States like California, Florida and New York have long been top picks for people deciding on their next move. Recently though, some states have had major upticks in residents, due to their top industries, low taxes, warm weather and more.
Based on recently released census information, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) released a detailed look at the nation’s key demographic and migration trends, ranking the top states for population and migration growth.
Whether it’s for job opportunities, tax benefits or a lifestyle change, here’s a breakdown of the top states people are moving to—both from other states and internationally.
Snowbirds to sunbeams
The Sunshine State topped the list in net migration gains over the last year with an influx of 475,339 new residents. Of those, 411,300 of those new residents came from other countries—up 20.2% from 2023; 64,000 people moved to Florida from the other 49 states, down 121,050 from the year before.
Though many think of Florida as a haven for retirees, young people are also moving there—well at least in 2022; that year, the state saw the largest net increase of young high-earners, with nearly 1,800 millennial-headed households earning at least $200,000 annually. This trend did reverse in 2023, with 24.8% of 20 – 29 year old Floridians leaving the state.
Still, with no state income tax, year-round warm weather and plenty of beaches, it’s no wonder that Florida topped NAR’s list of highest net migration in 2024.
Everything’s bigger in _______
You guessed it. The Lone Star State welcomed 404,836 new Texans in 2024; 319,600 came from other countries and 85,300 immigrated from across the U.S., up 21.7% and down 55.4% from the year before, respectively.
This drastic drop in domestic migration is likely due to the unprecedented increase of people moving to Texas throughout the pandemic. According to the Texas Demographic Center, in 2020 and 2021 alone, domestic migration accounted for 55% of Texas’ population growth—up from an average of 31% compared to the previous decade. In 2020, according to the U.S. Census, Texas claimed six of the top 10 counties with the largest population gains in the decade: Harris (Houston), Tarrant (Fort Worth), Bexar (San Antonio-New Braunfels), Dallas, Collin (DFW area) and Travis (Austin) County.
And besides all the regular-schmegular people who adopted Texas as their home state recently, some pretty big names also became “Texpats” in the second-largest state. Bella Hadid moved to Fort Worth. Austin welcomed Emma Stone, Elon Musk, James Marsden, Joe Rogan and Scott Eastwood. Native Texans Matthew McConaughey and Glen Powell moved to Austin as well.
Big tech also shifted gears, with several California companies moving to Texas. Along with Musk, Tesla Motors moved from Palo Alto to Austin. Oracle moved from Redwood City to Austin. Hewlett Packard moved from San Jose to Spring—a suburb of Houston. Charles Schwab moved from San Francisco to Westlake—outside of Fort Worth.
My year of research and relaxation
With a net migration of 152,100 new North Carolinians in 2024—82,300 from other states and 69,800 from outside the country—the Tar Heel State ranked third on the list for the largest net migration.
With its scenic mountains and beaches, city life and top schools, North Carolina has something for everyone—families, young professionals and retirees alike.
The state houses plenty of top companies’ headquarters, like Bank of America, Honeywell, Lowe’s and Truist. It’s home to one the country’s largest airport hubs—Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT)—boasts top schools like Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nicknamed “the Triangle,” the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area in central North Carolina is home to Research Triangle Park, which will soon be home to a new Apple facility, part of a $500 billion investment plan.
Go west, young man!
People are moving back to the Golden State. With 121,500 net migration gains, the state experienced a 336.8% increase from 2023, trailing behind New York and Illinois, who saw respective increases of 1,438.6% and 418.1%.
Although California ranked second for international migration—increasing 23.4% from the previous year to 361,100—the state ranked the lowest for domestic migration, losing 239,600 residents to other states. Still, the state had a 30.4% increase in domestic immigration compared to 2023.
In 2021 and 2022, more than 800,000 fled California each year; in 2018 and 2019, that number was in the 650,000 to 700,000 range.
Quite a few top companies left the state also—Tesla, Oracle, McKesson and Hewlett Packard.
Though the state offers amazing weather, world-famous parks, endless things to do and top schools and employers, there’s no denying that the high cost of living, taxes and the risk of natural disasters are strong enough reasons to get people to make the move.
Where are they moving to? According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the state’s population is primarily moving to nearby states or states without income taxes; low- and middle-income Californians, according to the PPIC, are about equally as likely to go to states with and without income taxes (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming).
More than just iced tea
Similar to Texas, it’s been quite the trend to move to Arizona. A popular option among “the youth,” 22,309 Gen Zs moved to the Grand Canyon State in 2023. Arizona transplants are mostly moving from California, Washington, Texas, Colorado and Oregon.
In 2024, Arizona showed a net migration of 99,400, increasing 13% from the year before. International migration accounted for 64,500, a 22.2% increase from 2023, and domestic migration accounted for 34,900, down 0.9% from 2023.
