Image Credit: Move Buddha & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
A new study predicts that Knoxville will be the most popular city to move to in 2026.
Research released by Move Buddha, a moving technology company, shows that Knoxville stands to become the most popular destination for homebuyers in the country in 2026. This comes after the company analyzed data regarding most-searched moving destinations from 2019-2025.
The newly released ranks predict that Knoxville will pass Savannah, Georgia, who previously ranked in the top spot.
Although Savannah received more search queries, it is estimated that 1.61 new residents will move into Knoxville for every person moving out. The study cites affordability, proximity to nature, and the strong university presence for the city’s appeal to young professionals and families.
Mid-sized towns anchored around a local university, particularly in the South and Southwest region, rank high on the list. Homeowners are said to be drawn to an affordable cost of living combined with an active social scene, without some of the presumed drawbacks of larger metro areas.
In a tie for second place were Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Vancouver, Washington.
