PODS® Fifth Annual Moving Trends Report Reveals American Cities with the Most Move-Ins and Move-Outs

Southeast Dominates with Eight of the Top Ten Cities for Move-Ins, While California Continues to See an Exodus with the Most Move-Outs

CLEARWATER, Fla. (May 20, 2025) – PODS Enterprises, LLC, an industry leader that revolutionized the moving and storage category through its portable container service offerings, today unveiled its fifth annual Moving Trends Report, highlighting the U.S. cities with the most move-ins and move-outs.

Southeastern states continue to reign supreme as the most desired moving destinations

What about the Southeast draws Americans and makes it the most popular region again for 2025? According to this year’s report, places like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina continue to be a popular choice among movers for their mild climate, lower cost of living compared to larger cities, and laid-back lifestyle that is appealing to both retirees and families alike.

Top 10 cities with the highest number of move-ins:

1. Myrtle Beach, SC / Wilmington, NC (1st in 2024)
   
2. Ocala, FL (2nd in 2024)
   
3. Raleigh, NC (6th in 2024)
   
4. Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (4th in 2024)
   
5. Dallas Fort-Worth, TX (unranked in 2024)
   
6. Charlotte, NC (5th in 2024)
   
7. Boise, ID (11th in 2024)
   
8. Knoxville, TN (8th in 2024)
   
9. Nashville, TN (13th in 2024)
10. Jacksonville, FL (9th in 2024)

“Our fifth annual Moving Trends Report underscores the major trends that have shaped Americans’ moving patterns and preferences over the past few years—an assumed desire for warmer climates, lower costs of living, and a greater focus on balance and quality of life,” said Rich Schwartz, SVP of Corporate Operations at PODS. “While the Southeast continues to dominate the top of the list, we are seeing areas across the south, like Dallas-Fort Worth, making big moves.”

The Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, area, unranked in 2024, is also attracting newcomers with its strong job market, mild winters, and lower cost of living compared to other major cities in the United States.

So long, SoCal – Los Angeles leads the pack for the third year in a row with the most move-outs

Southern California’s beaches and carefree lifestyle may be part of a bygone area, at least for now, as the Golden State takes the top spot with three of the top ten most moved from cities. With surging home costs, higher grocery and gas prices, as well as traffic and overpopulation concerns, the state’s major cities are seeing major move-outs.

Chicago and Boston also made the top ten list, where higher costs of living and brutal winters serve as motivating factors for those seeking sunnier respites.

“The Northeast and West Coast continue to see a steady increase in people moving out likely due to high costs of living, overcrowding, and spiking insurance premiums, among other factors,” added Schwartz. “As economic uncertainty persists and the housing market remains tight, we anticipate a continued migration toward more affordable and emerging markets throughout the country.”

Top 10 cities with the highest number of move-outs:

1. Los Angeles, CA (1st in 2024)
   
2. Northern California (San Francisco area) (2nd in 2024)
   
3. South Florida (Miami area) (3rd in 2024)
   
4. Long Island, NY (Serving parts of NYC) (4th in 2024)
   
5. San Diego, CA (8th in 2024)
   
6. Central Jersey, NJ (6th in 2024)
   
7. Chicago, IL (7th in 2024)
   
8. Boston, MA (13th in 2024)
   
9. Hudson Valley, NY (10th in 2024)
   
10. Denver, CO (12th in 2024)
    

Notably, the top four areas with the most move-outs, along with those at numbers six and seven, remain unchanged from 2024.

Major moves in the Midwest and Florida could show future moving trends

While not in the top move-in cities quite yet, there was a notable uptick in moves to the Midwest compared to the previous year. Many of these moves originated from Florida, the Northeast, Arizona, and Nevada. Midwestern cities are appealing for their balanced lifestyles, true four seasons, and affordable living costs.

Tampa Bay and Sarasota are key factors in Florida’s shift from a primarily inbound state to an outbound one, as the state faces high insurance premiums and increasing natural disasters. Many who left Florida moved to the Midwest, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and the Northeast.

The data in the Moving Trends Report analyzes net long-distance moves and found that this year, the average distance moved by long-distance PODS customers from January 2024 to March 2025 increased. As well, almost 92% of long-distance moves were out-of-state, which is nearly identical to the previous year’s percentage.

To see the full top 20 list of the cities Americans are moving to and from, as well as expert analysis, please visit the full post on the PODS Blog.

About PODS Enterprises, LLC
A trusted moving and storage leader for more than 25 years, PODS offers a simpler and more flexible way to move. PODS pioneered portable moving and storage in 1998 and has been giving customers control over their moves by adapting to their pace, dates, and locations ever since. Today, with over seven million moves, PODS provides residential and commercial moving and storage services in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. Whether it's a long-distance or international relocation, an across-town move, or a renovation project, there is a PODS solution for any move. To learn more, visit PODS.com.

Contact:

Trent Brock
PODS Enterprises, LLC
pressrequest@pods.com