Written By Lauren Thomas
Key Takeaways
- The hottest ZIP code in America is Nashville, TN (37228) with 12.8 moves per capita — its third appearance in the top 10 in as many months, and its first time at number one.
- Crandall, TX (75114) holds the #2 spot at 11.2 moves per capita, its third consecutive month in the top 10.
- Paradise, CA (95969) enters the top 10 at #3 with 9.4 moves per capita, which is a notable data point for a community still rebuilding nearly eight years after the Camp Fire.
- Texas dominates total move volume, claiming five of the top ten spots. Washington, DC (20002) is the only non-Sunbelt ZIP in the top 10 by volume.
- National City, CA (91950) saw the single largest month-over-month jump in the country by volume, rising from 73 to 100. It’s the only market in the top gainers to cross the 100-move threshold.
- Four of the top ten month-over-month gainers are California ZIP codes — spread across Southern California, the Far North Coast, and the Central Coast — marking the broadest statewide inbound activity we’ve seen in recent months, and a potential early signal that California’s long-running outmigration trend may be shifting.
About the Hottest ZIP Codes in America Report
MovingPlace is a leading authority on U.S. residential migration trends. With access to millions of verified move records each year, we have the data and expertise to track where Americans are relocating and identify emerging patterns in communities nationwide. Our rankings are based on proprietary data from Porch Group, which tracks detailed move information, including origin and destination ZIP codes, for millions of residential moves across the U.S. each year.
The Hottest ZIP Codes in America is a monthly report that highlights the ZIP codes seeing the most activity. The March 2026 report examines moves that occurred in February 2026.
A ZIP code’s “hotness” is assessed in three ways:
- Move volume per capita: the number of moves with a destination in the ZIP code per 1,000 people.
- Total move volume: the absolute number of moves with a destination in the ZIP code.
- Biggest month-over-month increases: ZIP codes with the largest jumps in moving activity compared to the previous month.
For the purposes of this report, all moves with a destination address within a ZIP code are counted, including those where the move originated in the same ZIP code. This approach captures the total moving activity within each area, reflecting both local and inbound relocations. Read previous editions of the Hottest ZIP Codes Report in our research hub.
The March 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes in America: Moves per Capita
Based on MovingPlace’s analysis of 487,572 moves in the month of February, the hottest ZIP codes in America by moves per capita are:
1. 37228 – Nashville, Tennessee – 12.8 moves per capita
ZIP code 37228 sits along the Cumberland River on Nashville’s north side, straddling the line between the city’s industrial past and its ongoing residential transformation. It has appeared in the top 10 for three consecutive months, and this month it claims the top spot for the first time. Its performance reflects the sustained demand for urban-adjacent housing in a city that continues to attract young professionals and corporate relocations at a high rate.
- Moves per Capita: 12.8
- Population: 2,351
- Median Household Income: $60,378
- Median Home Price: $494,000
2. 75114 – Crandall, Texas – 11.2 moves per capita
Crandall sits southeast of Dallas along US-175, well past the established suburbs of Mesquite and Forney. Its continued presence in the top 10 (three months running) reflects the same pattern seen across the DFW exurbs: buyers priced out of closer-in suburbs are willing to extend their commute in exchange for new construction and sub-$300k price points. The market here is completely driven by inventory.
- Moves per Capita: 11.2
- Population: 7,664
- Median Household Income: $88,013
- Median Home Price: $256,490
3. 95969 – Paradise, California – 9.4 moves per capita
Paradise is not a typical entry on this list. The town in Butte County was largely destroyed by the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history, and its appearance here with 9.4 moves per capita reflects the ongoing pace of rebuilding. The population is still well below its pre-fire levels, which means even a modest number of incoming residents registers as a high per-capita figure. That statistical effect is real, but it doesn’t diminish what the number represents: people are moving back.
- Moves per Capita: 9.4
- Population: 7,804
- Median Household Income: $69,067
- Median Home Price: $397,000
4. 78701 – Austin, Texas – 8.9 moves per capita
Downtown Austin’s core ZIP code posts 8.9 moves per capita this month, up slightly from 8.3 in January. This is a dense, high-turnover urban ZIP anchored by luxury apartment stock, and its consistent presence in the rankings reflects the ongoing demand for walkable, amenity-rich living in a city that, despite its reputation for high costs, continues to draw high-income movers.
- Moves per Capita: 8.9
- Population: 11,114
- Median Household Income: $162,168
- Median Home Price: $585,000
5. 85387 – Surprise, Arizona – 8.8 moves per capita
Surprise continues its run in the top 10, posting 8.8 moves per capita in February. Located in the far northwest of the Phoenix metro, it has been one of the more consistent performers in our rankings over the past several months. New master-planned communities and relatively lower price points compared to Scottsdale and Chandler keep the demand steady here regardless of broader market fluctuations.
