10 Cities Homeowners Are Fleeing (and Where They’re Going)

Despite a steady housing market, some cities are seeing residents move away for different opportunities or more affordable options to get ahead financially.

So, which cities are still seeing a decline in homeowners, and where are they moving to instead? Check this list to see how unpopular your city may be as a destination for homeowners.

The data is based on information from Redfin, which measured the net outflow of residents looking to leave an area compared with searchers looking to move in.

Net outflow: 1,500

Philadelphia might be the city of the Brotherly Shove instead of Brotherly Love, with residents leaving it behind.

Instead, residents are driving about three hours south to Salisbury, Maryland, to find a new home. 

The city is in a great central location between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, giving Philly homeowners a more relaxed option and potentially a great retirement home.

Net outflow: 1,600

Seattle is a great option, especially if you want a tech job with a major company, as the area serves as the headquarters for Microsoft and Amazon. You can also get a job at the headquarters of Starbucks, Costco, or other major companies.

But it comes at a cost, namely in the form of expensive housing. The median sale price for a home in August was $845,000, which may be why residents are leaving for more affordable options like Spokane or warmer options like Phoenix.

Net outflow: 3,400

Denver’s housing market can be expensive for new buyers or buyers who want to relocate to the area, which could be one reason Denver is seeing an outflow.

The median sale price for a home in Denver was $585,000 in August compared with a national median sale price of $432,961 over the same period.

Denver residents are most likely to move to Chicago, especially if they’re looking for a bargain. In August, the median sale price for a home in the Windy City was $364,000.

Net outflow: 4,200

Detroit saw a decline in home buyers, with more wanting to move elsewhere rather than stay in the Motor City.

The top destination for Detroiters was Washington, D.C., which may be surprising considering the high cost of housing there. The median sale price for a home in Detroit was $95,000 compared with a whopping $630,000 in the nation’s capital.

Net outflow: 7,300

Chicago is well known for being the Windy City and that wind may be blowing some residents out.

The city’s median sale price was $364,000 in August, according to Redfin, but that price can vary widely depending on where you live in Chicago.

Instead, residents want to relocate to Cape Coral, Florida, over any other city. One reason may be the weather, which is much nicer in the winter in Florida than in Chicago.

Net outflow: 7,800

Boston has switched from ditching tea to ditching residents, with 7,800 more of them considering moving out than moving in.

One big factor may be costs. In August, the median sale price for a home in Boston, for example, was $799,999. The state also has the fourth-highest cost of living index, at 155.9.

On the other hand, Maine's cost of living index is 111.3, which can be inviting to former Boston residents who choose Portland, Maine, over other cities as the one they want to move to.

Net outflow: 18,100

Washington’s housing market could be a deterrent for keeping residents with a median sale price of almost $630,000 for a home in April.

However, it could also motivate them to move and join their friends from Philly in Salisbury, Maryland, which is also the most popular destination for residents who want to move away from the nation’s capital.

Net outflow: 22,400

As a place to live, New York City has several issues working against it.

The city has the highest cost of living in the country and housing is expensive. The median sale price for a home in Manhattan was almost $1.12 million in August while Brooklyn had a median sale price of $930,000.

Instead, residents are moving out of New York City and heading south to Miami, which may be expensive but not as expensive (or cold) as Manhattan.

Net outflow: 34,100

Houses are more affordable in Los Angeles than in San Francisco, with a median sale price of just over $1 million in August.

However, Los Angeles topped the list because the number of residents considering moving out of the state has increased. Movement out of the Bay Area has slowed down.

Former Angelinos are also choosing Las Vegas as their next destination.

Net outflow: 35,800

San Francisco continues to be an expensive city, with the median sale price of a home at a whopping $1.27 million in April.

That may be a big reason why residents are moving out of the city to places like Sacramento if they want to stay in California or Seattle for those wishing to move out of state.

Housing usually accounts for the largest chunk of living expenses, so it may not be surprising that residents of major cities are trying to make smart money moves by moving to a place with a lower cost of living.

But before you decide to pick up your life and move, run the numbers for your desired new city. In addition to the cost of housing, consider expenses such as utilities, groceries, and taxes.