Americans Are Moving to These 2 Southeastern U.S. Cities—and Both Have Low Cost of Living, Great Weather, and Stunning Beaches

Travel + Leisure

20-05-2025

Fewer Americans are moving each year, with 12.6 percent relocating in 2022, down from 12.8 percent in 2021 and significantly lower than the 16.8 percent who moved in 2006, according to data by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, almost a fifth of those relocating are making their moves count by heading to a different state. And this year, it appears everyone is heading to the southeast.
Today, Pods Enterprises, a moving and storage company, released its fifth annual Moving Trends Report, showcasing the U.S. cities with the most move-ins and move-outs. It analyzed its internal long-distance moving numbers between January 2024 and March 2025 to figure out the top spots. The No. 1 destination is a tie between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina.
"The Myrtle Beach, Wilmington area tops our list for a record-setting third year, suggesting more people may be embracing the idea of living where others vacation," the report noted. "Living in this southeastern coastal area checks off boxes like affordability, friendliness, and access to nature, though it's not without risk during the Atlantic hurricane season."
In fact, the company found that states in the Southeast continue to be top draws for movers, with Ocala, Florida, coming in second, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina, and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, in third and fourth.
According to the company, the average distance moved by long-distance Pods customers was nearly 1,300 miles, and almost 92 percent of long-distance moves were out-of-state.
'Our fifth annual Moving Trends Report underscores the major trends that have shaped Americans' moving patterns and preferences over the past few years—an assumed desire for warmer climates, lower costs of living, and a greater focus on balance and quality of life,' Rich Schwartz, the senior vice president of corporate operations at Pods, shared. He added that "while the Southeast continues to dominate the top of the list, we are seeing areas across the South, like Dallas-Fort Worth (No. 5), making big moves.'
So, where are people moving from? According to the findings, Southern California leads the pack once again in move-outs.
'The Northeast and West Coast continue to see a steady increase in people moving out, likely due to high costs of living, overcrowding, and spiking insurance premiums, among other factors,' Schwartz added. 'As economic uncertainty persists and the housing market remains tight, we anticipate a continued migration toward more affordable and emerging markets throughout the country.'
And though it didn't make it into the top 10, Pods noted that there is a "notable uptick in moves to the Midwest" compared to the previous year. That makes sense once you factor in that Midwest cities and towns are also often at the top of the best places to live lists.
See the full list of the top spots to move on the Pods Blog now.