Statistics · 2026 · Real Estate
Migration Statistics (2026)
511 of 917 U.S. metros gained residents through net migration in IRS data year 2022–2023, and 405 lost them. Dallas, TX gained the most, at +38,499 people, and New York, NY lost the most, at −181,613. IRS counts cover tax-return filers and their exemptions, so they exclude people who do not file.
Key takeaways
- Dallas, TX had the largest net gain (+38,499); New York, NY had the largest net loss (−181,613).
- Myrtle Beach, SC gained 30.4 net migrants per 1,000 residents (a WealthyBud estimate), the most among 189 metros of 250,000 or more people.
- Among 346 metros, the fifth with the highest net migration per resident had a higher median five-year FHFA gain (53.9% against 45.1%) but a lower one-year list-price change (−2.53% against 0.00%).
Where are people moving in the U.S.?
Dallas, TX gained the most residents through net migration, at +38,499 in IRS data year 2022–2023, followed by Houston, TX at +23,417. Measured per resident, Myrtle Beach, SC leads among metros of 250,000 or more people, at 30.4 per 1,000.
1. IRS migration data count tax filers and their exemptions, IRS data year 2022–2023
The IRS Statistics of Income migration page says its data “are based on year-to-year address changes reported on individual income tax returns filed with the IRS.” It describes the exemptions count as one “which approximates the number of individuals.” The file documentation defines the span as returns “filed and processed by the IRS during calendar years 2022 and 2023” and notes that returns received in 2022 and 2023 represent income earned in 2021 and 2022. It adds that the data “do not represent the full U.S. population because many individuals are not required to file an individual income tax return.” 23 of 940 metros have no IRS figures (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
2. Dallas, TX: +38,499 net migrants
Houston, TX is second at +23,417 and Tampa, FL third at +20,888 (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026). Dallas–Fort Worth counts once.
3. The ten largest gainers added 206,411 net migrants, 28.6% of all net gains
Net gains across the 511 gaining metros total 722,956. Florida holds 4 of the ten places and Texas holds 4 (WealthyBud data · 511 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
4. Per resident, Myrtle Beach, SC gained 30.4 per 1,000 against a median of 0.5 per 1,000
WealthyBud estimates this by dividing IRS net migration for 2022–2023 by the 2023 ACS 5-year population, so the two vintages differ. The median covers the 189 metros of 250,000 or more residents (WealthyBud data · 189 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
| Metro | Net migrants | Net adjusted gross income | Per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dallas, TX | +38,499 | +$2.12 billion | +4.9 |
| 2. Houston, TX | +23,417 | +$79 million | +3.2 |
| 3. Tampa, FL | +20,888 | +$2.20 billion | +6.4 |
| 4. Charlotte, NC | +19,908 | +$1.00 billion | +7.3 |
| 5. Lakeland, FL | +18,556 | +$590 million | +24.4 |
| 6. Jacksonville, FL | +18,554 | +$1.47 billion | +11.3 |
| 7. Phoenix, AZ | +17,909 | +$1.99 billion | +3.6 |
| 8. San Antonio, TX | +17,563 | +$645 million | +6.7 |
| 9. Austin, TX | +16,734 | +$1.41 billion | +7.1 |
| 10. Sarasota, FL | +14,383 | +$2.26 billion | +16.6 |
Which metros are losing the most residents?
New York, NY lost the most residents to net migration, at −181,613 in IRS data year 2022–2023, followed by Los Angeles, CA at −108,943. The ten biggest losers shed 542,423 net migrants combined, and 4 of the ten are in California.
5. New York, NY: −181,613 net migrants
The metro's population is 19,756,722, so the loss equals 9.2 per 1,000 residents (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026). Los Angeles, CA is second at −108,943.
6. The ten largest losers shed 542,423 net migrants, 68.0% of all net losses
Net losses across the 405 losing metros total 797,481. 14 of the 20 most populous metros lost residents (WealthyBud data · 405 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
7. Per resident, San Jose, CA lost 11.2 per 1,000, the steepest rate among 189 metros of 250,000 or more
New York lost 9.2. A WealthyBud estimate (WealthyBud data · 189 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
The three largest net losses:
- New York, NY lost 181,613 net migrants (9.2 per 1,000 residents); its net income flow was −$12.06 billion.
- Los Angeles, CA lost 108,943 net migrants (8.4 per 1,000 residents); its net income flow was −$5.11 billion.
- Miami, FL lost 54,761 net migrants (8.9 per 1,000 residents); its net income flow was +$3.83 billion.
8. Census Vintage 2025: metro areas combined had net domestic migration of −119,205 (2024 to 2025)
The Census Bureau release of March 26, 2026 states: “In their entirety, metro areas lost population between 2024 and 2025 through net domestic migration (-119,205).” It also reports a net domestic migration loss of 637,634 for the 50 counties with 1 million or more people. Census measures a different period and quantity (domestic only), so this page does not compare the two.
