Modern Americans are historically immobile.
According to the Coastal Moving Services 2025 Mid-Year Moving Trends Report, just 8% of the population is relocating, up from a record low of 7.6% in 2023. That’s half the rate of the 1960s, with exorbitant housing costs, stagnant wages and general household economic uncertainty keeping people in place.
Even so, 8% means 26 million people are pulling up stakes, many in pursuit of affordability.
A new study from shipping and removals company Seven Seas Worldwide measured six key metrics to identify the following 10 states — ranked in ascending order, starting with the cheapest — as the least expensive places to relocate to in 2026.
Cheapest States To Move to in 2026
Arkansas
- Median home cost: $255,300
- Average rent: $1,093.00
- Car registration fees: $24.00
- Driver’s license fees: $40
- Utilities: $404.19
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Mississippi
- Median home cost: $255,100
- Average rent: $1,305.00
- Car registration fees: $12.75
- Driver’s license fees: $24
- Utilities: $412.31
Nebraska
- Median home cost: $288,800
- Average rent: $1,285.00
- Car registration fees: $20.50
- Driver’s license fees: $21.50
- Utilities: $379.34
Iowa
- Median home cost: $230,600
- Average rent: $1,220.00
- Car registration fees: $40.00
- Driver’s license fees: $17.50
- Utilities: $423.88
Oklahoma
- Median home cost: $245,900
- Average rent: $1,035.00
- Car registration fees: $96.00
- Driver’s license fees: $33.50
- Utilities: $407.69
Louisiana
- Median home cost: $253,200
- Average rent: $1,235.00
- Car registration fees: $51.00
- Driver’s license fees: $32.25
- Utilities: $389.62
Missouri
- Median home cost: $263,300
- Average rent: $1,273.00
- Car registration fees: $24.75
- Driver’s license fees: $10
- Utilities: $447.05
Kansas
- Median home cost: $280,900
- Average rent: $1,243.00
- Car registration fees: $44.00
- Driver’s license fees: $4
- Utilities: $430.78
New Mexico
- Median home cost: $370,600
- Average rent: $1,389.00
- Car registration fees: $45.00
- Driver’s license fees: $18
- Utilities: $362.81
South Dakota
- Median home cost: $325,700
- Average rent: $1,127.00
- Car registration fees: $82.00
- Driver’s license fees: $28
- Utilities: $408.75
How Much Can You Save?
Unsurprisingly, housing costs — and therefore, overall costs — are highest in coastal states with inflated general living expenses. The median home value in Hawaii, the No. 1 most cost-prohibitive state to move to in 2026, is $975,500. That’s $720,200 more than in Arkansas, the cheapest state. The average monthly rent in the Aloha State is $2,668, or $1,575 more than in the Natural State.
It’s important to note that the Seven Seas study does not include living expenses and overall affordability. It deals solely with the costs of relocating and getting established. However, housing is the biggest expense by far, and when two housing markets are separated by a price multiplier of nearly three or four, depending on whether you rent or buy, that — and not the cost of gas, groceries and even healthcare — will have the final say in where you can afford to live.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 10 Cheapest States To Move to in 2026 — and How Much You’ll Actually Save
