in receiving markets can deliver a balanced perspective. The best agents make relocation seamless by addressing both the excitement of a new start and the practical realities of cost, schools, and long-term value.

What Buyers Care About Most in Migration Hotspots

When professionals relocate, seeking cities where they can flourish as remote workers, they are not only comparing homes but also evaluating the stability and livability of an entire region. Relocating households often arrive with questions about both lifestyle and long-term investment value. They want to know how costs stack up against their previous city, whether the community will support their needs, and how resilient the market is to future risks. The following considerations consistently shape buyer decisions in migration hotspots:

• State and local tax policies
• Property tax rates
• Insurance availability
• Climate risk
• Broadband infrastructure
• Housing availability (both permanent and flexible)

By addressing these concerns directly, agents demonstrate expertise and earn trust. Buyers relocating into new markets rely heavily on their agent’s knowledge to navigate costs, evaluate risks, and find a home that feels both financially sound and personally fulfilling.

Data-Driven Insights to Watch

Remote work migration trends shift quickly, and the agents who stay ahead are those who track reliable data. National surveys, moving indexes, and corporate policy announcements reveal where demand is building and where it may cool. By paying attention to these signals, agents can anticipate client questions and position themselves as trusted advisors.

Key sources to watch include:

• U-Haul Growth Index
  Tracks one-way rental truck moves, often providing early clues about where households are relocating before official Census data is available.
• Zillow search trends
  Online searches reveal buyer intent well before contracts are signed. Monitoring where searches are rising gives agents an edge in anticipating hot markets.
• IRS interstate migration data
  Tracks where households are filing taxes after moving, offering a reliable view of long-term shifts in population and wealth.
• Census Bureau migration surveys
  Provides official figures on annual moves, including demographic details that highlight which groups are driving relocation trends.
• Employer remote work policies
  Announcements from companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon influence demand across regions. Hybrid requirements may push employees back toward urban cores, while permanent remote policies sustain suburban and secondary market growth.

Third-party insights provide the most reliable data on where buyers are likely to head next. Agents who incorporate this data into their market knowledge are better equipped to advise clients on both short-term opportunities and long-term investments.

The FastExpert Advantage in Migration Markets

Migration has shaken up the market for real estate professionals. Agents must adapt by reaching new demographics and presenting properties in ways that appeal to a wide range of buyer preferences. Success depends on visibility, credibility, and a strong professional network that allows agents to capture opportunities on both sides of the migration flow.

FastExpert provides that foundation. With a coast-to-coast platform, agents can stay visible to both outbound and inbound movers. Verified profiles showcase expertise in relocation and market trends, making it easier for buyers and sellers to find the right professional. FastExpert’s referral system also connects agents across markets, creating seamless handoffs that serve clients wherever they move.

Agents who highlight their relocation expertise on FastExpert gain a competitive edge. They can demonstrate local insight, attract clients searching from across the country, and build long-term relationships that generate repeat business. In a market shaped by mobility, FastExpert helps agents stay connected to opportunity.