The U.S. population grew by 1.8 million people (0.5%) between July 2024 and July 2025, the slowest pace since 2021, according to the Census Bureau. North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee gained the most residents from other states. California lost a net 229,077 people to domestic migration, and New York lost 137,586. Five states shrank overall: California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Migration trends in America shape rent, home prices, school enrollment, and how busy moving companies get each season. They also hint at where your money will stretch further. Use the numbers below to test a move against real data before you commit to a new state.
Migration Trends in America at a Glance
Three sources track where Americans move, and each counts something different. The Census Bureau estimates actual population change. U-Haul counts one-way truck rentals. United Van Lines counts household moves handled by its network.
| Source | What it counts | Top destinations | Biggest losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 | Net domestic migration, July 2024 to July 2025 | North Carolina (+84,064), Texas (+67,299), South Carolina (+66,622), Tennessee (+42,389) | California (−229,077), New York (−137,586), Illinois (−40,017), New Jersey (−37,428) |
| U-Haul Growth Index 2025 | One-way truck arrivals vs. departures | Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina | California saw the most people leave |
| United Van Lines 2025 study | Share of household moves that were inbound | Oregon (64.5%), West Virginia (62.1%), South Carolina (60.8%) | New Jersey (62.3% outbound), New York (57.8%), California (57.8%) |
The Carolinas, Texas, and Tennessee appear near the top of all three lists. That overlap is the strongest signal in the data.
Why Did U.S. Population Growth Slow in 2025?
Immigration fell sharply. Net international migration dropped from 2.7 million in 2024 to 1.3 million in 2025, a 53.8% decline. The Census Bureau projects it could fall to about 321,000 by July 2026. Natural change, meaning births minus deaths, held steady at roughly 519,000.
With fewer arrivals from abroad, domestic moves matter more for which states grow. All four regions still grew, but more slowly. The South slowed from 1.4% to 0.9%. The Northeast slowed the most, from 0.8% to 0.2%. You can also explore where Americans are moving to on Verified Movers.
Which States Are People Moving To?
The South still leads, but the picture is changing. These ten states added the most residents in total between July 2024 and July 2025:
- Texas: +391,243
- Florida: +196,680
- North Carolina: +145,907
- Georgia: +98,540
- South Carolina: +79,958
- Washington: +73,062
- Arizona: +67,394
- Tennessee: +63,785
- Virginia: +60,465
- New Jersey: +41,861
South Carolina grew fastest at 1.5%, followed by Idaho at 1.4% and North Carolina at 1.3%. North Carolina also led all states in net domestic migration with 84,064 new residents from other states. Anyone comparing cross country movers in North Carolina should expect busy summer calendars.
Florida’s slowdown
Florida still ranks second for total growth, yet its domestic migration has cooled. Net arrivals from other states fell from 183,646 in 2023 to 22,517 in 2025, which put Florida 8th. Most of its growth now comes from other sources.
The Midwest turnaround
The Midwest was the only region where every state gained population. It also posted positive net domestic migration of about 16,000, its first gain this decade. Ohio added 11,926 residents from other states.
What Is the #1 State People Are Leaving?
California. It lost a net 229,077 residents to other states in 2025 and was one of five states to shrink overall, down 9,465 people. U-Haul also reported that California saw the most people leave in 2025. If you are weighing a move out, compare long distance moving companies in California early, since outbound demand keeps truck prices high.
New York followed with a net domestic loss of 137,586. Illinois lost 40,017 and New Jersey 37,428. New Jersey is the odd case: it ranked 10th for total growth while also topping United Van Lines’ outbound list at 62.3%. International arrivals offset the residents who left.
Why Moving Company Data and Census Counts Differ
Each data set answers a different question. That explains a few surprises.
- West Virginia ranked second for inbound moves at United Van Lines (62.1%) but still lost 1,255 residents overall. Deaths outnumber births there, so inbound moves cannot fully close the gap.
- Oregon topped United’s inbound list at 64.5%, yet it does not appear among the top ten states for total growth.
- U-Haul data leans toward do-it-yourself moves, while United Van Lines reflects full-service household moves.
Read the sources together rather than relying on one ranking. When two or three point the same way, the trend is real.
Smaller Metros and Retirement Hubs Lead City Growth
City-level data shows where people land inside growing states. U-Haul’s 2025 top growth cities were Ocala, Florida; North Port, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Kissimmee, Florida; and Clermont, Florida. Four of the five are in Florida, and all five are smaller metros popular with retirees and remote workers.
These places pair warm weather with lower prices than big coastal metros. For a city-by-city view with population and housing data, see our list of the most popular large cities to relocate.
How Housing Costs Drive Migration Trends in America
Price gaps explain much of the movement. The table below compares median home values, rents, and incomes from the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey.
| State | Median home value | Median rent | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $759,500 | $2,104 | $100,149 |
| New Jersey | $496,000 | $1,800 | $104,294 |
| New York | $449,800 | $1,634 | $85,820 |
| North Carolina | $333,000 | $1,338 | $73,958 |
| Tennessee | $332,600 | $1,284 | $71,997 |
| Texas | $313,200 | $1,475 | $79,721 |
| South Carolina | $299,500 | $1,272 | $72,350 |
| United States | $360,600 | $1,487 | $81,604 |
A household leaving California for South Carolina gives up about 28% in median income but cuts the median home value by more than 60%. That math still favors the move for many families. Nationally, the median existing-home sales price reached $405,400 in December 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors. Before you pick a destination, run a moving cost estimate so the savings are not eaten by the move itself.
What These Trends Mean if You Are Planning a Move
Migration data helps you time and budget your move. Use it to make three practical decisions.
- Book early on popular routes. Routes into the Carolinas, Texas, and Tennessee fill up fast from May through August.
- Check housing supply, not just prices. Fast-growing metros can see rents rise quickly as newcomers arrive.
- Compare outbound and inbound pricing. Trucks leaving California cost more because demand runs one way.
The Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 population estimates are the most complete public source for state totals. Pair them with a look at the states people are moving out of to see both sides of each route.
Plan Your Move With the Data on Your Side
Migration trends in America point clearly toward the Carolinas, Texas, Tennessee, and smaller Southern metros, while California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey keep losing residents to other states. Slower immigration means these domestic moves now decide which states grow fastest. If one of these routes is in your future, Verified Movers lets you compare licensed interstate moving companies and real customer reviews. Request free quotes and lock in your moving date before the summer rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 state people are leaving?
California. It lost a net 229,077 residents to other states between July 2024 and July 2025, according to the Census Bureau, and its total population fell by 9,465. New York lost 137,586 residents to domestic migration, the second-largest loss.
What are the top 10 states people are relocating to?
By total population growth from July 2024 to July 2025, the top ten were Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Washington, Arizona, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Jersey. By net arrivals from other states, North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee led.
What are the current trends in domestic migration in the US?
People keep moving from high-cost states such as California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey toward the Carolinas, Texas, and Tennessee. Florida’s domestic gains have cooled sharply since 2023, and the Midwest gained residents from other regions for the first time this decade.
What is the best state to move to right now?
It depends on your budget and job, but the data favors South Carolina. It grew 1.5% between July 2024 and July 2025, the fastest of any state, and gained 66,622 residents from other states. Its median home value of $299,500 sits well below the U.S. median of $360,600.