U.S. Internal Migration Trends 2025: Where Americans Are Moving and Why
Rising Home Prices, Job Opportunities, and Lifestyle Preferences Shape Interstate Moves.
A new map of interstate migration in 2025 has revealed notable patterns in domestic movement, reflecting deeper economic and social shifts affecting labor markets, housing, political representation, and population growth in several states.
Although overall interstate mobility remains historically low compared to previous decades, the data indicates clear trends in preferred destinations for those choosing to relocate, according to Newsweek.
Data from Atlas Van Lines shows that 2025 continued the so-called “stagnation effect,” with rising home prices and interest rates discouraging many Americans from moving—particularly those tied to low-interest mortgages. However, certain segments of the population, with greater job flexibility or stronger financial positions, continued seeking states offering lower living costs or different lifestyle opportunities.
Top Gaining States
Arkansas, Idaho, and North Carolina emerged as the most attractive states for incoming residents in 2025. Other states seeing high inbound migration included Hawaii, Washington D.C., Tennessee, Washington, Alabama, North Dakota, and New Hampshire.
Significantly, more than half of the newcomers to Arkansas settled in Bentonville, home to Walmart, highlighting the role major employment hubs play in attracting residents, particularly in administrative, tech, and service sectors.
States Losing Residents
Louisiana, West Virginia, and Wyoming saw the highest outbound migration, followed by Delaware, Nebraska, Arizona, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and South Carolina. These patterns reflect local challenges, including limited economic opportunities, high living costs, or slower growth in some areas.
Emerging “Small Destinations”
Reports from MoveBuddha, Allied Van Lines, and Realtor.com show growing interest in “small destinations”—lesser-known towns offering low costs and a quieter lifestyle. Examples include Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and Ocala in Florida.
Population Shifts
Broader analyses by the Taxpayers Federation, based on IRS data, show significant population growth in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, while California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts experienced declines.
Experts suggest that, while the overall numbers remain modest, these movements reflect deeper shifts in American priorities, where lifestyle, family proximity, and cost of living increasingly outweigh traditional factors. With additional data expected in early 2026, it remains to be seen whether these trends mark a long-term shift or a temporary response to short-term economic pressures.
