{"id":109926,"date":"2026-05-06T06:45:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=109926"},"modified":"2026-05-06T06:46:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:46:50","slug":"remote-work-and-relocation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/remote-work-and-relocation\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote Work and Relocation: How Remote Work Changes How People Buy Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remote work didn\u2019t just change where people log in to do their job; it reshaped where they choose to live. While remote work is less widespread than it was a few years ago, its impact still lingers. For today\u2019s homebuyers, the ability to work from anywhere has turned location from a constraint into a strategic choice. Instead of clustering around job centers, many of these buyers are now comparing cities side by side, like <\/span>homes in Austin, TX<\/span><\/a> vs. <\/span>homes in Denver, CO<\/span><\/a>, evaluating lifestyle, <\/span>cost of living<\/span><\/a>, and long-term affordability before making a move.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tools like a <\/span>home affordability calculator<\/span><\/a> make it easier to turn that flexibility into a plan, helping buyers understand what they can realistically afford in different markets. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how remote work and relocation are playing out in real homebuying decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rethinking location: From job proximity to lifestyle fit<\/h2>\n

For decades, homebuying started with one central question: How long is the commute? While that question is still important, some are still working from home or have a hybrid schedule that makes this question weigh differently. For those working remotely or on a hybrid work schedule, buying may not be as tethered to a daily drive into an office, which opens the door to new markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than focusing on proximity to downtown cores or business districts, remote working buyers are prioritizing places that align with how they want to live. \u201cRemote work and, to a lesser extent, hybrid work have had a profound effect on homebuying decisions. For those who need to visit the office rarely or infrequently, the trend toward more flexible work has allowed many to leave crowded, congested areas in favor of a less frenzied lifestyle,\u201d Kate Lister with <\/span>Global Workplace Analytics<\/span><\/a> explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lister goes on to say, \u201cEven those who travel to the office once or twice a week have shown a willingness to endure a longer commute on the days they do have to go in. Data from U.S. <\/span>surveys<\/span><\/a> suggest that about 10% have moved further from the office due to the ability to work from home some or all of the time. In the years since the pandemic, the share of those now working more than 50 miles from their office grew from less than <\/span>one percent to 5.5% by 2023<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This shift has expanded the geographic \u201csearch radius\u201d for these buyers. It\u2019s now common for people to compare multiple cities, or even states, before deciding where to put down roots. As a result, <\/span>long-distance moves have become a standard<\/span><\/a> part of the homebuying landscape rather than the exception.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affordability is driving migration patterns<\/h2>\n

While flexibility is a major advantage of remote work, affordability is often the catalyst behind relocation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Migration trends<\/span><\/a> show that, of all the major US metros, Sacramento was the most searched for destination among homebuyers looking to relocate between Dec ’25 – Feb ’26. Next came Phoenix, Sarasota, Cape Coral, and Nashville. Los Angeles was the most searched for destination among homebuyers looking to leave, followed by New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Buyers who are fully remote or hybrid are able to target markets where their budget stretches further due to work flexibility. This often translates to lower home prices, larger properties, and lower property taxes or the overall cost of living.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suburban areas and smaller cities have moved from backup options to real contenders. With more space and relative affordability, they expand what\u2019s possible for remote workers deciding where to live.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

>>Read: <\/i><\/b>15 of the Best Places in America to Work Remotely<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Homes are expected to do more<\/h2>\n

Remotely working buyers aren\u2019t just looking for a place to live; they\u2019re looking for a space that can support productivity, comfort, and flexibility all at once.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most noticeable changes in the age of remote and hybrid work is the demand for dedicated workspaces. <\/span>Home offices <\/span><\/a>have gone from a nice-to-have feature to a priority for many buyers. When a separate office isn\u2019t available, buyers are evaluating how easily a home can accommodate one, whether that\u2019s through an extra bedroom, a finished basement, or a flexible bonus room.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just about having a desk. Buyers are also paying attention to:<\/span><\/p>\n