20% of Remote Workers Plan to Relocate in 2025

This year, 1 in 5 fully remote U.S. workers are planning on relocating, according to a survey of over 1,000 conducted by Howdy.com. 

The top reasons remote workers plan to relocate in 2025 include: 

1. Change of scene (43%) 
2. Cost of living (37%) 
3. Buy a house (29%) 
4. Closer to family and friends (24%) 
5. Political reasons (14%) 

For nearly half of those planning to move (49%), the suburbs are their choice of destination. In comparison, only 29% plan to move to urban settings and only 22% to rural areas. 

Geographically speaking, the top states remote workers are fleeing this year are Florida and California (tied for 9.5% each). And what’s the most popular state they’re moving to? Texas (12.3%). 

Moreover, the top three urban centers attracting remote workers are Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C. 

However, for some, return-to-office mandates are postponing their moving plans. In fact: 

• 12% are putting off purchasing a home due to potential future RTO mandates 
• 9% are postponing moving to a new place due to anxiety around RTO 
• 22% feel they must live within commuting distance of their offices despite working fully remotely 

Additionally, if RTO became mandated: 

• 58% would attempt to negotiate continued remote agreements 
• 30% would quit outright to find another remote position 
• 12% would comply with an RTO mandate 

Whether or not fully remote workers return to office, it is clear that remote work has impacted housing. Howdy.com cites that 32% of remote workers report their real estate needs have changed since transitioning to remote work, and 24% listed home offices as a housing requirement. Additionally, 31.7% of remote workers have invested in significant home modifications for remote work.