Where are people moving? The states Americans are fleeing and flocking to in 2026
Where are people moving? The states Americans are fleeing and flocking to in 2026
Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORKTue, July 21, 2026 at 3:04 PM UTC
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New migration data show a growing divide between the nation's biggest population winners and losers, with Southern states continuing to attract new residents while several Northeast and West Coast states struggle to hold onto them. The shifts are reshaping housing markets, job growth, tax bases and local economies as families, retirees and remote workers pursue lower costs, warmer weather and new opportunities.
The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina gained more residents through domestic migration than any other states in 2024, while California, New York and Illinois recorded the largest losses. New Jersey also continued to lose more residents to other states than it gained.
The trend is reflected across multiple migration studies. U-Haul's 2025 Growth Index ranked Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee among the nation's top destinations for one-way movers, while California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York landed near the bottom. Meanwhile, the 2025 PODS Moving Trends Report identified North Carolina, Florida and Texas as leading relocation hotspots and listed California, New York and New Jersey among the states residents are leaving most often.
According to PODS, many Americans are increasingly looking beyond expensive major metropolitan areas in favor of communities offering more affordable housing, lower living costs and better access to outdoor amenities.
Which states are people moving to?
Texas remains one of America's biggest migration magnets. Census estimates show the Lone Star State gained 85,267 residents through domestic migration in 2024, ahead of North Carolina (82,288) and South Carolina (68,043).
The moving industry is seeing many of the same trends. U-Haul ranked Texas as its No. 1 growth state in 2025, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina. Together, those states illustrate the continuing pull of the South and Southeast, where lower housing costs, job growth and warmer climates continue attracting newcomers.
The top ten states that people are moving to according to U-Haul (2025):
Texas
Florida
North Carolina
Tennessee
South Carolina
Washington
Arizona
Idaho
Alabama
Georgia
The states at the very bottom of the U-Haul list that saw the least incoming movers were:
50. California
49. Illinois
48. New Jersey
47. New York
46. Massachusettes
45. Maryland
44. Pennsylvania
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The fastest-growing destinations tend to share several traits: lower housing costs, strong job growth, warmer climates and lower tax burdens.
Which states are Americans leaving?
While millions of Americans relocate every year, the largest outbound migration losses continue to occur in some of the nation's most expensive states.
California recorded the largest domestic migration loss in 2024, with a net loss of 239,575 residents. New York lost 120,917 residents, followed by Illinois with 56,235. New Jersey and Massachusetts also remained among the states experiencing significant population outflows.
U-Haul's 2025 data showed another notable shift: Ohio posted the largest year-over-year decline in the company's rankings, falling 29 spots and moving from a net-gain state in 2024 to a net-loss state in 2025. Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Delaware and Nebraska also recorded steep declines.
Why are Americans moving?
Housing affordability remains one of the biggest factors driving relocations. Many households can purchase a larger home or reduce monthly living expenses by moving from high-cost states to lower-cost markets in the South.
Remote and hybrid work arrangements continue to give many workers greater flexibility about where they live. Other movers cite tax savings, proximity to family, retirement and lifestyle preferences as key reasons for relocating.
Are people leaving New Jersey?
Yes, according to the latest Census estimates.
New Jersey recorded a net domestic migration loss of 35,554 residents in 2024, meaning more people moved from New Jersey to another state than moved into New Jersey from elsewhere in the United States.
Many former New Jersey residents relocate to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, destinations that continue to rank among the strongest migration magnets in the country. Those states offer a combination of lower housing costs, less expensive living and, in some cases, lower taxes.
Still, New Jersey remains a major economic hub with access to the New York City and Philadelphia job markets, and international migration continues to support population growth throughout much of the Northeast.
What are the biggest moving trends in 2026?
Several trends are emerging from the latest data:
Americans continue moving to the South and Southeast.
Texas, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina remain among the most popular destinations.
High-cost states including California, New York and New Jersey continue to experience domestic outmigration.
Large metropolitan areas are again attracting newcomers after years of pandemic-era migration toward smaller communities.
Housing affordability remains the biggest relocation driver for many households.
Which states gained and lost the most residents?
Americans have been moving toward opportunity for generations, but the latest migration data suggest affordability is increasingly driving the nation's relocation decisions.
For now, the biggest winners remain Texas, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, while states including California, New York, Illinois and New Jersey continue to lose residents to other parts of the country.
As housing costs, taxes and remote work continue influencing where people choose to live, the migration map of the United States is still being redrawn one moving truck at a time.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where are Americans moving in 2026? Top states revealed
Source: “AOL Breaking”
