As higher urban housing costs push buyers further to the metro fringe, home purchase demand is concentrating in outer-ring suburbs in the Sunbelt and South. 

Zip codes in Florida and Texas dominate the top 10 list for most moves per capita in the first half of 2026, according to a recent report by MovingPlace. The list includes high-end areas like Inlet Beach, Florida which took the top spot, and affordable suburbs outside of metropolitan cores like Maxwell, Texas. 

"Many of the top-performing ZIP codes are smaller markets benefiting from population growth, new housing development, and proximity to major employment hubs," said Daniel Cobb, senior editor at MovingPlace, adding that communities surrounding major metros are capturing demand as buyers look for more space and value. 

To find the data, MovingPlace tracked over 5 million residential moves across the United States between January and May 2026, averaging 881,730 moves per month. Texas led the nation in total moves, with eight of the top 10 ZIP codes located in the state. Low mobility states include New York, Hawaii and New Jersey. 

The report reinforces ongoing macro-economic trends in mortgage performance, as Sun Belt states like Texas and Florida continue to absorb the vast majority of net residential relocation volume. 

High migration volume and per-capita growth serve as leading indicators for purchase mortgage originations. Lenders should focus where potential homebuyer demand is surging, such as outer suburban fringes like Crandall, Texas or San Antonio, Florida to then partner with regional builders and expand officer coverage. Lenders could see a shift towards new construction loans and first-time homebuyer programs.  

On the other end, areas like Inlet Beach, FL highlight strong activity in the upper end of the market, indicating active jumbo loan demand, and second home financing. The median household income of those living in the Inlet Beach zip code is $145,706.

"The community's combination of luxury coastal living, limited inventory, and access to the broader 30A corridor continues to attract retirees and second-home buyers seeking a high-quality lifestyle destination," reads the report when describing Inlet. 

Other buyers seek affordability, even as home prices and income diverge most in eastern states and California. Still, buyers also have more negotiating power compared to previous years as they now outnumber sellers in many regions.