With just days to go before the country chooses either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, a new survey reveals that one in three Americans want to relocate if their candidate loses, according to a new survey conducted in October by StorageUnits.com, a platform for finding storage facilities.
The results of the survey, which took in responses from 2,955 people, illustrate political leanings’ intense impact on lifestyle choices, particularly in real estate.
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“A significant portion of Americans desire to be aligned politically with people in their area, especially those who are politically active,” says Realtor.com® senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. “As politics takes center stage over the next week, homeowners may be considering the impact of the both local and national election outcomes on their day-to-day.
“The housing market remains challenging across the country, but home equity reached an all-time high in Q2, meaning today’s homeowners are in a good position to make housing decisions moving forward.”
What’s driving these potential moves?
Harris and Trump voters have very different concerns fueling their thoughts of relocation. Harris supporters are anxious about a national abortion ban (54%), rising racial inequality (53%), and a rollback of progressive rights (52%). Other worries include environmental rollbacks and reduced healthcare access.
(StorageUnits.com)
Trump voters, meanwhile, are more focused on inflation and rising costs of living (72%), a struggling economy (59%), and lax border policies (55%). Higher taxes and national security issues also weigh heavily.
(StorageUnits.com)
“The division within the United States has become increasingly pronounced in recent years,” says real estate expert James Heartquist in the survey results. “This polarization is evident in the way people are aligning themselves with political ideologies, often to the extent of considering relocation. This polarization is not just a political phenomenon but also a social one, affecting how communities interact and how individuals perceive their place within the country.”
Will people really move?
While a good portion of Americans may be fantasizing about a new start elsewhere, the reality is that very few will make the leap. Only 3% of those polled said they definitely plan to move, and another 3% are likely to do so. The remaining 28% admit it’s probably not going to happen—because life has a way of getting in the way.
What’s holding Americans back from packing up and moving to a new place? The top reasons are financial limitations (62%), deep emotional ties to their current community (36%), and worries about job prospects in a new location (34%).
(StorageUnits.com)
Women and Gen Z are ready to go—sort of
Younger voters, especially Gen Z, are feeling the urge to pull up stakes. More than half of those in that generation who were surveyed said they’d consider relocating if the election doesn’t go their way.
(StorageUnits.com)
Women are also more likely than men to express a desire to leave, with 36% of women willing to move compared to 30% of men. However, while men are more likely to act, women tend to acknowledge that moving is easier said than done.
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Where unhappy voters would go
If Harris wins, Trump voters are considering states like Florida (18%), Texas (13%), and Tennessee (12%).
If Trump takes the election, Harris supporters will look at places like California (14%), Texas (9%), and Georgia (9%). For those thinking of moving internationally, Canada is the top choice at 32%, followed by the United Kingdom at 23%.
The survey was commissioned by StorageUnits.com and conducted online via Pollfish in October 2024. Collected responses are from U.S. citizens who plan to vote in the upcoming election for either Harris or Trump.
