Moving Statistics and Trends in Moving

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a slowdown in the number of moves in the United States. Immediately following the pandemic, many individuals moved back to their home states to be closer to family. Now, more people are relocating for cost-saving advantages, which means people in California are more likely to move to southern states for a more affordable lifestyle.

The pandemic has also opened doors for remote work opportunities, giving families and individuals more flexibility. This flexibility has driven people out of expensive states and into more affordable suburbs and family-friendly communities.

In 2024, over 25.87 million individuals relocated, which is slightly less than 8% of the total population. This number is similar to the moving trends we saw in 2023, which is considered a historic low for the United States.

Here's a look at other moving trends and statistics we have our eyes on:

Moving Statistics for the U.S. Population

Population movements from state to state have changed in recent years. Some highlights from the most recent American census are as follows:

• Around 25.87 million Americans moved in 2024.
• In 2024, California had the greatest percentage of individuals moving out of the state.
• Southern states continue to drive population growth.
• Population decrease data shows that California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have the slowest growth rates in the U.S.
• The national average gross rent is $1,743 per month.
• Owner-occupied homes have a median value of $303,400.
• As of 2023, American families may expect a median annual income of $77,540.
• Idaho saw the most inbound movers in 2024.

Moving Trends

The moving statistics about moving are staggering.

• More than 30 million people will move at least once in the next 12 months. That’s an astounding 9% of the U.S. population!
• In that same period, almost 15 million households will move into a new home or apartment.

Considering all these numbers and factors, it is apparent that moving is very common in America.

In addition to overall growth, the population of the United States has seen notable shifts in several regions during the last decade. Some notable changes include:

• The top moving destinations were primarily in the South, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
• As of 2024, roughly 1 in 5 Americans work remotely. The rise of remote work gives individuals more flexibility in where they choose to live.
• The top three factors for moving in 2024: cost of living, proximity to family and work flexibility.

Why Are People Moving: The Top Concerns

While most would think the rise of remote work and affordability were the two primary factors for moves in 2024, the top concerns were actually:

• The desire for a lower cost of living
• Moving closer to family
• Increased work flexibility
• Looking for new job opportunities
• Better schools
• Better safety regarding the pandemic

Most Expensive Months to Move

According to moving statistics and trends, the most expensive months to move are driven by demand. Summer and spring months tend to see more moves, which can increase the overall cost. If you have flexibility, here are the three months to avoid:

Least Expensive Months to Move

If you are flexible with your upcoming move in 2025, consider planning your move during one of the least expensive months to relocate. According to moving industry statistics, here's the top three least expensive months:

Top 5 States Most People Are Leaving

Many have left various states over the last several years for multiple reasons, including politics, the property market and rising living expenses.

In the following table, we can see which states had the greatest departure rates in 2024. Results from our 2024 U.S. Migration Report include the following:

• Most individuals left the state of California in 2024.
• Despite being the most populous state in the U.S., California saw 61% of the moves that occurred in the state be outbound.
• The top five states for departures (IL, CA, PA, NJ and WA) are among the top 20 most densely populated states.
  

Top 5 Most Popular Destinations for New Residents

Growth in population is uneven throughout the states. In fact, according to the moving statistics, you may be astonished to find out where the majority of Americans are relocating to.

The 2024 U.S. Migration Report by North American Van Lines for 2024 uncovered some fascinating moving statistics concerning people's relocation destinations. In 2024, Idaho was the most moved-to state, with inbound moves at 69%. Idaho was not featured on the top inbound state list in previous years. The rest of the states were in the South, where the cost of living and housing is relatively affordable.

• In 2023, South Carolina topped the nation in inbound moves by 66%.

Most Expensive States to Move From

In 2024, a handful of states were significantly more expensive to move from. The reasons vary from high demand, inflation and lack of qualified movers in more rural areas. Here’s how the cost of moving trends vary:

Least Expensive States to Move From

There were also a handful of states significantly cheaper to move from in 2024. Here's how the moving trends vary:

Sources:

• https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration.html
• https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html
• https://www.northamerican.com/migration-map
• https://eig.org/2022-county-population-trends/
• https://www.hireahelper.com/moving-statistics/migration-report/2024/
• https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/01/return-home-migration.html

Conclusion

Changes in moving trends vary every year. Many of these changes are driven by shifts in lifestyle, needs and work. The rise of remote work has given Americans more opportunities and flexibility. People can now pick and choose where they want to live based on the cost of living and their lifestyle rather than the proximity to the office.

As we look towards 2025, we’ll continue to watch the growing moving trends and changes. We hope this guide can help you better understand where people are moving to or from within the United States.