The Top 10 Cities Drawing Residents Away from Arlington, Virginia

Real estate company Redfin has some potentially not-so-surprising news for Arlington, Virginia, residents: More people want to move out of Arlington than move in, and many are choosing certain cities.

So, where exactly are Arlingtonians moving to?

Collecting the Data

Redfin used a sample of approximately two million Redfin.com users as its data sample.

In order to be included in the data, the user must have viewed a minimum of 10 homes for sale within a three-month period. Using that data, they determined which cities Arlington residents are most interested in moving to.

Redfin estimated the number of Arlingtonians who moved to each of the cities on this list between October and December 2024.

The results are as follows:

1. Salisbury, Maryland: 4,130 people
2. Virginia Beach, Virginia: 1,881 people
3. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: 1,503 people
4. Miami, Florida: 1,270 people
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: 1,250 people
6. Richmond, Virginia: 1,185 people
7. Orlando, Florida: 967 people
8. Raleigh, North Carolina: 832 people
9. Houston, Texas: 706 people
10. Tampa, Florida: 655 people

Why Salisbury?

Several factors contribute to the migration of people from Arlington, Virginia, to Salisbury, Maryland. A significant motivator is the difference in cost of living between the two locations.

According to Best Places, houses are 348% higher in Arlington than in Salisbury. Commutes cost over 54% more money, and the price of food is 10% more expensive.

Therefore, Arlingtonians can get a lot more bang for their buck by moving to Salisbury—provided they can find an equivalent job or work remotely, of course.

Another factor influencing this massive Arlington migration to Salisbury is the desire for a change in lifestyle. Salisbury offers a more relaxed and community-oriented environment compared to the bustling urban setting of Arlington.

The city provides access to beautiful coastal scenery, with proximity to destinations like Ocean City and Assateague Island, which are ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing.

Employment opportunities also play a role in relocation decisions.

While Arlington boasts a robust job market, particularly in government and technology sectors, Salisbury presents opportunities in different industries, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing.

For instance, it’s home to institutions like Salisbury University and companies such as Perdue Farms.

The Florida Wave

Florida is the most popular state that Arlingtonians want to move to.

Money is undoubtedly a motivator for many; Florida offers a more tax-friendly environment with no state taxes on individual income, which can result in significant financial savings compared to Virginia’s income tax rates.

Former Arlington residents are also often able to snag a bigger, nicer house for a lot less than what they can buy in Northern Virginia.

The allure of Florida’s climate and lifestyle also plays a significant role in Arlingtonians’ migration out of Virginia.

The state’s warm weather, coupled with its abundant beaches and outdoor recreational opportunities, offers a year-round active lifestyle that many find attractive.

Of course, life in Florida isn’t perfect—its vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural disasters has led to a spike in insurance costs, for those lucky enough to get insurance coverage at all.

Calling Arlington Home

Although many Arlington residents have their hearts set on leaving town for good, not everyone feels the same.

New York City is the number one place that people are leaving in order to move to Arlington.

Between October and December 2024, Redfin estimates that Arlington received approximately 2,045 new residents from The Big Apple.