The COVID-19 pandemic triggered major shifts in where Americans choose to live, driven by factors like the rise of remote work, the search for more affordable housing, and better regional economic opportunities. According to recent findings from Placer.ai, many people have been moving to areas with warmer weather, scenic surroundings, and lower living costs.
States in the Mountain West and the Sun Belt saw the biggest population gains. South Carolina topped the list with new residents making up 3.6% of its population as of January 2025. Idaho followed closely at 3.4%, with Nevada, Montana, Florida, South Dakota, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Tennessee also seeing significant growth. Texas welcomed many newcomers as well, but its overall net migration rate was just 0.9% due to its large population base.
In contrast, states like California, New York, and Illinois saw some of the highest levels of population loss. These trends were largely attributed to high housing costs and the continued popularity of remote work.
Since early 2024, these migration trends have slowed, which may be linked to rising mortgage rates and more companies requiring workers to return to the office. Notably, North Dakota has now edged ahead of South Carolina and Idaho in terms of net migration percentage. The state’s appeal includes affordable homes, a healthy job market, and growing tech industry presence near Fargo, including major players like Microsoft and Amazon.
Interestingly, some states that had been losing residents—like Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Ohio, and Oregon—are now seeing small population gains. As housing in popular destinations becomes more expensive, these more affordable states may attract those looking for a better cost of living.
When people move away from California and New York, they tend to stay relatively close or head to Florida. For example, 21% of former New Yorkers moved to New Jersey, 9% to Pennsylvania, and 7% to Connecticut—while nearly 30% relocated to Florida. Californians often move to Nevada (11.5%) and Arizona (9%), with 19% heading to Texas and 8% to Florida.
At the city level, migration patterns are beginning to even out. Cities that saw large population losses have stabilized, and those that gained residents are seeing slower growth. Notably, Miami—despite being in a migration-friendly state—lost 2.6% of its population between 2020 and 2024, and another 1% between 2024 and 2025, likely due to high housing costs.
Among the country’s ten largest metro areas, Phoenix stood out as the only one to continue gaining residents in 2024, reinforcing its status as a popular relocation destination.
Source: GlobeSt.