Abortion access, gun safety, immigrant treatment, safety net size, voting ease, and LGBTQ rights are just a few policy issues that have caused a significant divide between red and blue states over the past thirty years. This divide has not only affected taxes, benefits, and government interactions, but also the cost of housing. Blue states, in particular, have limited their housing supply, leading to skyrocketing prices and prompting families to relocate to more affordable red states in the Sun Belt.
These trends have become more pronounced in recent years as conservative legislatures pass laws restricting abortion access and targeting LGBTQ Americans. The housing shortage has also contributed to the situation. Many Americans find themselves stuck in states with conservative policies they don’t support, but where real estate is cheap. This is one of the key findings from a recent Redfin survey that focused on people who rent their homes or are considering moving.
The survey found that respondents were more inclined to prefer living in states where abortion and gender-affirming care are legal. However, housing costs were twice as likely to be a decisive factor in determining where they would live. The report specifically examined two red states, Texas and Florida, both of which have enacted abortion restrictions and implemented statutes affecting trans people.
Despite these conservative policies, these states remain attractive to families from blue, coastal areas due to affordability and job opportunities. According to Daryl Fairweather, the chief economist of Redfin, many individuals face a trade-off between living in a place with more affordable housing and favorable laws. Financial considerations, such as the cost of living, job opportunities, available home sizes, and proximity to family, were more frequently cited as the main factors influencing settlement decisions.
The housing shortage in the country over the past two decades has resulted in fewer people moving compared to previous years. Job opportunities in major cities like Boston and Oakland attract workers with higher salaries, but the rising housing costs in those areas have made them unaffordable for many. This has led to a migration pattern of Americans moving to more affordable regions in the Sun Belt and the Mountain West. The population growth in red states like Texas and Florida has increased their political influence, with the addition of congressional seats.
While anti-LGBTQ laws have motivated some individuals to leave red states, others do not have the means or flexibility to relocate. Concerns about personal safety and access to healthcare, along with feeling targeted by anti-LGBTQ politicians, have driven some individuals to move. However, limited resources and higher costs of living in other areas make it difficult for many queer and trans individuals to uproot their lives.
The survey also revealed that, despite a preference for legal access to abortion and gender-affirming care, relatively few people would actually move due to changes in healthcare statutes. Abortion access already heavily depends on a person’s physical location and socioeconomic status. Wealthy individuals may travel to other states for abortions, while others are trapped in areas with limited access due to financial constraints.
Overall, the geographical division caused by differing policies and housing affordability is expected to perpetuate existing socioeconomic inequalities. The loss of abortion access in certain states is predicted to worsen the health and financial outcomes for those unable to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Additionally, many companies are avoiding doing business in states with strict abortion bans. However, the barriers and expenses associated with crossing state lines to access abortion care make relocation an unrealistic option for many.
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