- Moves per Capita: 8.8
- Population: 19,140
- Median Household Income: $98,757
- Median Home Price: $435,000
6. 10004 – New York, New York – 7.7 moves per capita
ZIP code 10004 covers the southern tip of Manhattan, including the Financial District and Battery Park City. Its presence at #6 is the highest New York has placed in recent months. This is a high-density, high-churn ZIP driven largely by the rental market, and a 7.7 per-capita figure in a market with Manhattan’s population dynamics is a meaningful signal of demand.
- Moves per Capita: 7.7
- Population: 3,875
- Median Household Income: $250,001
- Median Home Price: $1,200,000
7. 32461 – Inlet Beach, Florida – 7.7 moves per capita
Inlet Beach, tucked along the 30A corridor in the Florida Panhandle, ties New York at 7.7 moves per capita. This is a smaller, higher-income coastal market, where median home prices run well above the state average. It draws a mix of retirees, second-home buyers, and remote workers who have made the Florida Panhandle one of the more durable migration destinations in the country. It’s worth noting that Inlet Beach ranked significantly higher in January (13.9 per capita), so the February reading represents a meaningful cooldown, though it still holds a top-10 spot.
- Moves per Capita: 7.7
- Population: 3,517
- Median Household Income: $145,706
- Median Home Price: $1,300,000
8. 23230 – Richmond, Virginia – 7.5 moves per capita
Richmond’s 23230 ZIP, covering the Scott’s Addition and Museum District neighborhoods, is one of the more interesting entries in this month’s top 10. This is an urban market experiencing sustained gentrification pressure, and its 7.5 per-capita figure (up from 5.4 in January) represents the sharpest month-over-month gain among the top 10. Richmond has been a consistent but quiet performer in our state-level rankings, and this month it breaks into the national list for the first time.
- Moves per Capita: 7.5
- Population: 8,304
- Median Household Income: $74,763
- Median Home Price: $356,000
9. 85054 – Phoenix, Arizona – 7.5 moves per capita
85054 covers the Desert Ridge area in north Phoenix, one of the city’s more affluent and rapidly developing corridors. Its 7.5 per-capita figure ties Richmond and keeps Arizona with two entries in the top 10. The north Phoenix market has benefited from corporate campus expansions in recent years and draws a significant share of out-of-state relocators, particularly from California.
- Moves per Capita: 7.5
- Population: 10,159
- Median Household Income: $91,507
- Median Home Price: $645,000
10. 37203 – Nashville, Tennessee – 7.4 moves per capita
Nashville places twice in the top 10 this month, with its second ZIP, 37203, coming in at 7.4 moves per capita. This area covers SoBro and the Gulch, the latter being Nashville’s densest luxury rental corridor. Its presence here alongside 37228 confirms that the city’s inbound migration isn’t concentrated in one pocket but is instead based broadly across the urban core. No other city places two ZIP codes in the national top 10 this month.
- Moves per Capita: 7.4
- Population: 20,234
- Median Household Income: $71,281
- Median Home Price: $622,000
See the Full Top 100 Hottest ZIP Codes in America by Moves per Capita
Looking for more of the Hottest ZIP Codes? Use the table below to search through the top 100 rankings here.
The March 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes in Every State
Every state has its own version of this story: a ZIP code that is pulling in new residents faster than anywhere else in the state, relative to its size.
For most states, that ZIP isn’t the biggest city or the most obvious destination. It’s a suburb on the edge of a metro, a small coastal town, or a mid-sized city neighborhood that most people outside the state have never heard of.
Use the map to find your state and see where people are actually moving. If you’re considering a relocation, it’s a useful starting point for identifying where demand is concentrated and where new housing is being absorbed. If you already live in one of these areas, it can tell you a lot about where your region is heading.
The March 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes in America: Total Move Volume
Based on MovingPlace’s analysis of 487,572 moves in February, the hottest ZIP codes in America by total move volume are:
1. 20002 – Washington, DC
Washington’s 20002 ZIP — covering NoMa, H Street, and parts of Capitol Hill — leads the nation in total move volume for February with 277 moves. It has been the most reliable city-center performer in our total volume rankings across multiple months. This ZIP’s volume is driven by a dense concentration of luxury rental buildings with constant turnover, rather than new construction, which distinguishes it from most of the other markets on this list.
2. 98052 – Redmond, Washington
Redmond makes its first appearance in the national total volume top 10 this month with 243 moves. Home to Microsoft’s headquarters and a growing concentration of tech employers, 98052 draws a significant share of corporate relocations. Its February showing suggests the tech-driven migration into the Seattle suburbs that slowed during the 2022–2023 period may be regaining momentum.
- Move Volume: 243
- Median Household Income: $163,460
- Median House Price: $1,310,000
3. 75071 – McKinney, Texas
McKinney’s 75071 continues its long-term presence in the total volume rankings with 228 moves in February. The northern DFW suburb has been one of the most consistent high-volume markets in the country for the past two years. Given that last month it posted higher, its February number still holds up well. Top-rated schools, master-planned communities, and a diversified local economy have moved it beyond boom-and-bust cycle vulnerability.
