PODS Moving Trends Report: Where Are People Moving to (and From) in 2025?
Moving Trends
Between the pandemic shake-up, changing work policies, economic factors, and natural disasters, the last half-decade has given the moving industry a run for its money. Our annual PODS moving trends report charts a wide arc, including cities making reliable reappearances, surprising disappearances, or complete 180s. So, where are people moving to in 2025? By analyzing PODS’ net long-distance moving numbers between January 2024 and March 2025, and comparing those to previous years, we are able to weed out both temporary hotspots and long-term draws. We can also more clearly identify cities, states, and regions that have continued to lose residents for years, regardless of trends.
| Planning a move in 2025? Start by getting a quote from PODS. |
Despite ever-changing economic and lifestyle factors, we’re beginning to identify ongoing moving trends. Stalwart patterns continue to show an exodus from once-popular hive-like megacities — where skyrocketing costs of living and population densities are the norm — in favor of smaller, more breathable cities and towns with lower costs of living, easier access to the outdoors, and vibrant, self-contained cultural scenes.
We can’t wait to share this mix of expected favorites and curious new arrivals, along with the sometimes contradictory reasons why people are likely packing up and heading someplace new. We’ll cover the top states and even the top cities people are moving to and from this year, the role of cost of living and inflation, and other key factors that may affect the moving market in 2025. There are a lot of things up in the air, but, as always, PODS has your back.
Before we get down into the nitty-gritty, here’s an overview of this year’s moving trends takeaways to give you a taste of what our latest PODS customer data uncovered.
The Myrtle Beach/Wilmington area takes the No. 1 spot on our list of top cities people are moving to for a record-setting third year.
Big Picture: 2025 Moving Trend Takeaways
Where Is the Best Place To Move in 2025?
The Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC, area tops our list for a record-setting third year, suggesting more people may be embracing the idea of living where others vacation. Living in this southeastern coastal area checks off boxes like affordability, friendliness, and access to nature, though it’s not without risk during the Atlantic hurricane season. People are also continuing to move to Boise, a recurring favorite among families and retirees, as well as Knoxville, a particularly popular city for young professionals.
Where Are Most People Moving to in 2025?
Two-thirds of overall moves are unpacking in states along the aptly-named Sun Belt. The majority of the most moved-to states in 2025 are sunny states with warm weather. However, a deeper look reveals the most popular states to move to are overwhelmingly located in the Southeast. Cities in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina dominated our list this year, echoing moving trends from recent years.
What State Is Everyone Moving To?
North Carolina continues to woo new residents with its lower cost of living, job opportunities, access to outdoor activities, and Southern hospitality. Boasting five out of the 20 top cities people are moving to in 2025, the Tarheel State takes first place among the most moved-to states on this year’s list. However, Tennessee isn’t far behind with four cities showing up in the ranks, making it one of the most popular states to move to — and one to continue to watch.
Where Are Most Americans Moving to Now?
In 2024, we noticed most Americans heading for new homes in the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia. While this year’s moving trends are similar, there are small (but significant) changes to where people are moving now. Georgia, Florida, and Texas are quietly falling off the list as more people move to places in Southern Appalachian states and the Pacific Northwest.
Are People Still Moving to Florida?
Yes, people are still moving to Florida, but it is no longer the hotspot of years past. Between 2021 and 2023, Florida consistently had at least six cities on our list of top cities people are moving to — but this year, there are only two: Ocala and Jacksonville. This trend is in line with overall net migration reports that show 2024’s post-peak migration numbers to the Sunshine State. In fact, two Floridian cities actually made our list of top move-out cities this year.
Where Are People in Florida Moving to in 2025?
Many of those who left Florida moved to the Midwest, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and the Northeast. Actually, we saw a notable uptick in relocations to the Midwest compared to the previous period. Many of these moves originated from Florida, as well as from the Northeast, Arizona, and Nevada.
Ranking at No. 5, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a newcomer to our list of top cities people are moving to in 2025.
Top Cities People Are Moving to in 2025
This year’s move-in list hints at a few stable post-pandemic moving trends and somewhat predictable changes, but it’s not without the usual city-level surprises.
Four cities maintained the same positions as last year, and the Carolinas continue to bring home the blue ribbon as the most moved-to states in 2025. We also welcomed four newcomers to the list — Dallas-Fort Worth, Chattanooga, Spokane, and San Antonio — and said a surprising goodbye to Savannah, Houston, Orlando, and Phoenix (a recurring favorite spot among retirees).
