Did you know that around 35% of Americans say they plan to move in 2025? Based on previous years, chances are only 8-9% will actually relocate this year. If you’re planning to move, we recommend learning about moving trends in 2025 and the current state of the relocation landscape in our country. Armed with knowledge, you won’t have a hard time deciding which state to head to on your upcoming journey.
What can you expect if you plan to relocate this year? Let's break down all the trends
Which Factors Have Shaped Moving Trends in 2025?
Moving industry trends are constantly changing. Year after year, we’ve been witnessing how the economy, housing market, and shifts in lifestyle preferences have been shaping the relocation trends in the US.
While it’s true that relocations have been at a historic low in the past several years, there’s still a huge number of Americans who decide to pack up their homes. The largest groups who typically relocate to a new state are Millennials and Gen Z.
When asked about reasons for relocating, younger generations usually cite lower costs of living, housing affordability, and finding jobs as the main motivators to uproot their lives and settle in new homes elsewhere. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors to see what has been happening recently in the US.
Inflation and the Constantly Increasing Cost of Living
Inflation is evident in every aspect of life, and it’s no wonder that relocation trends have been drastically impacted by it. About 87% of Americans consider a lower cost of living as the primary motivation to relocate to another state. This is particularly evident when you look at the correlation between less expensive states and those with an influx of new residents.
*Everyday expenses have increased by 3.5% in the last year
Varying Housing Prices Across Different States
Although there’s a decrease in housing prices in almost half the states, homeownership is still just a dream for many. What complicates it further are the extremely high mortgage rates we’ve never seen before. Still, the housing prices vary a lot based on the state you’re in. A good deal for a new house is certainly worth the stress of relocating, even for those who have a fear of moving.
Companies Pushing for Office Returns After the Pandemic
Younger generations would argue that remote work has been one of the best things to come out of this century so far. Even though the pandemic is over, working from home has remained a popular concept, allowing workers location flexibility. In other words, states with good tax policies, quality work-life balance, and lower costs of living have seen a rise in the number of remote workers.
Still, corporations have slowly started to push for returns to offices, especially in big cities. This has somewhat affected relocation patterns. Hybrid work arrangements have made living in the suburbs highly popular, and even rural areas have seen a rise in the number of residents. It seems like everybody is seeking a peaceful, quiet environment – the hustle and bustle of the big city is out for sure.
Inflation and high living costs have influenced relocation patterns the most
Moving Trends in the US – What Can We Expect From the Relocation Industry in 2025?
Reasons that drive Americans to move are not the only aspect we must consider when decoding current trends in the relocation industry. There’s a lot to be said about the changes in the way people want to move. Obviously, cross-country moving companies are still a must when you’re relocating over long distances, but customers nowadays won’t be satisfied with just any kind of long-distance moving service. There are specifics that must be met – a couple of long-distance movers and a relocation truck simply aren’t going to cut it in 2025.
There’s a Growing Need for Personalized Cross-Country Moving Services
Relocating household belongings isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of service, and more people are starting to recognize that. For those who hire movers, a personalized approach to moving and packing services is becoming crucial. Everyone wants a long-distance moving company that can curate efficient solutions based on the circumstances of the move.
Companies that have been pillars of the relocation industry, like our Cross Country Moving Company, have recognized this a while ago and incorporated necessary changes to adapt to customers’ needs. Flexible scheduling is among the popular demands, as there seems to be a rise in last-minute relocations. A few other on-demand services are commonly requested, including storage solutions and auto transport, which can be vital for a successful, stress-free relocation.
We’ve Seen an Increased Demand for Virtual Estimates
Virtual estimates became a convenient way of setting a quote during the pandemic when movers weren’t able to visit every house to determine the household inventory list. Although this type of estimate isn’t done out of necessity nowadays, people have grown fond of it. It allows us to streamline the booking process. Virtual estimates should be offered by every reputable relocation company that cares about its customers’ convenience.
Everybody Wants to See More Sustainable Moving Practices
Environmental consciousness is seeping into every industry, and relocations are no exception. Even when burdened with anxiety about moving cross-country, people care about being sustainable. This mostly reflects on packing materials – the demand for recyclable and used materials is on the rise.
