Florida newcomers bring stronger buying profile
People moving to Florida from other states tend to earn more and are more likely to own a home, while international migration now drives most of the state’s net growth, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report.
Florida’s migration boom has cooled, but the people still choosing the state may be entering the housing market with stronger financial footing.
The people still moving to Florida from other states tend to be older, earn more and are more likely to already own a home than those leaving, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report.
That matters as Florida’s single-family market continues to show signs of gradual improvement. Florida Realtors® data cited in the report shows single-family sales increased year over year for 10 consecutive months through June.
In the report, Florida Realtors Chief Economist Brad O’Connor said the market has shifted from normalization into a “gradual recovery,” adding that the underlying trend remains one of “slow, sustainable improvement.”
Among people moving to Florida from other states, 53% were homeowners, compared with 42% of those leaving. New arrivals also had an average income of $41,038, versus $37,198 for those moving out, while 47% held at least a bachelor’s degree.
The numbers give housing professionals a clearer picture of who is still choosing Florida even as the pace of migration slows.
Florida gained a net 551 residents per day in 2025, the second-highest total in the country behind Texas, but well below the state’s 2022 peak of 1,640 per day.
“Slowing isn’t a red flag,” the report said, noting that migration patterns are still adjusting after the rapid growth of 2020 through 2022.
Where that growth is coming from has also changed. International migration accounted for 89% of Florida’s net migration in 2025, while domestic migration made up 11%. Net domestic migration has not exceeded international migration since 2022.
The statewide picture also varies sharply by county. Polk County gained a net 62 residents per day, followed by Pasco at 55 and Marion at 47. Miami-Dade lost a net 49 per day as domestic losses outweighed international gains.
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