Every city on this year’s list has appeared at least once before, including eight areas that have appeared each year for the last half-decade: Ocala, Boise, Knoxville, Greenville-Spartanburg, Jacksonville, Asheville, Portland (ME), and Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC. Even though moving trends are affected by many factors — and the last five years have been somewhat unpredictable outlier years because of events like the pandemic and increased severe weather — we are finally starting to pull familiar moving trends into sharper focus and recognize staying power of particular regions, most notably the Southeast.
For the second year in a row, the Carolinas have the highest number of ranking cities on our list and the highest number of cities in the top 10. Additionally, the Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC, area returns in the number one spot for the third year in a row — setting another PODS moving trends record. Greenville-Spartanburg stays steady in 4th, while Raleigh continues to move up the list from 20th in 2023 to 6th last year, and 3rd in 2025. In contrast, Charlotte drops down one spot to 6th, and the biggest change comes from Asheville, which plummeted from 10th to 18th (likely a result of the immense devastation of property and infrastructure from the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season).
Our latest moving trends data demonstrates that previous pandemic moving hotspots, like Florida and Texas, have cooled down. Just two years ago, Florida was home to half of the cities within the top 10. This year? Only a fraction of Florida cities made the list. Similarly, Texas cities like Austin and Houston, which saw an influx of new residents during the pandemic, didn’t even make the list this year.
Here’s a look at our full breakdown of the 20 top cities people are moving to in 2025, with their position from last year’s list in parentheses.
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20 Cities With the Highest Number of Move-Ins Ranked
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Where are people moving to in 2025? Raleigh has continued to climb the ranks, earning the No. 3 spot on our list.
The Southeast Region Continues To Dominate
The fact that most cities on this year’s list are in the Southeast is impressive enough, but taking a closer look reveals that 10 out of the 20 cities come from just two areas: the Carolinas and Tennessee.
Although Asheville slipped significantly down the list, North Carolina once again has three cities in the top 10. As mentioned, the Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC, area celebrates its third year as top dog, while Raleigh’s continued climb entered it into our top three. And, even though it fell one notch, Charlotte returns as 6th on the list. Greensboro and Asheville also made it into the top 20, making North Carolina the top state to move to this year, while Greenville-Spartanburg is once again representing South Carolina at No. 4.
| Curious about life in the Carolinas? Read all about Living in Myrtle Beach, SC, on the PODS Blog. |
Can the Carolinas hold on to the crown? In 2023, we noted the Carolinas as states worth watching, and in 2024, we noticed a sly state moving up in the wings. The Tennessee takeover continues this year as the Volunteer State adds Chattanooga to the list for a total of four cities, including returnees Johnson City, Nashville, and Knoxville. As it stands, the only PODS service area in Tennessee left to make an entrance on the list is Memphis — so you’d better believe we’re keeping our eyes peeled as this becomes one of the top states people are moving to.
Both the Carolinas and Tennessee boast lower-than-average costs of living, southern charm, and lively culinary scenes as big draws. The Carolinas shine with a larger diversity of nature that ranges from mountains to beaches to forestlands, while Tennessee offers residents rivers, lakes, mountains, and plains. Not to mention, according to Rentcafe March 2025 estimates, rentals in these three states are around $200 below the national average of $1,750 per month. Home values are currently resting at $361,300 nationally (up 2.1 percent from the same time last year), while the average home value is $298,000 in South Carolina, $319,300 in Tennessee, and $331,800 in North Carolina (though values are not increasing quite as much as we’re seeing nationally).
Time will tell if the Carolinas’ growing economy and job market, low tax rates, and good quality of life will continue to draw new residents — or if the slightly lower cost of living, lack of personal income tax, and lower population density of Tennessee is enough to sway prospective movers toward the Smoky Mountain State.
Once the golden child of net migration, the Sunshine State seems to have officially lost its appeal.
More Changes for Florida and Texas
Two Texan cities reappeared on the list this year after taking a break in 2024: San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. The Dallas-Fort Worth area made an entrance in 5th, and San Antonio rounded out the list at number 19. Adding to the intrigue, we noticed that both cities held spots on our list in 2022 and 2023 but not 2021, so it will be interesting to see if they make appearances next year (especially as Austin continues to see more move-outs).
For the past two years, we’ve watched Florida fall out of favor for moves. Once the golden child of net migration, the Sunshine State seems to have lost its appeal. In 2024, Florida saw about half of the net migration numbers from the previous year. This year’s PODS moving trend data also shows Florida’s fall from grace, with a mere fraction of the number of the state’s usual number of cities making the list.
This year, Orlando disappeared from our list, leaving only two Florida cities in the ranks. Although Ocala managed to maintain the number two spot this year, the only other city to make the cut was Jacksonville, which slipped one spot from 9th to 10th.
