According to a recent moving trends report, Americans continue to head south, while the coastal exodus persists.
PODS Enterprises, an industry leader that revolutionized the moving and storage category through its portable container service offerings, released a Moving Trends Pulse Check Report, analyzing long-distance moving activity. The pulse check is a follow-up to its annual Moving Trends Report released in May, and points to consistent moving patterns seen in recent years: Southeastern and Sun Belt cities remain the most popular destinations, while large coastal metros continue to see significant move-outs.
Southeastern states remain top destinations. Florida and the Carolinas once again dominate the top of the inbound list, with Sarasota, FL, Ocala, FL, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina / Wilmington, North Carolina, claiming the top three spots. Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, also make strong appearances in the top 10, reflecting continued demand for affordable housing, warmer climates, and a slower pace of life.
Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Orlando highlight the appeal of other Sun Belt metros, where growing job markets and relatively affordable living costs are attracting newcomers.
Top 10 cities with the highest number of move-ins this summer:
- Sarasota, FL
- Ocala, FL
- Myrtle Beach, SC / Wilmington, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Phoenix, AZ
- Charlotte, NC
- Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Orlando, FL
- Knoxville, TN
On the outbound side, Los Angeles, California once again leads the nation in move-outs, followed by Boston, Long Island, and Washington, D.C. Rising housing costs, taxes, and insurance premiums, combined with congestion and affordability challenges, are pushing residents toward more affordable inland and southern cities. Hudson Valley, NY, Chicago, and Northern California are also featured prominently among the top move-out markets, consistent with longer-term migration shifts.
Top 10 cities with the highest number of move-outs this summer:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Boston, MA
- Long Island, NY (serving parts of NYC)
- Washington, D.C.
- Hudson Valley, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Northern California (San Francisco area)
- Central Jersey, NJ
- Seattle, WA
- South Florida (Miami area)
“Our Moving Trends data continues to show a clear preference for Southeastern and Sun Belt regions,” said Rich Schwartz, SVP of Corporate Operations at PODS. “Affordability, lifestyle balance, and climate are likely driving forces, and we see secondary markets rising as attractive alternatives to what are commonly perceived as crowded and expensive major metros.”
“The Northeast and West Coast continue to see out-migration at high levels, with people likely relocating in search of lower living costs and a higher quality of life,” added Schwartz. “We expect this east-to-south migration trend to continue as housing affordability remains a pressing factor.”
The 2025 moving trends pulse check underscores that moving preferences are not shifting dramatically year-over-year but instead reinforcing existing patterns. Families, retirees, and professionals alike continue to gravitate toward the Southeast and secondary markets, while larger and more expensive coastal metros experience steady population outflow.