4. 78130 – New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels posts 227 moves in February, holding its position as the dominant market on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. It led the total volume rankings in January with 379 moves, so February’s number reflects a seasonal pullback. The reasons why the city is attractive, like affordability relative to both Austin and San Antonio, active new construction, and strong quality-of-life metrics, remain intact.
5. 78641 – Leander, Texas
Leander’s 78641 posts 218 moves, continuing its run as one of the Austin metro’s primary relief valves for buyers priced out of closer-in suburbs. The market here is almost entirely new construction, and the pace of building has kept supply roughly in step with demand. This is part of why Leander keeps showing up month after month rather than spiking and cooling the way some boom markets do.
6. 85338 – Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear makes its first appearance in the national total volume top 10 with 213 moves, edging out several Texas markets that have been regulars on this list. Located on the southwest edge of the Phoenix metro, Goodyear has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona for several years. Its February debut in the top 10 may signal that it’s graduating from a regional story to a national one.
7. 34787 – Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden’s 34787 posts 211 moves in February, down from 250 in January, but still firmly in the top 10. This Orlando suburb has built a reputation as one of the more livable markets in Central Florida. The lower density than most of the metro, with a walkable downtown and strong school ratings, and the consistent move volume reflects that.
8. 77494 – Katy, Texas
Katy holds its position in the top 10 with 205 moves. The western Houston suburb is one of the most well-established master-planned markets in the country, and its volume is driven more by the sheer scale of its residential base than by a single development story. For buyers considering an area near Houston, Katy remains the default answer.
9. 77433 – Cypress, Texas
Cypress posts 197 moves in February, down from its recent highs but still well within the top 10. The Bridgeland and Fairfield master-planned communities continue to generate consistent demand, and Cypress’s school district reputation keeps it competitive with newer suburban markets that offer lower price points.
10. 76227 – Aubrey, Texas
Aubrey makes its debut in the national total volume top 10 this month with 196 moves. Located north of Denton along US-380, Aubrey sits at the outer edge of the DFW exurbs and has seen an explosion of new home construction over the past two years. Its February appearance alongside established markets like McKinney and Katy suggests it’s become another part of the DFW expansion story.
ZIP Codes With the Biggest Changes Since Last Month
February’s month-over-month data surfaces a few patterns worth watching, some of which you can see in the table below.
Santa Fe, NM Shows Renewed Activity
Santa Fe (87506) posted the largest percentage gain in the dataset at +53.85%, jumping from 26 to 40 moves. Santa Fe has appeared in our state-level rankings consistently but has rarely registered at the national level. A move count of 40 is modest in absolute terms, but the rate of increase (and Santa Fe’s positioning as a high-amenity, remote-work-friendly market), makes it worth flagging as a market to watch heading into spring.
California Markets Show Broad Upticks
Four of the top ten gainers are California ZIP codes: Playa Del Rey (90293, +50%), McKinleyville (95519, +42%), Clearlake (95422, +38%), and National City (91950, +37%). These span Southern California, the Far North Coast, and the North Coast, and the geographic spread matters here. It suggests that it isn’t a single submarket heating up, but instead, activity is increasing across the state. Whether that’s a seasonal blip or the early signal of a broader reversal in California’s long-running outmigration story is something the March data will help answer.
Other Individual Markets Worth Watching
East Saint Louis, IL (62206) also posted a notable +52% gain, rising from 29 to 44 moves. National City, CA (91950) was the standout in raw volume terms, crossing 100 moves for the first time — the only market in the top gainers to do so. Bandera, TX (78003) and Houston (77005) round out the list, with both Texas entries up over 39%, adding to the state’s already dominant showing in the total volume rankings.
What the Data Means
February’s data reinforces a pattern that has been developing for several months: the hottest markets are no longer just destinations but established corridors. McKinney, Leander, New Braunfels, and Katy don’t keep appearing in the total volume rankings because of hype. They appear because they have land, builders, and buyers in continuous alignment. For those considering Texas, the practical implication is that these markets have real inventory and real competition.
The per-capita rankings tell a different story. Nashville’s double appearance, Richmond’s breakthrough, and Paradise’s quiet return are all signals that migration demand is finding new pockets where supply exists and prices haven’t yet adjusted. These are the markets where early movers still have an advantage, and where the spring data will be telling for larger long-term trends.
The California uptick in the month-over-month data deserves a watchful eye as well. If it holds in March, it will mark the first sustained period of California inbound migration momentum we’ve seen in this dataset, and it would have real implications for Western markets that have been absorbing California outflows for years.
Methodology
The Hottest ZIP Codes rankings are based on proprietary data from millions of residential moves across the U.S. each year. By analyzing origin and destination ZIP codes, we calculate which areas are attracting the most new residents, both nationwide and within each state. This consistently updated dataset serves as a cornerstone resource for understanding migration trends, highlighting patterns in population growth, suburban expansion, and regional hotspots.
In Partnership With PGM
This migration report used in-depth consumer insights from data provider PGM, part of the Porch Group of companies. PGM’s robust audience data helps businesses reach customers strategically.
Karen Bodkin
