Top Residential Moving Trends in 2025

1. The Southeast Keeps Growing

The Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas remain the top relocation destinations in 2025. Affordable housing, job opportunities, and a better quality of life continue to pull residents from high-cost states like California, New York, and Illinois.

Inbound leaders: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Outbound leaders: California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois

2. Suburbs Outshine Big Cities

Major metros like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York still see net population losses. Meanwhile, mid-size cities such as Raleigh, Charlotte, and Nashville are thriving. Many movers are choosing suburban areas with more space, better schools, and lower living costs — a trend that began during the pandemic and shows no sign of slowing down.

3. Affordability Is King

Housing costs remain the number one reason people move. Mortgage rates are still high, and renters are chasing value in lower-cost markets. States like Tennessee and Texas, with no state income tax and affordable real estate, are clear winners.

4. Remote Work Still Matters

Even with some companies calling employees back to the office, millions of Americans continue to enjoy location flexibility. This freedom allows people to move for lifestyle, family, and climate rather than just for work.

5. Climate Risks Are Changing Habits

Rising insurance premiums and disaster risks in California and Florida are pushing residents inland. Safer, more stable regions — like the Appalachian Mountains and parts of the Midwest — are seeing increased attention as “climate havens.”

Commercial Relocation Trends in 2025

1. Corporate Moves Shift South

The corporate migration boom has cooled slightly since its 2021–2023 peak, but the direction remains the same: business-friendly states are winning.
Texas leads the pack, followed by Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These states continue attracting headquarters and branch offices thanks to lower taxes and an affordable workforce.

2. Office Space Redefined

Hybrid work has permanently reshaped office demand. Some companies are expanding high-quality spaces to entice workers back, while others are downsizing or moving to suburban office parks. Expect continued growth in flexible and shared workspaces in 2026.

3. Industrial and Logistics Growth

E-commerce, reshoring, and supply chain diversification are fueling a warehouse and manufacturing boom across the Midwest and South. The “Battery Belt” — stretching from Michigan to Georgia — is leading this industrial revival.

How 2025 Compares to 2024

• Florida cools off: After years of inbound growth, Florida’s insurance and hurricane challenges have slowed migration.

• The Carolinas and Tennessee rise: Both states top inbound lists in 2025, attracting retirees and remote workers alike.

• Corporate relocations normalize: Fewer headline HQ moves, but steady growth continues in southern markets.

• Office strategies diverge: Some firms expand, others shrink — hybrid flexibility is now standard.

• Mobility remains low: Only about 8% of Americans moved in 2025, one of the lowest rates on record.

Forecast: What to Expect in 2026

Looking ahead, expect 2026 to reinforce the same migration patterns, shaped by affordability, flexibility, and policy.

• Residential: Continued population growth in affordable Sun Belt states, slower recovery for coastal metros.

• Commercial: More corporate expansion in the South; steady demand for industrial and logistics facilities.

• Economy: If mortgage rates fall, pent-up demand could unleash a moving surge.

• Politics & Climate: Tax policies, insurance reform, and extreme weather will further influence migration choices.