Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
On the move: Closer to home
Americans are moving less and staying local, although multiple major metros throughout the Midwest continue to see gains.
May 2026
Key takeaways
- People are moving less, and when they do move, they're mostly staying local. Bank of America account data shows overall mobility is down, especially for longer distance moves. Moves within the same city are also declining, but have held up better through Q1 2026.
- Still, some people do switch cities, and the pattern is clear: the Midwest is punching above its weight, with places like Indianapolis and Columbus seeing strong inflows. Metros like Salt Lake City and Raleigh are also seeing strong growth, while big coastal hubs and some Sun Belt metros are still seeing people head out the door, according to Bank of America customer account data.
- At the same time, though certain cities continue to attract significant numbers in Q1 2026, rental payments are down year-over-year (YoY). This is due mostly to oversupply and the demographics of new arrivals, which tend to skewer younger and lower income, according to Bank of America data.
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