Perhaps more interesting is that a once popular hotspot in Florida has debuted on our move-out list, but more on that later.
Portland, ME, is a longstanding fan-favorite city for move-ins and it continues to shine in the top 15 year after year.
City-Level Fan Favorite Outliers Worth Noting
While we’ve seen a heavy influx to the Sun Belt and Southeast, there are a few fan-favorite outlier cities that deserve a shoutout from this year’s list.Portland, ME, is a longstanding fan-favorite city for move-ins, and it continues to shine in the top 15 year after year, usually hovering in 12th or 13th on the list (this year, it comes in 13th). The truth is, people love living in Portland, ME! This coastal New England city is loaded with seaside charm, sunny summers, moody winters, and a casual, laid-back, artistic and friendly vibe. With more and more people looking for a good quality of life, it’s no shock that Portland, ME, continues to show up on our list, though its small-town size isn’t for everyone.
Another returning champ is Boise, a choice city for retirees and families. Wide open spaces, easy access to nature and outdoor activities, and reliably good schools within the district are big draws. This capital city may be on the expensive side when compared to other Idahoan cities, but when it comes to other big swingers in the Pacific Northwest, like Seattle or Portland, it is much more affordable (no wonder it’s moving up on our list every year). It’s also worth noting that Spokane — 15th on this year’s list after dropping off in 2024 — is likely catching overflow from PNW residents being priced out of increasingly expensive cities in the region.
Dover has also proved it has staying power, making its third consecutive appearance on our list this year. Although some may consider Delaware a Southern state because of where it lies geographically, historically and culturally, most people consider it a Northeastern state, making it another outlier on the list. This family-friendly community offers residents a small-town feel, affordable cost of living, and access to larger metropolitan areas like Washington, DC and Baltimore. Retiring in Delaware is also popular thanks to its above-average healthcare access, great tax benefits, and relaxing coastal vibe.
Los Angeles tops our list of the cities people are leaving in 2025.
Top 20 Cities and States People are Leaving in 2025
Seventy-five percent of the most moved-to cities on our list are located within the Sun Belt, while half of the most moved-out-of cities are up north — mostly in the West and Northeast. The outliers to this include Washington, DC, and South Florida, which placed 14th and 3rd on the list, respectively.
Many of the cities and areas topping the list — Los Angeles, Northern California, South Florida, Long Island (part of the greater NYC area PODS services), and San Diego — have a combination of high costs of living, low housing affordability, increased natural disaster risks, and overcrowding. With the cost of living continuing to fuel many major moving decisions, it’s not surprising that some of the most expensive metros in the country are losing residents to areas with less congestion, better access to nature, and lower costs of living.
Seattle, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia are new to the list this year, but have made appearances in previous years. Also new to the list — and never before on the move-out list — is Tampa Bay (in 16th). It’s a somewhat surprising shift considering Tampa Bay was recently on our move-in list, but not entirely shocking with the city’s significant population boom. Development has been ongoing for nearly a decade, prices have soared, traffic has multiplied, and the increasing risk from hurricanes have pushed both transplants and native residents to their limits.
Cities that made the list last year but failed to feature for 2025 include Baltimore, Portland (OR), Northern New Jersey, and Minneapolis.
Top Cities and States People Are Leaving in 2025
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20 Cities With the Highest Number of Move-Outs Ranked
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One of the most noticeable moving trends — people are still leaving California in droves.
California's Mass Exodus Continues
People are still leaving California in droves. Echoing last year’s numbers, California is home to seven cities on our top 20 list of move-outs, though this year only three markets made it into the top 10. Both Los Angeles and Northern California return for the fourth year in a row as our number one and number two most moved-out-of cities, respectively, while San Diego jumped up three spots from 8th to 5th this year. Stockton-Modesto dropped out of the top 10, down to 13th this year, and Fresno and Bakersfield reappeared toward the bottom of the list again.
As of now, every PODS service area in California is on the move-out list, save the lone holdout of Sacramento.
With rising costs of living, California continues to have the highest number of exit moves in the country (the state’s cost of living is almost 50 percent above the national average). Housing prices are nearly double, according to California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office reports, with typical mortgage payments averaging around $5,500 per month — an astronomical ask when the median household income is $96,334 annually (or $8,027 per month before taxes). Speaking of taxes, California has some of the highest tax rates in the country, too.
| The Great California Move-Out: Here’s our report on Why Everyone is Leaving California — And Where People Are Moving to Instead |
In addition to personal finance woes, a June 2024 Public Policy of California poll highlighted the major issues Golden State residents have, including state budgeting, housing affordability, homelessness, and the state’s economic challenges. There’s also renewed concern over natural disasters after two massive fires burned for 24 days in January 2025, destroying approximately 40,000 acres, displacing over 100,000 residents, and taking the lives of nearly 30 individuals.
