Should You Move in 2026? The Real Factors That Matter (Plus a Simple Quiz to Find Out)
As 2026 approaches, many homeowners and renters are asking the same question: Is next year the right time to make a move — or does it make more sense to stay put?
For years, low mortgage rates kept people anchored in place. But in 2025, a noticeable shift began. More people started moving again — even if it meant taking on a higher interest rate. The reason? Life doesn’t always align with rate conditions, and for many households, personal and financial factors now outweigh the rate they locked in years ago.
So how can someone decide whether 2026 is the right time to move? The answer depends on a combination of lifestyle changes, financial position, market conditions, and long-term goals.
Below are the key factors that determine whether moving in 2026 makes sense — along with a simple quiz designed to help bring clarity.
Life Changes Often Drive the Decision More Than Interest Rates
One of the biggest reasons people choose to move is not the market — it’s life.
Over the past few years, work-from-home flexibility, growing families, downsizing needs, and changing priorities have reshaped what people want from their homes. A house that once felt perfect may no longer fit daily life.
Common life shifts prompting a move include:
Needing more space or a better layout for remote work
Household size changing due to marriage, children, or separation
Wanting to be closer to amenities, schools, or community
Downsizing to simplify expenses and maintenance
When lifestyle friction grows, staying put simply because of a low interest rate can become less practical over time.
Home Equity Is a Powerful (and Often Overlooked) Factor
Many homeowners have built significant equity over the past several years — sometimes far more than they realize. That equity can reduce the financial impact of today’s interest rates by:
Increasing down payment power
Lowering loan-to-value ratios
Making monthly payments more manageable
Allowing for strategic moves such as downsizing or relocating
In many cases, equity growth creates options that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Understanding how much equity is available — and how it could be used — is a critical step in deciding whether a move makes sense in 2026.
Renting vs. Buying Still Matters in 2026
For renters, the question is often different: Does continuing to rent still make sense?
With rents remaining elevated in many markets and wages gradually improving, some renters find that buying — even with higher rates — allows them to:
Stabilize monthly housing costs
Build long-term equity
Gain more control over their living situation
For others, renting remains the right choice based on flexibility and timing. The key is understanding the trade-offs, not guessing.
Market Conditions Are Only One Piece of the Puzzle
Many people wait for the “perfect” market before making a move — lower rates, more inventory, better prices. But housing markets rarely align perfectly with individual life timing.
In reality:
Inventory conditions vary widely by neighborhood and price point
Interest rates fluctuate, but refinancing opportunities can exist later
Long-term ownership decisions matter more than short-term market shifts
The most successful moves tend to happen when personal readiness meets reasonable market conditions — not when everything feels perfect.
How to Know If 2026 Is Right for You
There is no universal answer. For some, 2026 may be an ideal year to move. For others, staying put and planning ahead may be the smartest choice.
That’s why a short “Should I Move in 2026?” quiz was created — to help individuals evaluate:
Lifestyle fit
Financial readiness
Equity position
Short- and long-term goals
The quiz doesn’t provide a sales pitch or pressure — just clarity. Based on the answers, participants receive a simple result indicating whether planning a move in 2026 may be worth exploring or whether staying put aligns better with current goals.
The Bottom Line
Moving decisions are deeply personal. Interest rates matter, but they are only one piece of a much larger equation. Lifestyle needs, financial stability, equity growth, and future plans all play a role in determining whether a move in 2026 makes sense.
Whether someone is actively planning a move or simply curious, understanding their position is the first step. Sometimes the best move is moving forward — and sometimes it’s staying right where you are.
Taking a few minutes to assess the bigger picture can make all the difference.