The Blubber

Gen Zers are looking to live in simpler, quiet locations in the Midwest or mountain regions, per BI.

The most recent data from StorageCafe and LendingTree reveals that the youngest generation of adults is increasingly gravitating toward the Great Plains and the Mountain West in search of more affordable living and a simpler lifestyle.

In 2021, Gen Z, with an average age of 22, comprised the largest percentage of individuals moving to South Dakota (16%), North Dakota (15%), Idaho (15%), Iowa (14%), and Kansas (14%), whether it was for renting or buying, according to insights from StorageCafe obtained by Insider.

When Gen Zers decided to settle down and purchase homes, they showed the most interest in taking out mortgages in Salt Lake City (22.59%), followed by Oklahoma City (22.36%), and Birmingham, Alabama (20.79%), as reported by LendingTree.

Emilia Mann, a senior analyst at StorageCafe, noted, "Gen Zers are increasingly drawn to simpler living in their housing choices." She highlighted the trend of Gen Z favoring states with lower population density compared to millennials who often gravitated towards states like DC, Washington, and Illinois. Gen Zers are attracted to regions with scenic landscapes, such as the mountainous terrains of Montana and Idaho, as well as the plains of Kansas and Nebraska.

In terms of sheer numbers, the states with the largest total populations, such as Texas (360,374), California (256,587), and Florida (175,889), saw the most Gen Z newcomers. However, the proportion of Gen Z newcomers relative to the total incoming population was more significant in the Great Plains and Mountain West regions, as Mann explained.

These regions not only offer natural beauty but also have robust economies rooted in energy production, manufacturing, and technology, she added.

Conversely, Gen Zers showed less interest in purchasing homes in San Francisco, New York, and San Jose, California, according to LendingTree. Doug Ressler, business intelligence manager at Yardi Matrix, pointed out that the increased preference for remote work is a major factor influencing current housing preferences. With more people spending substantial time at home, features like a dedicated home office and a larger yard have become increasingly desirable, often necessitating a move away from bustling urban centers.