Where people are moving most in 2025 — and where they're leaving
Myrtle Beach/Wilmington ranks as the top move-in destination for the third straight year.
California and Florida dominate the list of most moved-from cities in 2025.
North Carolina has five cities in the top 20 for move-ins, more than any other state.
After five years of shifting housing markets, remote work reshuffles, and climate-driven decisions, Americans continue to relocate in large numbers—but where they're heading is changing.
According to the 2025 PODS Moving Trends Report, the Southeast has emerged as the dominant draw, while megacities and coastal hubs are seeing a steady exodus.
The data, drawn from PODS' long-distance move records between January 2024 and March 2025, reveals both long-term migration patterns and newer surprises—including a continued rise in Southern Appalachian towns and a steep decline in Florida and California's appeal.
By the numbers
The Carolinas and Tennessee top the list of move-in destinations, thanks to their affordability, access to nature, and smaller-city charm. The Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC, region ranked No. 1 for the third consecutive year.
Here are the top five cities for move-ins:
Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC
Ocala, FL
Raleigh, NC
Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
Also notable is Raleigh's rise from 20th place in 2023 to 3rd in 2025, and Dallas-Fort Worth's return to the list after falling off in 2024.
North Carolina dominates with five cities in the top 20, while Tennessee follows closely behind with four—including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Johnson City.
The other side
California remains the state with the most outbound moves, with seven cities in the top 20 for move-outs. Los Angeles tops the list for the fourth year running, followed by the San Francisco area and South Florida.
The top five move-out cities are:
Los Angeles, CA
Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area)
South Florida (Miami metro)
Long Island, NY
San Diego, CA
Tampa Bay, FL, joins the move-out list for the first time after previously ranking as a move-in hotspot—an indication that Florida's population boom may be reversing due to soaring costs and natural disaster risks.
Big picture view
A mix of affordability, climate resilience, job growth, and lifestyle shifts continues to shape where Americans are headed. The PODS report notes:
Cost of living: Median home prices in North Carolina ($331,800), South Carolina ($298,000), and Tennessee ($319,300) remain well below the national average of $361,300.
Rent prices: All three states average roughly $200/month less than the national rental average of $1,750.
Taxes: Tennessee and Florida both offer no state income tax, appealing to retirees and budget-conscious movers.
Climate risk: Natural disasters in California and Florida—especially wildfires and hurricanes—have driven many residents to seek more stable regions.
What's next
California's high housing costs, extreme weather events, and taxes continue to push residents out. Seven California cities appear on the move-out list, with median mortgage payments nearing $5,500/month and the cost of living 50% above the U.S. average.
Florida, once a top destination, has lost momentum. The state's average home insurance premium is expected to reach $15,460 by the end of 2025, while home prices have jumped 60% since 2020. Tampa Bay's debut on the move-out list suggests that both newcomers and long-time residents are reconsidering their options.
What they're saying
PODS noted that smaller cities with outdoor access and lower costs of living have grown increasingly popular with young professionals, retirees, and families alike.
"Despite ever-changing economic and lifestyle factors, we're beginning to identify ongoing moving trends," the company noted in its 2025 Moving Trends Report. PODS emphasized that familiar patterns are returning after years of disruption, with smaller, affordable cities in the Southeast and Sun Belt drawing the most interest from movers nationwide.
Why you should care
Whether you're planning a move or just watching how America is reshaping itself, the 2025 data offers clear signals: the Carolinas and Tennessee are on the rise, while places like California and South Florida are losing their shine.
If inflation, job flexibility, and quality of life remain top concerns, these trends could define relocation patterns for years to come.
The Source
This article is based on the 2025 PODS Moving Trends Report, which analyzes net long-distance moves using customer data from January 2024 to March 2025. Additional housing and rental market data was sourced from Zillow and RentCafe, while broader economic context was drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Public Policy Institute of California.
