Gen Z's Moving: 7 Surprising Cities They’re Flocking To
It used to be that the coastal draw for young professionals was too much to resist, however, if you thought Gen Z was staying put in New York and L.A., you might want to think again. Recently, the real estate experts over at Redfin reported on a trend of migrating Gen Zers, based on U.S. Census Bureau data and tracked exactly where they are actually moving.
The results paint a clear picture. This generation is chasing career opportunity and social energy over coastal prestige. Here are the seven cities leading the charge.
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1. San Antonio
The top spot goes to the Alamo City, as it’s the No. 1 Gen Z destination in America, according to Redfin. In fact, San Antonio posted a Gen Z net inflow of 10,678 people in 2026 alone, which is more than any other metro in the country. That’s probably because it's more affordable than other big Texas cities like Austin and Dallas, with a booming job market in healthcare, tech and the military.
2. Washington, D.C.
Considered one of the best cities for new grads, Washington, D.C. is one of the more interesting entries in this ranking. The nation’s capital attracted about 8,631 Gen Zers looking for a wide range of career opportunities, housing affordability and quality of life. It's the clearest example of Gen Z prioritizing early-career launch pads over cheap rent.
3. Austin
Keeping Austin weird has been on young people's radar for decades. According to Redfin, Austin persuaded 8,590 Gen Zers to migrate to the music capital of the world. It's more expensive than it used to be, but the combination of strong tech jobs, live music culture and Austin's general energy keeps drawing 20-somethings in.
4. Nashville
Gen Z flooded Nashville to the tune of 8,093 movers. It’s a city that has become a top destination for young professionals just out of school and looking to dive into a growing job market. Many companies expand or relocate here, bringing opportunities in healthcare, tech and entertainment that are especially appealing to people early in their careers.
5. Dallas
Dallas is another city great for recent grads and pulled in a Gen Z net inflow of 6,944. It's the third city in the Lone Star State in the top five for Gen Z, proving even real estate appeal is bigger in Texas. Plus, with lower housing costs than coastal cities, a massive job market and a median home price under $450,000, Dallas delivers on nearly every metric Gen Z wants to tick off their list.
6. Riverside, California
The single most common Gen Z move in the entire country is Los Angeles to Riverside, with 10,261 people making that exact hop. The average Los Angeles, CA home value is $929,572, according to Zillow, which is probably why Riverside has been dubbed an L.A. escape route. It gives Gen Z movers Los Angeles proximity, as it roughly 60 miles east, without the crushing rent.
7. Philadelphia
Think New York but make it affordable. Similar to Gen Z L.A. to Riverside migration, the NYC to Philly pipeline is also flowing pretty heavily with 9,284 movers making that voyage. Sometimes it really is just about the numbers as the average New York, NY home value is $822,517, whereas the average home in Philadelphia is about $233,728, according to Zillow.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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