What Are the Fastest Growing States in 2026? Population & Migration Ranked

The 10 fastest-growing states

America's population continues to shift. Census data shows stark differences in growth rates across states, driven by a mix of domestic migration, birth rates, job creation, and housing affordability. The sunbelt is winning, but the pattern is more complex than a simple "everyone's moving south" narrative.

South Carolina leads with 1.46% population growth and a net migration rate of +12/1,000. Idaho (1.44%) and North Carolina (1.32%) follow. The national average growth rate is 0.51%.

Growth is a vote of confidence. When people choose to move to a state, they're saying the combination of jobs, costs, and lifestyle works. When they leave, they're saying the opposite. Net migration — people moving in minus people moving out — is a more telling metric than raw population growth because it excludes births and deaths.

#1: South Carolina

South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in America with 1.46% population growth and a net migration rate of +12 per 1,000 residents. People aren't just being born here — they're choosing to move here. With a cost of living index of 93.7, a typical home value of $306,323, and a 4.5% unemployment rate, the draw looks like a mix of jobs, cost, and space.

South Carolina ranks #36 overall (49.0/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 78.4 in affordability and 8.9 in outdoor access.

#2: Idaho

Idaho is growing at 1.44% with a net migration rate of +9.9/1,000. Typical home value: $478,744. Cost of living: 95.5. Unemployment: 3.7%. An income tax rate of 5.7% and a total tax burden of 7.54% keep the fiscal picture manageable.

Idaho ranks #4 overall (78.4/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 86.6 in safety and 39.6 in livability.

#3: North Carolina

North Carolina is growing at 1.32% with a net migration rate of +7.6/1,000. Typical home value: $334,773. Cost of living: 94.3. Unemployment: 3.8%. An income tax rate of 4.25% and a total tax burden of 8.18% keep the fiscal picture manageable.

North Carolina ranks #23 overall (59.1/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 73.8 in affordability and 13.5 in outdoor access.

#4: Texas

Texas is growing at 1.25% with a net migration rate of +2.1/1,000. Typical home value: $299,367. Cost of living: 97.1. Unemployment: 4.2%. The state charges no income tax, which is a draw for higher earners looking to keep more of their paycheck.

Texas ranks #32 overall (52.2/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 74.4 in affordability and 4.7 in outdoor access.

#5: Utah

At #5, Utah grows at 1.03% with net migration of +0.9/1,000. The typical home runs $534,582, unemployment sits at 3.6%, and the cost of living index is 98.9.

Utah ranks #6 overall (75.4/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 76.8 in education and 19.7 in livability.

#6: Delaware

At #6, Delaware grows at 0.94% with net migration of +6.5/1,000. The typical home runs $406,074, unemployment sits at 4.8%, and the cost of living index is 99.8.

Delaware ranks #30 overall (53.6/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 67.2 in fiscal health and 23.9 in outdoor access.

#7: Washington

At #7, Washington grows at 0.92% with net migration of +1.2/1,000. The typical home runs $591,879, unemployment sits at 4.7%, and the cost of living index is 107.

Washington ranks #20 overall (61.8/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 73.1 in environment and 33.9 in livability.

#8: Arizona

At #8, Arizona grows at 0.89% with net migration of +4.1/1,000. The typical home runs $417,990, unemployment sits at 4.3%, and the cost of living index is 100.7.

Arizona ranks #38 overall (47.8/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 63.2 in safety and 24.3 in livability.

#9: Tennessee

At #9, Tennessee grows at 0.88% with net migration of +5.8/1,000. The typical home runs $334,108, unemployment sits at 3.5%, and the cost of living index is 91.9.

Tennessee ranks #24 overall (57.1/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 77.9 in affordability and 13.3 in outdoor access.

#10: Georgia

At #10, Georgia grows at 0.88% with net migration of +2.4/1,000. The typical home runs $330,817, unemployment sits at 3.4%, and the cost of living index is 96.3.

Georgia ranks #26 overall (55.4/100). Moderate growth avoids the infrastructure pressure that comes with booming states while still signaling opportunity. The state scores 73.1 in affordability and 7.6 in outdoor access.

Why people are moving

The top drivers of interstate migration: cost of living, job opportunities, tax climate, weather, and remote work flexibility. Among the 10 fastest-growing states, the average cost of living index is 98 and the average tax burden is 7.9%. 3 of the 10 have no state income tax.

Remote work has accelerated these patterns. Workers who can live anywhere increasingly choose affordable states with good quality of life. The pandemic didn't start this trend — it just removed the geographic leash for millions of workers. States that combine low costs with wide home internet access (like Delaware, where 94.3% of households have a broadband subscription) are positioned to keep attracting remote workers.

States losing population

On the other end: Vermont (-0.29%), Hawaii (-0.15%), West Virginia (-0.07%), New Mexico (-0.06%), California (-0.02%) are seeing the biggest declines. Vermont has a net migration rate of -1.1/1,000 — people are leaving faster than others arrive.

Common factors among shrinking states: higher costs of living (average COL index: 100), higher tax burdens (11.0%), and in some cases, limited job growth or harsh climates. When a state loses population, it also loses tax revenue, which can create a feedback loop that makes the remaining residents' situation worse.

Growth isn't always good

The fastest-growing states face real challenges: housing price inflation, infrastructure strain, school overcrowding, and water scarcity (especially in the arid West). In South Carolina, the typical home is now valued at $306,323, and longtime residents compete with newcomers for the same houses.

The sweet spot may be moderate growth — enough to signal opportunity and keep the economy dynamic, but not so much that infrastructure can't keep up. States growing at 0.5-1.5% annually often manage the best balance.