The biggest housing surprises after moving
10%
10% was most surprised by smaller homes — the most common answer.
n = 3,011 Americans who moved state in the previous five years · Fielded 2026 · Cherry Data Signals
Breakdown
smaller homes10%
more HOA rules9%
smaller lots or outdoor space9%
less storage8%
higher-density neighborhoods7%
lack of basements6%
older housing6%
less privacy5%
different heating or cooling needs5%
higher maintenance5%
fewer garages or covered parking5%
more noise3%
less natural light3%
different building materials2%
0%50%100%
Methodology
- Sample
- 3,011
- Population
- Americans who moved state in the previous five years
- Country
- United States
- Fielded
- 2026
- Research by
- Cherry Data Signals
- Study
- What Surprises Americans After Moving States
Cite this statistic
Cherry Data Signals (2026). "The biggest housing surprises after moving" Survey of 3,011 Americans who moved state in the previous five years, United States. https://cherrysignals.com/statistics/the-biggest-housing-surprises-after-moving
Free to reproduce with attribution to Cherry Data Signals and a link to this page.
Related statistics
- Housing expectation gaps among newcomers#1
- Locals were much friendlier than expected and 47% slightly friendlier53%
- Barriers to settling in after a move17%
- Settling in was about as expected; 9% said nothing made it harder7%
- At least occasionally thought homes were better where they came from63%
- Housing reality seriously made them question the move; 44% somewhat; 34% felt better about moving22%
- The home features movers miss most16%
- No real housing surprises after moving22%
Need an original statistic for your own story?
Explore Survey ResearchResearch by Cherry Data Signals