The most moved-to city in 2024 was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to a report by moving and storage company PODS. This coastal destination shared the top spot with Wilmington, North Carolina. The report highlighted a trend of Americans choosing to move to Southern states, particularly in the Appalachian region which includes states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Popular Florida cities and retirement destinations like Boise, Portland, and Phoenix also continue to attract new residents.
The Carolinas’ popularity was credited to factors like low cost of living, access to outdoor activities, and a good quality of life. Other cities that made the top ten list for move-ins in 2024 included Ocala, Florida; Houston, Texas; Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Phoenix, Arizona; Knoxville, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; and Asheville, North Carolina. Despite some cities like Knoxville and Jacksonville dropping in their rankings from the previous year, they remained popular choices for relocation.
On the other hand, the survey also identified the cities with the most move-outs in 2024, which tended to be some of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, South Florida (including Miami), Long Island, Austin, Chicago, San Diego, Stockton-Modesto, and Hudson Valley were among the top ten places with higher numbers of people moving out. The main reason cited for leaving these locations was financial-related, with reasons like rising rent prices, housing struggles, high tax rates, and overcrowding being common issues.
The report noted that these cities were also among the most expensive metro areas in the country, which contributed to the decision of many residents to move out in search of more affordable living situations. This trend of migration from expensive cities to more affordable and desirable locations reflects a broader pattern of Americans seeking a better quality of life and financial stability. As more people continue to relocate to Southern states and other popular destinations, the competition for housing and employment opportunities in these areas is likely to increase in the coming years.
Overall, the report highlighted the shifting patterns of migration within the U.S. and the reasons behind people’s decisions to move to or from certain cities. Factors like cost of living, quality of life, access to outdoor activities, and financial considerations play a significant role in influencing individuals’ choices when it comes to relocating. As cities like Myrtle Beach, Ocala, and Greenville-Spartanburg continue to attract new residents, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the future and what impact they have on the overall population distribution within the country.
