A 2026 survey of affluent Americans found that a majority would consider moving abroad within five years, with cost of living, taxes, political climate, healthcare, public safety, and geopolitical risk among the main drivers. The findings suggest that for many high-income U.S. households, international mobility is increasingly being treated as a planning tool rather than only a lifestyle decision.
The Apex Capital Partners 2026 Expatriation Survey polled 1,733 Americans earning $200,000 or more in annual household income. Respondents came from all nine U.S. Census regions, with balanced representation across gender and political affiliation.
The survey was conducted in May 2026 and was administered digitally. According to the survey methodology, 93% of respondents completed it on mobile devices. The stated margin of error is approximately ±2.4% at the 95% confidence level.
61% would consider moving abroad
The headline finding was that 60.99% of affluent Americans surveyed said they would consider moving to another country within the next five years.
Among the 1,733 respondents:
- 1,057 answered yes;
- 676 answered no.
The survey measures consideration, not completed relocation. It does not mean that 61% of affluent Americans are actively preparing to leave the United States. It does show that moving abroad has entered serious consideration for a majority of high-income respondents.
The article frames this as part of a broader shift toward “optionality”: households may research residence-by-investment programs, second citizenship, foreign bank accounts, international schools, overseas real estate, or tax residency planning even if they never physically relocate.
Main reasons: cost of living and taxes
Among respondents interested in leaving the United States, cost of living and taxes ranked as the leading reason.
Respondents could select multiple reasons. The survey reported:
- 67.69% cited cost of living and taxes;
- 54.11% cited political climate;
- 39.29% cited healthcare;
- 28.78% cited public safety;
- 20.75% cited education;
- 12.43% selected other reasons.
The article notes that expatriation interest is often described as political, but the survey suggests that financial pressure is the leading driver among respondents.
It also cites broader U.S. economic pressure. In May 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 4.2% over the previous 12 months, with energy, shelter, food, medical care, airline fares, personal care, and recreation among contributing categories.
The Federal Reserve’s 2026 report on the economic well-being of U.S. households is also cited as finding that price increases remained the most common financial concern, with just above 9 in 10 adults saying price increases were a minor or major concern.
For households earning at least $200,000, the issue is not always basic affordability. The article frames it as a question of whether it still makes sense to keep taxes, housing, insurance, education, healthcare, and daily expenses concentrated in one high-cost jurisdiction.
Political concern crosses party lines
Political climate was the second-most cited reason for considering leaving the United States, selected by 54.11% of relevant respondents.
However, the survey also found that expatriation interest is not concentrated in one political group. Respondents described their political views as:
- 33.17% right-leaning;
- 33.17% left-leaning;
- 31.93% center;
- 1.72% other.
The article presents this as evidence that interest in relocation, second citizenship, and international diversification cannot be reduced to one partisan reaction. Different households may be concerned about different issues, including taxes, healthcare, political volatility, public safety, education, or geopolitical instability.
Iran War concerns
The survey asked respondents how the Iran War concerns them about the future of the United States. A total of 74% expressed moderate to significant concern:
- 43.62% were significantly concerned;
- 30.97% were moderately concerned;
- 10.35% were not concerned at all.
The article links geopolitical risk to household planning because it can affect travel, markets, supply chains, energy prices, security conditions, business continuity, foreign assets, and family decisions.
The practical implication is that some families may seek mobility rights before a crisis limits movement, rather than waiting until relocation becomes urgent.
Asset diversification outside the United States
The survey found that 63.29% of respondents had considered diversifying assets outside the United States.
Among 1,046 respondents to that question:
- 662 answered yes;
- 384 answered no.
The article describes this as a shift from traditional portfolio diversification toward geographic and jurisdictional diversification. International asset diversification may include:
- Foreign bank accounts;
- Non-U.S. investment structures;
- International real estate;
- Global funds;
- Overseas business entities;
- Currency diversification;
- Residency or citizenship-linked jurisdictional planning.
The article does not describe this as a rejection of the United States. It frames it as recognition of concentration risk: a household may be exposed to one country’s tax system, banking system, courts, currency, politics, healthcare model, education system, and capital controls.
Economic sentiment among high earners
The survey also asked respondents how they view the current U.S. economy. Pessimism outweighed optimism:
- 30.69% described the economy as weak;
- 10.80% described it as very weak;
- 26.96% were neutral;
- 18.83% described it as strong;
- 12.72% described it as very strong.
Combined, 41% viewed the economy as weak or very weak, while 32% viewed it as strong or very strong.
The article notes that this is significant because the survey focused on high-income households. Economic uncertainty can influence behavior even if it does not lead to immediate relocation. It may push households to explore second residence, additional citizenship, international holdings, overseas education, or long-term relocation planning.
