A recent Redfin survey reveals that approximately two out of every five residents in Texas and Florida would prefer to reside in states where abortion is legally permitted. This figure is nearly double the number of those who'd prefer living in areas where abortion is illegal.
This sentiment mirrors national statistics, wherein roughly two out of every five U.S. respondents share this view. Interestingly, while Texas has an active abortion ban, Florida's abortion law remains in a precarious legal situation.
The study, executed by Qualtrics in May and June 2023, surveyed 5,079 U.S. residents who have either recently relocated, plan to move soon, or currently rent their homes. Among these respondents, 396 were from Florida and 414 from Texas.
Yet, the numbers reveal an intriguing contradiction. Despite their personal views, many Texas and Florida residents might choose their residence based on affordability rather than social or political alignment. Only around 12% to 13% of respondents from these states who moved recently cited social issues alignment as a reason. Conversely, over 20% emphasized a lower cost of living. This trend also mirrors the national average.
“Deciding where to live is a compromise," Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather said. "With the housing affordability crisis, many are forced to prioritize cost over certain social preferences.” She added, “While many may resonate more with the policies of places like Seattle or San Francisco, they opt for places like Dallas due to affordability.”
Despite affordability being a driving factor, people still tend to gravitate towards neighborhoods aligning with their social and political beliefs. Fairweather mentioned, "Liberal individuals in Texas or Florida might opt for neighborhoods that reflect their convictions."
Migration trends from expensive coastal cities to affordable metros like Florida and Texas have been bolstered by the pandemic, remote work opportunities, and low mortgage rates. In 2022, Florida and Texas recorded the highest influx of new residents.
Furthermore, homes in these states remain more budget-friendly than those in cities from where most new residents are moving. For instance, homes in Miami are priced around $515,000, while those in New York — a common origin for Miami movers — stand at $705,000.
The landscape, however, has shifted since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Fairweather stated that some recent movers to these states might now feel a discord with their location due to changed abortion laws. However, factors like cost of living, job stability, and community ties make relocating challenging.
The Redfin survey also highlighted LGBTQ rights. Approximately one-third of the respondents from Florida and Texas expressed a preference for living in places where gender-affirming care for children is permitted — a sharp contrast to their current states where such care has been criminalized.
Additionally, a significant portion of these respondents favored education that includes LGBTQ topics, even as Florida enforces its "Don't Say Gay" bill and Texas contemplates similar legislation.