The nation’s fifth-largest city, Phoenix’s population increased by about 12% over the last decade or so.
Certainly not for everyone, the state experiences an average high of 108°F in July and an average low of 81°F. Luckily, it cools down a bit in September, averaging a high of 100°F and a low of 75°F.
Arizona State University was ranked No. 61 in the nation’s top public schools in 2025.
Hoagies and pies
Ranking sixth on the list of states with the highest net migration rates, the Garden State welcomed 95,100, a 59.1% increase from 2023’s net migration. And though international migration accounted for 130,700, up 21.1% from the previous year, domestic migration decreased the state’s population by 35,600, up 26.2% from 2023.
People leaving New Jersey isn’t exactly new though. For the seventh year in a row, according to United Van Lines’ 48th Annual National Movers Study, more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state, with the state having a 67% outbound migration.
In 2023, New Jersey ranked first in highest property taxes, at an effective tax rate of 2.23%—higher than Illinois, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
Still, there are some perks to living in New Jersey. The state has close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia. It’s also a hot spot for good bagels and pizza.
Frogmore and fishing
The two Carolinas both made the list; the Palmetto State had a net migration of 91,300 in 2024, down 8.1% from 2023; its international migration brought in 23,200, up 20.9% from the previous year, and 68,000 from other U.S. states, a 15% drop from 2023’s domestic migration.
A big draw for homeowners, South Carolina ranked fifth in the country for lowest property taxes, with an effective real estate tax rate of 0.53%. The state’s median home value is $216,200, putting its annual property tax at $1,138. The top three states for low property taxes are Hawaii (0.27%), Alabama (0.39%) and Colorado (0.49%).
South Carolina topped the U-Haul’s 2024 Growth Index, measured by tracking customers using one-way U-Haul equipment. Previously, Texas led the ranking for the past three years.
The state is home to a few popular tourist destinations, like Myrtle Beach and Charleston, giving residents access to both sandy beaches and boardwalk attractions and historic cobblestone streets with beautiful architecture.
And aside from its southern charm, the state has cuisine rooted in southern traditions, featuring a mix of seafood, rice and barbeque.
Sunsets in Savannah
The Peach State ranked eighth in overall net migration, welcoming 88,400 in 2024, a 15.2% drop from 2023. International migration accounted for 63,100—a 21.5% increase from the previous year—and domestic migration accounted for 25,300, down 51.6% from 2023.
In 2022, the states most Georgians moved to were Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Texas and South Carolina.
Ranking fourth in the U.S. for the amount of Fortune 500 headquarters locations, Georgia is home to The Home Depot, UPS, Delta, Coca-Cola and PulteGroup. It’s also home to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), making travel that much more accessible for its residents.
Located in Athens, the University of Georgia was ranked 18th in the country’s top public schools. Go Dawgs!
Widely known as the “Hollywood of the South,” Atlanta has a flourishing film industry. The Atlanta Film Festival is set to run this year from April 24 to May 4.
To the Big Apple—and beyond
The Empire State brought in 86,200 net migration gains, up 1,438.6% from the year before—boasting the fastest net migration growth in the country from 2023 – 2024. The state welcomed 207,200 international migrants, up 21.5% from 2023. Up 31.6% from the previous year, 120,900 did leave New York for other parts of the U.S.
After droves of people fled during the pandemic, New York City is experiencing a population rebound, with a 0.7% increase in population from 2023 – 2024. With companies requiring their employees back in the office, people are moving back into the city and the surrounding areas.
Outside of the city, people seem to be leaving, too.
In Rochester, from April 2020 to July 2023, the population dropped by 1.9%, according to the Rochester Beacon. Buffalo lost 1.3% and Syracuse 2.2% of its population. Statewide, New York’s population dropped 3.1% from 2020 – 2023, compared to a nationwide growth of 1%.
Techies to tip-offs
Another West Coast state and tech hub, Washington ranked 10th in net migration, welcoming 84,300 new Washingtonians—up 69.3% from 2023; 81,600 of these new residents came from outside the country, and 2,700 people across the U.S. made the move to Washington—up 21.6% and 115.5%, respectively.
In the Pacific Northwest, the Evergreen State has plenty to offer for granola folks and tech bros alike. Home to multiple glaciers, volcanoes and top companies like Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Microsoft and Starbucks, Washington state has no shortage of attractive qualities. (Fun fact: Costco’s first ever warehouse opened in Seattle in 1983).
And though Seattle is notoriously known for its rainy weather, it actually gets less rain than Boston, New York, Houston and Miami.
The state is also home to five professional sports teams, all based in Seattle: the MLB’s Seattle Mariners, MLS’s Seattle Sounders, the NWSL’s Seattle Reign, the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the (four-time champion) WNBA’s Seattle Storm.