Preferred destinations
Europe ranked first among regions respondents would consider moving to:
- Europe: 42.26%;
- Canada: 17.50%;
- Caribbean: 15.68%;
- South America: 10.13%;
- Asia: 9.75%;
- Other: 4.68%.
The article says Europe appeals to affluent Americans because of lifestyle, healthcare access, education, cultural familiarity, business connectivity, and residency pathways. Portugal and Greece are cited as central to the European residency conversation for investors seeking legal residence, Schengen access, and long-term optionality.
However, the European program landscape continues to change. Spain eliminated its Golden Visa route effective April 3, 2025. The article uses this as an example of why destination preference alone is not enough; applicants must also consider current program availability, due diligence standards, tax implications, physical presence requirements, family inclusion rules, processing timelines, and renewal obligations.
Canada ranked second, reflecting proximity, stability, healthcare, education infrastructure, and cultural familiarity.
The Caribbean ranked third, with appeal linked to faster citizenship routes, geographic proximity, possible tax advantages, family inclusion, and additional passport access.
Demographics of respondents
Among respondents who answered demographic questions, 92% were between ages 30 and 60:
- 51.69% were ages 30–44;
- 40.93% were ages 45–60;
- 7.38% were over 60.
The gender split was nearly even:
- 51.40% male;
- 48.60% female.
The article notes that respondents in the 30–60 age range are often in peak earning years, building families, managing businesses, acquiring assets, planning children’s education, caring for parents, investing for retirement, and making decisions that affect generational wealth.
For this group, global mobility may relate to children’s education, family security, business resilience, healthcare access, tax planning, or retirement optionality.
Regional distribution inside the United States
The survey included respondents from all nine U.S. Census regions:
- South Atlantic: 24.11%;
- Pacific: 16.40%;
- Middle Atlantic: 16.11%;
- East North Central: 13.08%;
- West South Central: 11.27%;
- East South Central: 5.14%;
- Mountain: 5.02%;
- New England: 4.90%;
- West North Central: 3.97%.
The article says this distribution suggests expatriation interest is not confined to one coast, one political region, one tax environment, or one cultural bloc.
The South Atlantic result may reflect affluent households in states such as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The Pacific and Middle Atlantic regions include major wealth centers such as California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Americans already living abroad
The survey measures intent, not actual relocation. For broader context, the article cites the Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimate that 5.5 million Americans live abroad.
It also notes that estimates vary and that the U.S. government does not maintain comprehensive lists of U.S. citizens residing overseas.
Expatriation versus preparation
The article distinguishes between legal expatriation and broader relocation planning.
In legal and tax contexts, expatriation may refer to relinquishing U.S. citizenship or long-term permanent residency. In public discussion, it often means moving abroad.
The survey focuses on the broader mobility question: whether affluent Americans would consider moving to another country within five years.
Most respondents exploring global mobility are not necessarily seeking to renounce U.S. citizenship. The article describes many as seeking additional options, such as:
- Another residence;
- Another passport;
- Another place to bank;
- Another jurisdiction for investment;
- Another school system for children;
- Another healthcare environment;
- Another retirement path.
The article frames this as “parallel planning”: remaining connected to the United States while building a second base or additional legal options elsewhere.
Role of citizenship and residency planning
The article connects the survey findings to citizenship-by-investment and residency-by-investment programs. It describes these programs as tools for mobility, risk management, lifestyle planning, family security, and international wealth strategy.
A household considering relocation or international diversification may need to evaluate:
- Program selection;
- Due diligence;
- Source-of-funds documentation;
- Family eligibility;
- Tax coordination;
- Banking considerations;
- Physical presence rules;
- Long-term exit strategy.
The main point is that interest in global mobility is rising alongside complexity. Programs vary by country, cost, processing time, residence obligation, tax impact, family inclusion, and long-term citizenship prospects.
Key takeaways
The 2026 Expatriation Survey presents global mobility as an increasingly mainstream planning issue among affluent Americans.
Key findings include:
- 61% would consider moving to another country within five years;
- 68% cite cost of living and taxes as a primary driver;
- 54% cite political climate;
- 74% express moderate to significant concern about the Iran War’s impact on the future of the United States;
- 63% have considered diversifying assets outside the United States;
- 42% prefer Europe as a possible destination;
- Expatriation interest is nearly evenly distributed among right-leaning, left-leaning, and centrist respondents.
The survey does not predict a sudden mass departure of affluent Americans. It shows that many high-income households are reassessing the risk of keeping residence, assets, banking, education, healthcare, tax exposure, and mobility tied to a single country.
For affluent Americans in 2026, global mobility is increasingly described not only as a question of where to live, but as a way to preserve choice, protect wealth, and plan for uncertainty.
Source article: apexcapital.one
