1. Idaho
Idaho used to be one of those hidden gems—affordable, peaceful, and full of natural beauty. But during the pandemic, it became a magnet for remote workers fleeing pricey West Coast cities. Boise in particular saw skyrocketing home prices, nearly doubling between 2020 and 2022, according to Pandora Dewan of Newsweek. Longtime locals were stunned to see bidding wars on modest homes that once sat for weeks.
Now, traffic is worse, housing is scarce, and the small-town feel has started to erode. Residents complain that the charm is fading as chain stores pop up and infrastructure lags behind. Even basic services like schools and roads are struggling to keep up. Idaho still has its perks, but it’s definitely lost its “cheap and easy” vibe.
2. Arizona
Arizona was once a snowbird haven with low property taxes and a relatively low cost of living. That changed quickly as cities like Phoenix and Tucson exploded with newcomers from California and the Midwest, according to Jessica Boehm of Axios. Home prices surged more than 50% in some areas between 2019 and 2022. Rental markets tightened so fast that many locals were priced out completely.
Now the state is grappling with a water crisis, crowded highways, and overwhelmed public services. It’s not uncommon to wait months for basic utilities or see two-hour commutes in metro areas. What was once a retirement dream now feels like a waiting room at the DMV—long, confusing, and frustrating. Arizona’s affordability has slipped, and residents are feeling the pressure.
3. Tennessee
Tennessee was the darling of relocation YouTubers and real estate blogs for years, thanks to no state income tax and affordable real estate. Nashville especially became a boomtown, drawing musicians, tech workers, and out-of-state investors, according to Lexie Horvath of WTVC. Between 2020 and 2023, housing prices in the city jumped by nearly 40%. The demand didn’t just raise prices—it reshaped entire neighborhoods.
Locals now talk about traffic bottlenecks, ballooning rents, and a cultural identity crisis. The city feels more like Austin-lite than the country music capital it used to be. Suburbs like Murfreesboro and Franklin are seeing similar crowding, without the city infrastructure to support it. Tennessee’s charm is still there, but it’s buried under a lot more noise.
4. North Carolina
North Carolina, especially cities like Raleigh and Charlotte, used to be known for their low cost of living and Southern hospitality. But tech industry growth and pandemic migration made it one of the fastest-growing states in the country, according to Lucille Sherman of Axios. Housing prices soared, with some suburbs seeing 30% increases in a single year. The Triangle area became a poster child for unexpected urban sprawl.
Now, gridlock and gentrification are major concerns. Locals often say their once-quiet neighborhoods feel like they’re under siege by development. It’s harder to find affordable housing, and public transportation hasn’t kept pace. The charm of college towns and piney backroads is fading behind new condos and chain stores.
5. Texas
Texas was once the land of opportunity for those fleeing high taxes and high costs in other states. Places like Austin, Dallas, and Houston were magnets for Californians looking for space and sunshine. But that boom came with a steep price—Austin’s housing prices more than doubled in a few short years. Even smaller cities like San Marcos saw rent hikes that shocked longtime residents.
Infrastructure hasn’t kept up, and power grid failures in winter only added to the confusion. Water issues and urban sprawl are turning excitement into frustration. Traffic is brutal in cities where commutes used to be a breeze. For many, Texas no longer feels like the budget-friendly escape it once was.
6. Montana
Montana, especially areas like Bozeman and Missoula, used to be the last frontier for budget-minded nature lovers. But when remote work took off, people with big-city budgets descended en masse. Bozeman’s housing costs doubled between 2020 and 2023, pricing out many locals who’d lived there for generations. Cabins turned into vacation rentals almost overnight.
Locals now call it the “Montana Mirage”—it looks peaceful, but it’s anything but. Schools are crowded, services are thin, and resentment is growing. What used to be a peaceful escape is now a battleground over zoning and development. Montana might still have the views, but it’s lost its affordability edge.
7. Georgia
Georgia, particularly the Atlanta metro area, used to be a solid choice for families looking for affordable housing and decent schools. But in the last five years, metro Atlanta has seen a population boom that sent home prices and rents through the roof. Once-affordable suburbs like Decatur and Marietta are now pricey and packed. The beltline turned into a buzzword for overdevelopment.
Now, traffic is consistently ranked among the worst in the country. Schools are overcrowded, and gentrification has displaced long-term residents. Atlanta’s vibe is changing, and not everyone’s thrilled about it. What was once a Southern bargain is now another big-city puzzle.
8. Colorado
Colorado used to be a go-to for nature lovers who didn’t want to pay California prices. But ever since the early 2010s, and especially after 2020, Denver and surrounding areas have been inundated with newcomers. Rents climbed fast, and even remote mountain towns like Durango and Telluride saw affordability vanish. Short-term rentals took over entire neighborhoods.
Now the roads into Denver are clogged, and housing scarcity is a hot-button political issue. Locals complain about everything from rising crime to disappearing community identity. The great outdoors are still there, but so are higher taxes and stiff competition for housing. Colorado’s low-cost appeal has definitely dimmed.
9. Nevada
Nevada, especially Reno and Las Vegas, used to be havens for affordable living with a touch of glamour. But a flood of California transplants pushed housing prices skyward—Reno saw its median home price nearly double from 2019 to 2022. At the same time, wages didn’t keep pace, and rental markets became brutal. Once-cheap living quickly turned into financial stress for locals.
Las Vegas in particular now feels more chaotic than ever. The city’s infrastructure wasn’t built for this kind of sustained population growth. Traffic congestion, school overcrowding, and rising utilities are common complaints. Nevada’s “get-rich-and-settle-down” vibe is giving way to something more complicated.
10. Oregon
Oregon, especially outside of Portland, was once seen as a breath of fresh air for budget-conscious creatives and young families. But the influx of residents from California and Washington drove up home prices and rents in places like Bend, Eugene, and even smaller towns. Bend’s real estate market became one of the hottest in the country for a time, despite its modest population. Locals began to feel squeezed out.
The state now struggles with housing shortages, increasing homelessness, and a confusing political climate. Infrastructure hasn’t caught up, and natural disasters like wildfires add pressure. The Oregon dream now feels like it’s stuck in traffic on I-5. What was once a peaceful refuge is now an overcrowded hotspot.
11. Florida
Florida was long considered the retirement state with sunshine and low costs to match. But the pandemic changed everything—suddenly, every East Coaster with a laptop was buying up condos in Miami or bungalows in Tampa. Housing prices surged in almost every metro area, particularly on the coasts. Renters and first-time buyers have had a rough time finding anything affordable.
And then there’s the insurance crisis, with some homeowners seeing their premiums double or losing coverage altogether. Public services are strained, especially in fast-growing counties. Climate risks and political polarization add to the confusion. Florida’s still warm, but it’s no longer an easy place to start fresh on a budget.
12. Utah
Utah used to fly under the radar, known for its majestic landscapes and relatively affordable cities like Salt Lake and St. George. But the secret got out, and now those same cities are among the fastest-growing in the country. Salt Lake City saw home prices shoot up by over 70% between 2015 and 2022. That growth came with major affordability concerns and infrastructure issues.
Even rural towns have felt the pinch, with housing in Moab and Park City becoming out of reach for most locals. Water issues, especially around the Great Salt Lake, are sparking serious debates. Locals are feeling pushed out of communities their families built generations ago. Utah still has stunning scenery—but it comes at a much higher cost now.
