Key facts
- Baby boomers accounted for 42% of buyers and 55% of sellers in the year ending June 2025.
- Generation X represented 25% of buyers and 23% of sellers in the same period.
- Southeast and Sun Belt states are top destinations for boomers and Gen Xers relocating.
- Wilmington, North Carolina, saw a -9.3% annual price decline, the largest among analyzed metros.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the only analyzed market with positive price appreciation at +3.6%.
- Phoenix recorded the highest weekly sales volume with an estimated 1,673.
Older Americans, specifically baby boomers and Generation X, continue to be dominant forces in the U.S. housing market, representing a substantial share of both buyers and sellers. While many in these demographics tend to move locally, a growing number are relocating to different cities and states in search of better affordability, proximity to family, or a change of scenery for retirement.
U-Haul's 2026 Midyear Migration Trends report highlights that Southeast and Sun Belt states are the primary destinations for boomers and Gen Xers making one-way moves. A subsequent analysis by HousingWire Data examined ten of these top inbound metro areas, focusing on single-family home trends including median list prices, annual price changes, sales volume, days on market, inventory levels, and a Market Action Index (MAI) rating.
Among the analyzed metros, Wilmington, North Carolina, experienced the most significant yearly price decline at -9.3%. Conversely, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the sole market to show meaningful price appreciation, rising by +3.6%. Phoenix, the most populous metro in the dataset, led in transaction volume with an estimated 1,673 weekly sales. Daytona Beach, Florida, presented the softest market conditions, with 4.3 months of supply and an MAI of 27.7, indicating buyer favorability. Spokane, Washington, recorded the fastest market pace, with median listings spending only 56 days on the market.
Specific data points for analyzed metros include:
- Gainesville, Florida: Median list price $379,000, annual price change -3.1%, 87 weekly sales, 84 days on market, MAI 35.9, 2.4 months of inventory.
- Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida: Median list price $435,000, annual price change -5.4%, 523 weekly sales, 119 days on market, MAI 34.6, 2.6 months of inventory.
- Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway, South Carolina: Median list price $429,900, annual price change +3.6%, 204 weekly sales, 70 days on market, MAI 32.4, 3.0 months of inventory.
- Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Arizona: Median list price $504,985, annual price change -2.9%, 1,673 weekly sales, 70 days on market, MAI 38.5, 2.1 months of inventory.
- Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, South Carolina: Median list price $505,000, annual price change -2.7%, 306 weekly sales, 63 days on market, MAI 34.4, 2.6 months of inventory.
- Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Arizona: Median list price $415,000, annual price change -2.1%, 117 weekly sales, 84 days on market, MAI 35.0, 2.5 months of inventory.
- Spokane, Washington: Median list price $504,900, annual price change -2.9%, 180 weekly sales, 56 days on market, MAI 35.5, 2.6 months of inventory.
- Tucson, Arizona: Median list price $400,000, annual price change -3.6%, 316 weekly sales, 70 days on market, MAI 37.5, 2.2 months of inventory.
- Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida: Median list price $384,900, annual price change -1.3%, 157 weekly sales, 77 days on market, MAI 27.7, 4.3 months of inventory.
- Wilmington, North Carolina: Median list price $494,900, annual price change -9.3%, 244 weekly sales, 70 days on market, MAI 33.6, 2.7 months of inventory.