In 2024, moving trends are influenced by various factors such as employment opportunities, housing affordability, climate, and quality of life. Economic conditions and the continued flexibility of remote work are prompting many Americans to reconsider where they live.
According to a recent Architectural Digest survey, 55% of Americans expressed a desire to move, with affordability being the top motivation. This shift underscores the appeal of areas with lower housing costs, strong job markets, and appealing lifestyles.
In general, states with a lower cost of living, affordable housing, and a strong job market are likely to attract new residents.
Emerging Trends
States with attractive housing markets, such as Texas, South Carolina, and North Carolina, have seen steady population inflows, appealing particularly to young professionals and families looking for more space and economic stability.
Meanwhile, states with higher costs of living and competitive housing markets, like California and New York, continue to experience population outflows.
Southern states like Tennessee and the Carolinas have become hotspots for those looking to balance lifestyle and affordability. Many are drawn to these regions for their mild climates, outdoor recreational opportunities, and reasonable cost of living.
The Appalachian region has also seen growing interest as people seek out quieter lifestyles with access to nature while remaining near major metropolitan areas for work and social amenities.
Shifting Urban Centers
Some cities that were previously population magnets are now experiencing outflows as housing prices continue to climb. Urban centers like San Diego, Seattle, and New York City are seeing residents leave for smaller cities where homeownership feels more attainable and daily expenses are more manageable.
Cities in the Midwest, such as Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, are beginning to benefit from this movement, attracting individuals with affordable housing and an expanding job market.
Remote Work’s Influence on Migration
As remote and hybrid work policies have become more entrenched, Americans are increasingly moving away from traditional tech and finance hubs to find homes in areas that align with their lifestyle goals.
Instead of relocating solely for work, people choose locations offering access to the outdoors, safer neighborhoods, and quality schools. This shift continues to support growth in regions that might not have been considered major residential hubs pre-2020, expanding options for remote-friendly communities in suburban and rural settings.
These moving trends highlight the growing emphasis on affordability, lifestyle preferences, and flexibility as Americans weigh their options.
Sherpa’s Moving Analysis Methodology
To identify the top states people are moving to and from in 2024, SwiftHaul Auto Transport analyzed its car shipping data for 2024. We looked at net migration by using our auto transport customers’ pick-up locations and delivery destinations.
States with more pickups than deliveries will show a net migration outward, whereas states showing more deliveries than pickups represent moving trends to the state.
Because we specialize in cross-country car shipping, our data will primarily provide insight into long-distance moves rather than short-distance relocations.
For more information, check out the full articles from SwiftHaul.
Top States People Are Leaving
California
California, known for its tech hubs and cultural landmarks, is losing residents due to rising housing costs, expensive real estate, and taxes. Many California cities are becoming unaffordable for many, leading to a net migration outwards. The primary reasons people are leaving the Golden State include the high cost of living, rising housing prices, and concerns over taxation.
Major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are some of the most expensive places to live in the country, making homeownership difficult for young families and professionals alike. Rent and property costs are considerably higher than the national average, pushing residents to seek more affordable alternatives in nearby states.
SwiftHaul listed Los Angeles as the city with the highest number of move-outs, with a high cost of living and rent prices noted as major driving factors.
In addition to affordability, lifestyle factors are also impacting migration from California. Wildfires, droughts, and power outages have contributed to quality-of-life concerns, prompting residents to look elsewhere.
States like Texas, Nevada, and Arizona have become popular alternatives for Californians, offering a lower cost of living, fewer natural disaster risks, and expanding job markets. Remote work flexibility offered by many tech companies has also allowed Californians to relocate while still maintaining their employment, further driving outflows.
San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the cities with the steepest outward net migration rates. The city’s technology-driven economy once drew workers from across the country, but with the rise of hybrid work, many tech professionals are choosing to relocate to more affordable regions like Austin, Denver, and Boise.
San Francisco’s challenges with housing shortages, congestion, and cost have made nearby California cities and out-of-state locales more attractive to those who can keep their Bay Area jobs while working remotely.
The trend has also contributed to growth in surrounding cities and states where many former San Franciscans are now settling.
New Jersey
New Jersey has long had one of the highest property tax rates in the country, which remains a major driver for residents considering moves out of state. In 2024, these high taxes, coupled with the elevated cost of living, are pushing many New Jersey residents to consider more budget-friendly states.
Cities in New Jersey are often within commuting distance of New York City, which adds to housing demand and cost, leading more people to consider relocating.
Quality of life and job flexibility are also influencing migration trends. Remote work is making it easier for people to keep their NYC-based jobs while moving to more affordable regions in states like Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Additionally, retirees who would traditionally have stayed in the Garden State are opting for states with warmer climates and lower tax burdens, such as Florida and North Carolina, further contributing to the state’s outflow.
New York
New York, particularly New York City, continues to experience a notable outflow of residents in 2024. High costs of living and competitive housing markets make the city unaffordable for many, especially young families and professionals who are priced out of the rental and housing market.
With skyrocketing rent and a high tax rate, many New Yorkers are relocating to more affordable parts of the country, often within the South or Midwest.
The continued rise of remote work has further allowed New Yorkers to consider relocating without needing to change jobs. This flexibility means that professionals who may have been tied to office spaces in Manhattan are now able to explore areas with lower living costs and more space.
Popular destinations include Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania, where job opportunities continue to grow.
New York City
The New York City metropolitan area has the highest outward net migration from Sherpa’s 2024 moving trends. Traditionally a magnet for movers, Manhattan has seen a notable outflow in recent years, driven largely by high rent prices, intense density, and evolving workplace flexibility.
Many New Yorkers are now moving to cities with lower cost of living and more spacious housing options, such as Miami, Austin, and Nashville. The rise of remote work has enabled people to seek a lifestyle outside the expensive NYC metro area, especially those prioritizing housing affordability and a slower pace.
Massachusetts
In 2024, Massachusetts remains a state with high housing prices and a relatively high cost of living, which is leading many residents to look for more affordable states. The state’s metro areas, like Boston, have particularly high property values, which limit the housing options for middle-income earners.
Housing expenses and overall high taxes have spurred out-migration, particularly among retirees and professionals who find their money goes further in other regions.
Beyond affordability, Massachusetts also sees some migration due to weather conditions. Harsh winters and high heating costs are prompting some residents to consider states with warmer climates and lower utility costs.
Many are moving to the Southeast, particularly Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where the cost of living is lower, and the climate is milder, creating a more attractive living environment for those prioritizing affordability and lifestyle.
Illinois
Illinois, and specifically Chicago, has been experiencing a steady outflow of residents over the last several years, a trend that continues in 2024. High property taxes and an overall high cost of living in Chicago are pushing many residents to seek more affordable living arrangements elsewhere.
Illinois also faces budgetary issues and high debt, leading to concerns over rising taxes and reduced services, making it less attractive to long-term residents and newcomers alike.
The state’s cold winters are also a factor in migration decisions. People seeking warmer climates and lower costs are leaving Illinois for states like Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, where they find affordable housing, fewer tax burdens, and more pleasant year-round weather.
Chicago
Chicago is also experiencing an outflow of residents, with rising property taxes, urban crime rates, and high cost of living frequently cited as primary reasons for moving. Many Chicagoans are heading to nearby Midwestern and Sunbelt cities that offer lower housing costs and a more relaxed lifestyle, including Indianapolis, Nashville, and Charlotte.
These destinations provide similar urban amenities but with a greater sense of safety, space, and affordability. Additionally, with its long and cold winters, the weather in Chicago is pushing people to relocate to warmer states with milder climates.