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In 2025, nearly 15 million Americans decided to relocate, revealing a noticeable trend in preferred destinations. People are increasingly opting for life in the more affordable and warmer regions of the South and Mountain West, moving away from the expensive coastal states.
According to recent statistics from HireAHelper, these areas are becoming more attractive to movers. Their 2026 Migration Report highlights South Carolina as the leading state for net migration per capita last year, with the state gaining 79.7 new residents for every 10,000 current inhabitants.
South Carolina’s allure is evident in its bustling urban centers like Charleston and Myrtle Beach, which are particularly appealing to young adults and tourists. These cities are experiencing a boom in their dining and nightlife options, making them attractive alternatives to the pricier coastal areas of the Northeast and California.
Following South Carolina, Idaho ranked second in net migration with 63.2 new residents per 10,000 people. Delaware came next with a rate of 54.5, followed by Tennessee at 43.6, and Alabama at 36.6. These figures illustrate a growing preference for states that offer a combination of affordability and lifestyle appeal.
Idaho was next at 63.2, followed by Delaware at 54.5, Tennessee at 43.6 and Alabama at 36.6.
The shift points to what many Americans now want most: lower living costs, lower taxes, more space and a better quality of life.
HireAHelper said lower-cost states were far more likely to post gains, especially across the Southeast and Mountain West.
Idaho also continued to pull in newcomers, with HireAHelper saying the state’s mix of affordability, outdoor lifestyle and lighter congestion than neighboring Western states kept demand strong.
Charleston, South Carolina has a lively downtown area where history buffs can see where the civil war began
It was second, with 63.2 newcomers out of every 10,000 locals. According to the Idaho Statesman, wealthy, educated Californians represent a huge chunk of Americans moving to Idaho, with one of the biggest draws being the high housing costs along the coast.
Delaware ranked third, helped by its location near major East Coast job markets and a relatively low-tax setup that includes no sales tax.
Being just a stone’s throw away from Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York City is a huge perk for young professionals who want the hustle and bustle of the city without breaking the bank.
With its warm weather and no state income tax on wages, Tennessee – in fourth place – is another hotspot for new residents. In 2025, the state had 43.6 newcomers for every 10,000 people already living there.
HireAHelper said its appeal now goes beyond just its lack of state income tax, with Nashville in particular benefiting from job growth, cultural pull and rising investor interest.
Elvis fans flock to Graceland in Memphis, TN, to see a bit of music history, while Dollywood in Pigeon Forge was named one of the best theme parks in the US.
And Alabama rounded out the top five, with Huntsville emerging as one of its biggest draws.
‘You can buy a house for the same price as the one you had on the West Coast, but it will be at least double the size and you will get a giant plot of land to go with it,’ U-Haul Vice President for most of Alabama, Doug Weston, said, according to Alabama.com.
Massachusetts saw the most residents leaving, with Boston being a major draw of college students
Not every state saw an influx of new natives. The states with the most American moving out are Kansas, California, Maryland and New York.
Cost-of-living plays a massive role in migration, as New York and California hold two of the most expensive cities in the US (San Fransisco and New York City).
The state with the most residents leaving is Massachusetts with 37.9 out of every 10,000 people ditching the area last year. This could be due to Massachusetts’ high taxes compared to states like Florida or South Carolina.
The trends suggest that as prices increase, Americans are favor smaller, more affordable cities rather than bigger, overcrowded and expensive ones.
Separate PODS data also found the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina area ranked as the top move-in city market for the third straight year in 2025.