Best States to Move: Where to Relocate for Affordability, Rules, and Opportunities

When you’re thinking about best states to move, locations where housing is accessible, rules are clear, and long-term value is real. Also known as top relocation destinations, these aren’t just places with low prices—they’re areas where the system actually works for regular people. It’s not about flashy cities or viral TikTok trends. It’s about knowing where you can rent without getting hit with surprise fees, where buying land doesn’t mean hidden legal traps, and where housing assistance isn’t buried under paperwork.

Take Section 8 eligibility, a federal program that helps low-income families pay rent. In states like Virginia, income limits change by county, and having a criminal record can block you—even if it’s old. Meanwhile, in other places, the process is simpler, faster, and less punitive. Then there’s land prices, the real cost of buying property outside cities. In West Virginia, you can get an acre for under $10,000, but in North Carolina, clearing that same land might cost you $20,000. And don’t forget rental laws, the rules that decide how many people can live in a house or when a landlord can enter. Maryland and Baltimore County have strict limits on occupancy, while Virginia bans rent control entirely—meaning your rent can jump anytime.

Some states let you claim land through tax sales or town programs—like Utah, where you can still get cheap land if you know the loophole. Others make it nearly impossible to qualify for public housing if you’ve ever been evicted, no matter how long ago. The best states to move aren’t the ones with the most ads or the prettiest brochures. They’re the ones where the rules are fair, the costs are predictable, and the path to a home isn’t blocked by hidden barriers. You’ll find real examples of all this below: what disqualifies you in Virginia, how much land really costs in West Virginia, how rental limits work in Baltimore, and why some states are quietly becoming the go-to spots for people who want to build a life without fighting the system every step of the way.