The Census Bureau data matches reports that have found more first-time homebuyers are relocating to the Midwest and parts of the South — particularly, Texas — in search of more stable markets and housing affordability.
A recent survey by SmartAsset named Texas the best state for first-time buyers, with seven of its cities cracking the survey’s top 25, including three in the top 10, due to their low market volatility and high number of mortgage lenders.