Cost of living, honestly.

What is the cheapest major US city to live in (2026)?

Wichita, KS has the lowest 1-bedroom rent at $900/mo and a median home price of $180K. Memphis, Cleveland, Detroit, and Little Rock are also consistently under $1,100/mo for a 1BR.

Which US cities have no state income tax?

Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio (all Texas), Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ft Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee (all Florida), Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville (Tennessee), Las Vegas, Reno (Nevada), Seattle, Spokane (Washington), and Anchorage (Alaska). On a $100K salary you save $4,500–$9,000/year vs California or New York.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in 2026?

At current 6.8% mortgage rates, renting + investing the down payment beats buying over a 30-year horizon in many major metros including Austin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami. Buying still wins in Memphis (year 14), Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis. We run the real math per city at /rent-vs-buy.

How much does it cost to move cross-country?

A 2BR household moving 2,000+ miles runs roughly $3,500 DIY U-Haul, $6,000 hybrid (U-Pack/PODS), or $14,000 full-service movers. San Francisco → Austin specifically: $3,073 DIY, $5,683 hybrid, $14,100 full-service for a 2BR.

Where are people moving to in 2026?

The top destinations for domestic migration are Austin, Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, Tampa, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Miami. All combine no or low state income tax, warmer climate, and job growth. California, New York, and Illinois are the top origins.

What is the best US city for remote workers?

Austin, Nashville, Tampa, Raleigh, and Miami top the list — all combine no state income tax (saves $5K+/year), decent walkability, and meaningful tech/finance scenes for when you need local job backup. Austin specifically pairs a deep tech hub with Texas tax benefits.