The post-pandemic moving landscape is settling into familiar patterns, with a clear trend emerging: Americans are increasingly setting their sights on the South.
A recent analysis by ConsumerAffairs, tracking migration interest from March 2024 to March 2025, reveals that Southern states are overwhelmingly the top destination for those looking to relocate, driven by a powerful combination of affordability, job opportunities, and quality of life.
Notably, even a popular destination like Florida is experiencing interesting shifts in its migration trends.
The report, based on data from over 122,000 ConsumerAffairs users, highlights North Carolina as the reigning champion for net migration interest for the second consecutive year, attracting 2,208 more prospective residents than it saw expressing interest in leaving.
READ: Florida Man Claims $10.75 Million LOTTO Jackpot
South Carolina follows closely behind, with 83% more people looking to move in than move out. This year also saw Tennessee nudge out Florida for the third spot, experiencing a net gain of 1,277 movers. While Florida remains a highly sought-after state, this shift indicates a potential re-evaluation by some movers.
“Things couldn’t stay like 2022 forever,” remarked Reyna Simoes, a Georgia-based real estate agent with Keller Williams Signature Partners, referring to the peak of pandemic-era relocations. Now, as the dust settles, pre-existing patterns of migration are reasserting themselves.
While the South enjoys a significant net gain, the Midwest also shows a slight positive migration interest. Conversely, the West and Northeast continue to experience net losses, with California and New York topping the list of states people are most eager to leave. California, in particular, recorded a staggering net loss of 7,330 potential residents, with 89% more people wanting to leave than move in.
READ :Florida Anglers: Battle For A $4,500 Kayak Prize In Season 3 Triple Threat Throwdown
Affordability: The Driving Force, Impacting Even Florida
The primary catalyst for this southward shift appears to be economic. Experts point to the “affordability ‘pull'” of Sun Belt states and the “unaffordability ‘push'” from major coastal markets. Housing costs, in particular, are a significant factor. California and New York consistently rank among the most expensive states for housing, with sky-high rents and mortgages driving residents to seek more budget-friendly options.
Even in popular states like Florida, rising costs are playing a role in migration decisions. The report notes that Florida’s net domestic migration fell by more than 49% from 2022 to 2023, with high housing and skyrocketing home insurance rates being key motivators for leaving the Sunshine State.
“Housing and housing costs… are becoming an increasingly bigger part [of people’s decision to move] over the years because there’s increasingly [significant] differences across states in cost of living,” explained William Frey, a demographer and senior fellow at The Brookings Institution.
Many Southern states, by contrast, offer a more moderate cost of living, abundant and affordable housing stock, and a substantial share of new home construction. “People are increasingly drawn to the South because of our unique mix of affordability, job opportunities and livability — a mix that’s sometimes harder to find in other regions,” said Simoes.
READ: Florida Mourns The Loss Of Lu, The Beloved Homosassa Springs Hippopotamus
Beyond affordability, job market expansion in states like North and South Carolina, and the emergence of “meta cities” – new industry hot spots attracting talent flows – are also playing a role. Companies and employees are seeking out more business-friendly environments with lower taxes and fewer regulations in the South.
Beyond the Numbers: Key Insights
The ConsumerAffairs analysis also revealed several key insights:
- Tennessee’s Rise: Overtook Florida for third place, reflecting a slowdown in Florida’s net domestic migration, partly due to soaring housing and home insurance costs.
- Minnesota’s Leap: Experienced the largest year-over-year jump in migration interest, climbing from No. 40 last year to No. 14 in 2025.
- California’s Continued Exodus: Remains the top state for net loss, a long-term trend primarily offset by international immigration.
- Political Overlap: Four of the seven “swing states” from the 2024 presidential election (North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona) are among the top 10 for net migration, suggesting a potential shift in the political landscape. However, politics was cited as a primary motivator by only 3% of movers in a separate report.
These migration trends have significant implications beyond individual choices.
They could reshape the makeup of Congress and the Electoral College in the future. States like North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Idaho are projected to gain congressional seats after the 2030 census due to population growth, while New York and California are expected to lose seats.
As Americans continue to seek new beginnings, the South appears poised to remain a prime destination, offering a compelling blend of economic opportunity and a desirable lifestyle, even as some long-favored states like Florida see their migration patterns evolve.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
