Where are People Moving to in 2025?
2025 has been a year full of uncertainty and change, and there's no telling how these trends will impact migration in the United States. From inflation challenges to the rising cost of living, people are actively reevaluating their lives to ensure they can afford their current way of life. Families are relocating to the suburbs, waving goodbye to big cities, and looking for new opportunities in states that offer a more affordable lifestyle.
Ongoing economic and social trends are disrupting US migration patterns, and we've been watching which states are impacted the most. Here's a look at what states people are moving to in 2025.
Mid-Year Trends At a Glance
- California and Illinois saw the highest uptick in outbound movement
- Idaho saw the largest uptick in inbound movement at 76%
- New York was in the top five states with the highest inbound movement, at 58%
- Cities like Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC, continue to see a steady increase in inbound movers
- Economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living are the driving factors for migration in the United States
Steady Trends for Top Outbound States
When comparing 2024 vs. 2025, the outbound data remains steady. California continues to see the most significant uptick in outbound movers, with Illinois a close second behind. These states both have a competitive housing market and a high cost of living.
Colorado also saw a significant increase in outbound movers for the first half of the year. The cost of living in Colorado has significantly increased over the last several years. While small, rural cities remain affordable, cities like Denver are less affordable than they once were.
Arizona and Florida weren't on the top five outbound states list for 2024, but they are now seeing a significant increase in outbound movers. This is largely due to the rising cost of living and extreme weather. In Arizona, homeowners must find ways to live with extreme heat during the summer, while Floridians struggle with hurricanes and tropical storms. For Florida specifically, the increase in outbound movers may also be driven by the rising insurance costs caused by natural disasters.
Surprising New Inbound State: New York
New York is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. Whether relocating to a suburb upstate or New York City for a job, you can expect to pay a premium to live in the state. However, when exploring where people are moving to in 2025, it was surprising that New York was one of the top inbound states for the first half of 2025.
While New York is expensive, it's a state full of opportunities. Many family-friendly suburbs outside of NYC are perfect for newly married couples looking to settle down and start a family. There are also many job opportunities in the city and neighboring areas. New York is also close to many other states in the northeastern United States. You can live in New York and commute to Washington, D.C., or Pennsylvania.
The increase in inbound movers may be caused by the new return-to-office mandates that large companies are starting to enforce. It could also be that families and individuals are moving to more affordable parts of the state, like Buffalo or Syracuse.
Other Inbound States Seeing Movement
North Carolina and South Carolina saw the most inbound movement for the first half of 2025. Both states have seen a steady uptick in new inbound movers since 2024, and the top cities with the most inbound movers are Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC. Both places are close to nature, have a relatively low cost of living, and plenty of job opportunities across different industries.
Idaho and Oregon also saw a steady increase in inbound movers. These places were not listed as the top inbound states for 2024. However, they are among some of the most affordable places to live in the Northwest. However, cities like Boise and Portland offer a big-city vibe for a fraction of the cost, which is appealing to younger adults and young families.
Where People Are Moving to: What Social Trends Are Driving Change?
There are many reasons why a family or individual may decide to relocate in 2025. Whether relocating to be closer to family or starting a new job in a different city, it can be challenging to pinpoint exactly what social trends and changes are causing shifts in US migration patterns.
Economic shifts and housing demand continue to play a key role in the migration trends. Many individuals are relocating to lower their cost of living or to accommodate their need for more space. While the economy had a rocky start at the beginning of the year, there's no telling exactly how these economic shifts will continue to influence movement trends.
We'll continue to track the latest US migration patterns and provide a full update for 2025 at the end of the year. Track the latest changes and trends with our interactive migration map.