More People Are Leaving Florida Than Entering
This year, Tampa Bay debuts on our move-out list in 16th, joining recurring-ranker South Florida, which holds steady in 3rd. South Florida is no stranger to the move-out list, making the top five for the last three years running, but Tampa Bay’s appearance comes as a surprise since it previously ranked 4th and 9th on our move-in lists in 2022 and 2023, respectively. However, it was suspiciously absent last year, and now we see why.
In 2023, Florida recorded its then-largest-ever loss of residents, numbering over half a million people — placing the state in second behind California for most moves out. According to a Florida Chamber of Commerce report, seniors were still flocking to the state, while young adults began looking elsewhere for better and more affordable career and housing opportunities. Now, it appears seniors are also rethinking their addresses in the sun-drenched state.
Reasons behind the Florida Flee may boil down to risk vs. reward. Worsening severe weather impacts and population boom are likely big factors causing current residents and prospective movers to reassess the overall quality of life the state has to offer. The influx of new residents has also put a strain on the accessibility of healthcare, reduced job opportunities, and created more overall congestion throughout the state.
Florida has also seen an astronomical rise in the cost of living, with home prices rising upwards of 60 percent since 2020 and insurance rates jumping from roughly 25 percent to over 40 percent in the last year. The state also has one of the highest rates of inflation in the country. Adding to that, it has the highest home insurance premium costs, which are predicted to reach up to $15,460 annually by the end 2025 — up 9 percent from 2024 and a whopping 40 percent from 2023. These extra bumps in costs have likely begun to outweigh the lack of state income tax.
We will continue to watch Florida in the coming year, especially as the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. Although predicted to be less severe than 2024, nothing about the weather is a guarantee, and Florida has shown it is particularly prone to destructive hurricanes, flooding, storms, and winds.
| Thinking of making the big move? Check out our handy tips and checklist for out-of-state moves to make sure you’ve got everything on the list. |
Watchlist: Moving Trends 2025
Rising Inflation and Mortgage Rates
Between April 2024 and April 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2.4 percent rise in the consumer price index. This index tracks the costs of goods and services across several markets and is used as an indicator for inflation. This is 1.1 percent lower than the previous 12-month period, signaling slight relief.
Additionally, Freddie Mac currently reports high average weekly interest rates for 30-year mortgages at 6.76 percent, though this is still fractionally lower than the 7.09 percent rate from the same time last year. Unaffordable housing has previously been listed as a major factor behind Americans making fewer moves overall, or moving to more affordable areas, as our data has shown.
Possible New Tariffs
One of the biggest questions surrounding the U.S. economy of late is the Trump Administration’s imposition of tariffs on imported goods from foreign trading partners. Heavy tariffs may greatly increase daily costs of goods as the economic brunt of the new taxes would likely be passed down to the everyday consumer, affecting everything from food items to building supplies and technology.
There’s also speculation on whether the possible new tariffs, which, depending on the country of origin, are currently set to take effect late this summer and add up to 140 percent tax on foreign goods, will affect inflation and general interest rates. Currently, the Federal Reserve has set interest rates between 4.25 and 4.5 percent, down from last year’s high of 5.5 percent.
Natural Disaster and Severe Weather Risks
Unfortunately, severe weather and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and less predictable. Within the last year alone, we’ve seen a coast-to-coast increase in wildfires, near-historic tornado numbers, flooding, devastating high-category hurricanes, and extreme temperatures on both ends of the mercury reading. Severe weather and natural disasters alone caused billions of dollars worth of damage across the country in 2024.
Interestingly, the Midwest, Great Plains, and Southeastern regions saw the most action and the worst damages, yet heavily affected states like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee are home to several of the top-ranking cities on our move-to list.
| Moving budget hack: These 6 States Will Pay You To Move There |
While moving trends may always be in flux, it’s nice to know you can always rely on PODS to get you where you need to be. Three convenient container sizes are designed to handle moves that take you across the city or across the country. And they also offer flexible scheduling, built-in storage options, and pay-as-you-go pricing to make your move as seamless as possible. Know that you’re covered every step of the way, starting with helpful packing and moving tips, city guides, and good-to-know info on the PODS Blog.
Alex Keight is a writer who has lived — and moved — all over the country and the world. She is an expert at packing, whether it’s for a long-distance move or short weekend trip. When she’s not writing or on the move, Alex spends her time petting her cat, cooking up dishes in the kitchen, and buying way more books than she knows she’ll ever actually get to reading.
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