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3 hours ago
Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs
TORONTO -- U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% last week, but a key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties. Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs. Here's a look at Trump's tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions: Canada's central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are USMCA compliant. The Royal Bank estimated that almost 90% of Canadian exports appear to have accessed the U.S. market duty free in April. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the commitment of the United States to the core of USMCA, reaffirmed again last week, means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest, and over 85% of Canada-U.S. trade continues to be tariff free. 'Canada is better off than any of the trading partners right now because the Americans appear to be relying as a default on USMCA,' said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association. 'That gives them the tough tariff headline but also allows them the access to the stuff they need from us. Because of that we're in a relative better position.' Canadian and Mexican companies can claim preferential treatment under the USMCA based on where the products are made. 'The headline news is 35% tariffs but it's somewhat targeted,' said John Manley, Canada's former industry minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister and deputy prime minister. Manley said Canada is doing okay despite the economic uncertainty. 'There is a lot of resilience I'd say. The Canadian economy has done relatively well, better than most of us expected, and remember that there is no tariffs on any of our energy exports," he said. Trump said last week he would enter into a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico, also one of America's largest trading partners. The current 25% tariff rates are staying in place, down from the 30% he had threatened earlier. But that 25% only applies to the fraction of Mexico's trade with the U.S. that isn't covered by the USMCA. Shortly after speaking with Trump on Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that within the 'new commercial world order,' Mexico was still the best positioned nation because of the free trade agreement. 'What's within (USMCA) has no tariff, with the exception of what we already know: autos, steel and aluminum; and what is outside the treaty has 25%,' Sheinbaum said. But Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that under the USMCA no tariffs were paid on more than 84% of Mexico's trade with the United States. Most imports from Canada and Mexico are still protected by the USMCA, but the deal is up for review next year. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month: 'I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA." Preserving the free trade pact will be critical for Canada and Mexico. 'It would be an incredible disruption to lose it especially if you lost it to the levels of tariffs Trump is imposing, 30%, 25% or even 20%. You can absorb a single digit tariff level across the board but you can't adjust that kind of increase,' Manley said. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S. while more than 80% of Mexico's exports go there. Manley said that depending on how the trade war plays out the risk to the USMCA is very high. 'Uncertainty in business is the enemy of decision making," he said. Carney said in a series of recent agreements with other countries that America is, in effect, charging for access to its economy. Manley said the investment thesis for Canada is pretty straightforward as Canada is rich in natural resources, has a skilled labor force, is open to immigration and has unfettered access to the U.S. market, the largest economy in the world. 'If that latter point is no longer the case, we've still got all the others, but we've got to really redevelop the investment thesis for attracting investment to Canada,' Manley said. Trump has some sector specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports, though there is a carve-out for Canadian and Mexican made cars. 'Despite our advantages, certain major Canadian industries are being severely impacted by U.S. trade actions. These strategic sectors include autos, steel, aluminum, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and of course, softwood lumber,' Carney said Tuesday. 'It is clear we cannot count or fully rely on what has been our most valued trading relationship for our prosperity.'
The Hill
4 hours ago
- The Hill
Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs
TORONTO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% last week, but a key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties. Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs. Here's a look at Trump's tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions: Most Canadian exports reaching the U.S duty free Canada's central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are USMCA compliant. The Royal Bank estimated that almost 90% of Canadian exports appear to have accessed the U.S. market duty free in April. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the commitment of the United States to the core of USMCA, reaffirmed again last week, means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest, and over 85% of Canada-U.S. trade continues to be tariff free. 'Canada is better off than any of the trading partners right now because the Americans appear to be relying as a default on USMCA,' said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association. 'That gives them the tough tariff headline but also allows them the access to the stuff they need from us. Because of that we're in a relative better position.' Canadian and Mexican companies can claim preferential treatment under the USMCA based on where the products are made. 'The headline news is 35% tariffs but it's somewhat targeted,' said John Manley, Canada's former industry minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister and deputy prime minister. Manley said Canada is doing okay despite the economic uncertainty. 'There is a lot of resilience I'd say. The Canadian economy has done relatively well, better than most of us expected, and remember that there is no tariffs on any of our energy exports,' he said. 25% tariffs on Mexican goods target a small slice of trade Trump said last week he would enter into a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico, also one of America's largest trading partners. The current 25% tariff rates are staying in place, down from the 30% he had threatened earlier. But that 25% only applies to the fraction of Mexico's trade with the U.S. that isn't covered by the USMCA. Shortly after speaking with Trump on Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that within the 'new commercial world order,' Mexico was still the best positioned nation because of the free trade agreement. 'What's within (USMCA) has no tariff, with the exception of what we already know: autos, steel and aluminum; and what is outside the treaty has 25%,' Sheinbaum said. But Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that under the USMCA no tariffs were paid on more than 84% of Mexico's trade with the United States. Most imports from Canada and Mexico are still protected by the USMCA, but the deal is up for review next year. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month: 'I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA.' Preserving the free trade pact will be critical for Canada and Mexico. 'It would be an incredible disruption to lose it especially if you lost it to the levels of tariffs Trump is imposing, 30%, 25% or even 20%. You can absorb a single digit tariff level across the board but you can't adjust that kind of increase,' Manley said. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S. while more than 80% of Mexico's exports go there. Manley said that depending on how the trade war plays out the risk to the USMCA is very high. 'Uncertainty in business is the enemy of decision making,' he said. Charging for access Carney said in a series of recent agreements with other countries that America is, in effect, charging for access to its economy. Manley said the investment thesis for Canada is pretty straightforward as Canada is rich in natural resources, has a skilled labor force, is open to immigration and has unfettered access to the U.S. market, the largest economy in the world. 'If that latter point is no longer the case, we've still got all the others, but we've got to really redevelop the investment thesis for attracting investment to Canada,' Manley said. Trump has some sector specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports, though there is a carve-out for Canadian and Mexican made cars. 'Despite our advantages, certain major Canadian industries are being severely impacted by U.S. trade actions. These strategic sectors include autos, steel, aluminum, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and of course, softwood lumber,' Carney said Tuesday. 'It is clear we cannot count or fully rely on what has been our most valued trading relationship for our prosperity.'
