The States Most Interested in Moving to Canada in 2026
The state most eager to relocate to Canada is Vermont, with residents searching “moving to Canada” more than any other state in the last week.
The state least interested in moving to Canada is Mississippi, where search interest is minimal.
Currently, about 31% of Americans express either “very interested” or “somewhat interested” in relocating to Canada.
Each year, at least 10,000 Americans make the journey to Canada.
Oh Canada, the land of maple syrup, hockey, and unique cultural quirks! It’s no surprise that our friendly neighbor to the north is highly regarded as a desirable place to live.
Whenever the U.S. faces uncertainty, interest in “moving to Canada” tends to surge. This trend was particularly evident during recent national events and elections, prompting many Americans to explore what life might be like in Canada.
We analyzed Google Trends data to pinpoint where in the United States people are most interested in moving to the Great White North.
Other Interesting Findings
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Following Vermont, Maine and Oregon show a strong desire to trade their dollars for maple syrup and embrace Canadian culture.
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All of the top 10 states wishing to move to Canada share a cooler climate.
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The state with the least interest in relocating to Canada is Mississippi. Whether it’s due to the warmer climate, distance, or a strong preference to remain in the U.S., their reasons remain a mystery.
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After Mississippi, Hawaii follows as the second least interested state in moving north.
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Related search queries like “best countries to move to from the U.S.” indicate that many Americans are open to international relocation.
Our Methodology
Using Google Trends, we identified which states had the highest search frequency for “moving to Canada.” The data reflects a notable uptick in interest recently, especially surrounding significant national events. While not everyone exploring this option will act on it, the interest is certainly there.
For insights into other countries Americans are considering, we applied the same method, replacing “Canada” with other destinations in the search query.
States Most Interested in Moving to Canada
Considering Other Countries
While Canada remains the most sought-after destination for relocation among U.S. workers, other countries are also on the radar. Here’s a look at some alternatives:
California – Japan
Colorado – Spain, Costa Rica
Florida – France, Panama, England
Hawaii – New Zealand
Indiana – China
New Mexico – Mexico
Nevada – Australia
Oregon – Germany, Ireland, UK
Pennsylvania – Norway
New York – Switzerland
Washington – Italy
Moving to Canada: The Challenges
Despite the rising interest in moving to Canada, many individuals may not follow through with their plans.
Relocating to Canada—and most other countries—requires substantial paperwork and often involves navigating a foreign job market from afar to secure a visa. The process can be time-consuming and costly, but many Americans are exploring it nonetheless, pondering the possibility of snowier horizons.
The States Most Interested in Moving to Canada (Ranked)
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont |
| 2 | Maine |
| 3 | Oregon |
| 4 | Colorado |
| 5 | Washington |
| 6 | Delaware |
| 7 | Montana |
| 8 | Wyoming |
| 9 | Alaska |
| 10 | Idaho |
| 11 | New Mexico |
| 12 | Massachusetts |
| 12 | Utah |
| 14 | Minnesota |
| 14 | West Virginia |
| 16 | Pennsylvania |
| 17 | Wisconsin |
| 17 | Indiana |
| 17 | Missouri |
| 17 | Nevada |
| 21 | Ohio |
| 21 | Maryland |
| 23 | Connecticut |
| 23 | Michigan |
| 25 | California |
| 25 | Tennessee |
| 25 | Illinois |
| 28 | North Carolina |
| 29 | Arizona |
| 30 | Iowa |
| 31 | Rhode Island |
| 31 | North Dakota |
| 33 | South Dakota |
| 34 | Oklahoma |
| 34 | Kansas |
| 34 | New York |
| 37 | New Hampshire |
| 37 | New Jersey |
| 37 | Virginia |
| 40 | Arkansas |
| 40 | Texas |
| 42 | Kentucky |
| 43 | Florida |
| 44 | Louisiana |
| 44 | Alabama |
| 44 | South Carolina |
| 47 | Nebraska |
| 47 | Georgia |
| 49 | District of Columbia |
| 50 | Hawaii |
| 50 | Mississippi |
In conclusion, as interest in relocating to Canada grows, it’s essential to recognize the complexities involved in the immigration process. Whether driven by political, economic, or personal factors, the desire to explore new opportunities in Canada continues to resonate with many Americans in 2026.
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