See migration and prices on one map
How much income moves with migrants?
Miami, FL had the largest net income inflow, at +$3.83 billion of adjusted gross income in IRS data year 2022–2023, even though it lost 54,761 net migrants. New York, NY had the largest net outflow of income, at −$12.06 billion, and the IRS figures alone do not say why.
9. Miami, FL: +$3.83 billion net income inflow with −54,761 net migrants
The IRS file documentation says “AGI is reported in thousands of dollars” and is “based on the year 2 tax return”; WealthyBud converts to dollars. The next four are Sarasota, FL (+$2.26 billion), Naples, FL (+$2.25 billion), Tampa, FL (+$2.20 billion) and Dallas, TX (+$2.12 billion) (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
10. New York, NY: −$12.06 billion net income outflow
It is the largest of 462 metros with negative net income flow (455 are positive). The next four outflows are Chicago, IL (−$5.18 billion), Los Angeles, CA (−$5.11 billion), San Francisco, CA (−$4.71 billion) and Boston, MA (−$3.60 billion) (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
11. In 176 of 916 metros, net migration and net income flow point in opposite directions
116 metros gained residents but had negative net income flow, and 60 lost residents but had positive net income flow. Miami, FL is the largest case of the second kind (WealthyBud data · 916 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
How many metros gain versus lose residents?
511 of 917 metros gained residents through net migration in IRS data year 2022–2023, 405 lost residents, and 1 broke even. The count is close to an even split by number of metros. The median metro's net migration was +56 people.
12. 511 metros gained (55.7%), 405 lost (44.2%)
Sayre, PA was the one metro with exactly zero net migration (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
13. Gains are 722,956 and losses 797,481, a net of −74,525 across 917 metros
Net flows do not sum to zero because a move between a pool metro and a non-metro county, a foreign address or a metro without IRS data appears on one side only. The IRS documentation says “Foreign tax returns as well as those filed using Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office addresses, addresses in Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas, and Palau are included in the migration data,” and WealthyBud uses its “Total Migration-US and Foreign” rows (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
For population change rather than migration, see population growth statistics; for the jobs side, job growth and housing statistics.
Do metros gaining residents see faster price growth?
Among 346 metros, the fifth with the highest net migration per resident has a higher median five-year FHFA price gain (53.9%) than the lowest fifth (45.1%), but a lower median one-year list-price change (−2.53% against 0.00%). This describes association only and tests no cause.
14. Median five-year FHFA price change: 45.1% in the lowest migration fifth, 53.9% in the highest
The pool is 346 metros of 100,000 or more residents with a five-year FHFA index through Q1 2026; each fifth holds 69 or 70 metros. The median rises at every step. 45 lack the index and are excluded (WealthyBud data · 346 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
15. Median one-year list-price change runs from 0.00% (lowest migration fifth) to −2.53% (highest)
Realtor.com list-price changes in September 2026, for 346 of those metros with 100 or more active listings. 4 reported no change and stay in the medians. The median falls at every step, the opposite direction from the FHFA result (WealthyBud data · 346 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
Periods differ: migration covers 2022–2023, the FHFA index runs to Q1 2026, list prices are from September 2026. Source: FHFA.
| Quintile | Metros | Net migrants per 1,000 | Median FHFA 5-year change to Q1 2026 | Metros with list data | Median list-price change, 1 year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (lowest) | 69 | −11.44 to −2.36 | 45.1% | 69 | 0.00% |
| 2 | 69 | −2.22 to −0.04 | 48.2% | 69 | −0.01% |
| 3 | 69 | +0.01 to +2.02 | 50.6% | 69 | −0.73% |
| 4 | 69 | +2.05 to +5.91 | 51.7% | 69 | −1.56% |
| 5 (highest) | 70 | +5.96 to +38.85 | 53.9% | 70 | −2.53% |
How big are gross migration flows?
Across 917 metros the IRS counted 14,143,644 people moving in and 14,218,169 moving out in IRS data year 2022–2023. Gross flows dwarf net change: the median metro of 250,000 or more residents saw 89 movers in and out per 1,000 residents but a net of only 0.5.
16. New York, NY had the largest gross flow: 1,665,925 movers in and out
Its 742,156 arrivals and 923,769 departures net to −181,613. Dallas, TX ranks second (WealthyBud data · 917 metros · IRS SOI 2022–2023 · September 2026).
What this means for buyers and investors
For buyers, net migration describes who arrived, not how prices will move. Check your own metro's figure, such as Dallas, TX.
For investors, read the income column beside the head count: in 176 metros the two disagree. Per-resident rates show scale.
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