People looking to relocate from other cities have big interest in metro Phoenix

By: Catherine Reagor

Metro Phoenix is attracting a lot of attention from homebuyers wanting to move from other big U.S. cities.

The Phoenix area was the second-most searched city by U.S. homebuyers wanting to move, according to a recent survey.

About 28% of homebuyers nationwide searched to move to a different metro area between February and April of this year, according to real estate firm Redfin.

Metro Phoenix’s housing market has shifted to buyers, which could entice more people from out of state.

The number of Valley homes for sale has soared, prices have dipped and the deals sellers are offering are getting sweeter.

“We are in a buyers’ market,” Tina Tamboer, senior housing analyst with The Cromford Report, said. “Don’t look for prices to plummet, but they could slip 3% to 5%.”

Listings of houses for sale shot up almost 53% during the past year, according to the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.

The top city checked out by people looking to buy a home somewhere else was Sacramento, California, per Redfin’s latest migration analysis based on 2 million of its users' searches.

The Florida cities of Cape Coral, Orlando and Sarasota rounded out the top 5 for the most homebuyer searches.

Los Angeles was the top area people wanted to move from, followed by New York, Seattle, San Francisco and Washington.

Final Thoughts

Metro Phoenix continues to stand out as a top destination for out-of-state homebuyers — and for good reason. With a shifting market that now favors buyers, increasing inventory, and more flexible pricing, it's an ideal time to explore what the Valley has to offer.

Whether you're moving from the West Coast or the East, Phoenix provides something few major metros can: year-round sunshine, affordable housing options, and quick escapes to mountains, lakes, and world-class desert views.

If you're seeking space, value, and lifestyle — without sacrificing urban convenience — this could be the moment to make your move. Phoenix isn’t just trending; it’s transforming, and there’s room for you in the story.

Let us help you navigate the market with local insight and real support.