Decluttering before the move and selling or donating unwanted items is another popular eco-friendly practice before relocating to a new city or state. Of course, relocation companies are also adapting their services to incorporate green practices and reduce their carbon footprints.
Relocation services have changed a lot in the past few years
What States Are Americans Moving to in 2025?
Now you know the basics, but you’re likely still wondering which states will be gaining the most new residents in 2025. When we consider everything mentioned above and combine it with the current statistics about each state’s cost of living, tax system, and job opportunities, it’s relatively easy to predict where Americans will move this year. Keep in mind that these projections are also based on the statistics from previous years, as they are good indicators of relocation trends.
Florida – A Favorite Among Both the Younger and Older Generations
Florida has been a top destination for a few years now. In addition to beautiful weather, relocating to Florida will bring you better economic security, job opportunities in various industries, and lower housing costs compared to many other states. We can’t overlook the fact that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, which offers great financial benefits to many.
Not only is this part of the US popular with young professionals, but it’s also among the top destinations for retirees. Not surprisingly, relocating to Miami takes the first spot. Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are runner-ups when it comes to the number of new residents.
It’s worth mentioning that Florida is still recovering from the natural disasters of 2024, so the state’s relocation statistics might not be as good as those from 2023. Still, this is expected to be a temporary setback – long-term prospects for Florida are looking good.
Texas – Strong Economy and Great Choice for Families
Moving to Texas comes with exceptional benefits for families with children. Tight-knit communities, quality healthcare, and affordable housing are just some of the reasons why Americans are coming here in huge numbers.
The economy is strong here, and industries like tech, finance, and healthcare offer excellent opportunities. That’s one of the main reasons why Texas is a popular choice for those leaving California and New York. If you were to ask about the most popular cities, we’d recommend relocating to Austin, Houston, or Dallas.
Tennessee – Beautiful Scenery Combined With Economic Security
Another great choice for Americans leaving states with high taxes, Tennessee has been blooming in recent years. Its economy and job opportunities won’t let you down, and the added bonus will be living in a lovely, charming state that has a lot to offer in terms of art and culture.
Tennessee also doesn’t lack natural beauty, with the Cumberland Mountains and the Smoky Mountains appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. As expected, Nashville is the most popular city, but Chattanooga and Knoxville are great places to relocate to as well.
North Carolina – Blooming Economy Without Increased Cost of Living
Did you know that the capital of North Carolina, Charlotte, is the second-largest banking center in the country (after New York City)? Yet, banking is just one of several expanding sectors in this state. Tech and healthcare are doing particularly well, with increases in salaries that don’t come with an increase in the cost of living. This is one of the best things about North Carolina. Apart from Charlotte, great places to live include Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill – forming the so-called Research Triangle, an educational hub.
South Carolina – Affordable Real Estate and High Quality of Life
Similar to North Carolina, South Carolina can also pride itself on its economy in recent years. Affordable housing attracts many, and professionals are coming here with the goal of building careers in tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace. Charleston and Greenville are South Carolina’s most popular hubs. The reasonable cost of living, combined with the beautiful nature and excellent amenities, promises a great quality of life in this state.
Texas, as well as Florida, are top choices for Americans relocating in 2025
Which States Are Americans Leaving in 2025?
We’ve heard where Americans are headed this year, but what about the states that residents are leaving in increased numbers? As you can probably guess, it’s the states with a high cost of living and high taxes. Here are the ones that don’t win any popularity votes when it comes to moving trends:
- California – Extremely high housing costs and tax burdens are the main reasons residents are leaving The Golden State.
- New York – The appeal of NYC is diminishing due to the high cost of living.
- New Jersey – With a similar problem to New York, the state is losing residents due to high living expenses.
Illinois – High property taxes and crime rates are driving residents out of this state.
While California is popular, it's also one of the states people are leaving the most
Entrust Your Move to Cross Country Moving Company
Once you decide where you want to set roots and enjoy life in the following years, you will need to find a suitable mover to help you pull off such a complex task. Cross Country Moving Company can be your reliable partner on this journey.
We’ve been one of the leading providers of quality relocation services for many years, and we hope to share our expertise with you on your upcoming move. Contact us today to get a free quote for our moving services, and relax knowing that your belongings will be in the safe hands of experienced cross-country movers.
