An IMGlobalWealth.com News Report
A recent report by Forbes suggests that “Santa Fe, Costa Rica, and Portugal are among the destinations attracting Americans in 2026,” as remote work continues to loosen the link between where people earn and where they live.
That narrative is supported by official data, though the underlying dynamics are more complex. According to the United States Census Bureau, large urban counties in the United States continue to lose residents through domestic migration. In 2025 alone, the country’s largest counties recorded a net loss of over 637,000 people, while smaller metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas gained population.
” 18.5 million Americans identify as digital nomads, representing a dramatic increase compared to pre-pandemic levels”
The same trend is reflected regionally. Census analysis shows that states such as Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas continue to attract inbound migration, driven by a mix of economic opportunity, lower living costs, and demographic shifts.
Remote work remains a key enabler, even if its growth has stabilised. Research published by WFH Research indicates that working from home has settled at roughly one day per week globally, suggesting a structural rather than temporary shift.
Similarly, data from Gallup shows that hybrid work has become the dominant model among remote-capable employees, with workers spending an average of 2.3 days per week in the office.
This flexibility is supporting a more mobile workforce. A 2025 report by MBO Partners estimates that 18.5 million Americans identify as digital nomads, representing a dramatic increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The shift is not limited to cities versus suburbs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, non-metropolitan areas recorded a population increase of nearly one million people between 2020 and 2024, with the majority driven by domestic migration.
Internationally, destinations highlighted by Forbes align with broader policy trends. Countries such as Costa Rica are actively promoting digital nomad residency pathways to attract remote earners.
The broader conclusion is that geography is no longer dictated solely by employment. Instead, individuals are increasingly selecting locations based on a combination of cost, lifestyle, and flexibility, turning migration into a form of consumer choice.
Yet the data also suggests that this is not a simple urban exodus. Population flows remain tied to economic fundamentals, taxation, and infrastructure, even as remote work expands the range of viable options.
