U.S. Domestic Migration Trends 2021–2025

Key Trends and Takeaways

Migration Magnets: Since 2021, Idaho and South Carolina led the nation in population growth through domestic migration, each gaining over 3% of their populations. Other notable inflow states include Nevada, Montana, Florida, and North Carolina.

Outflow States: In contrast, California, New York, and Illinois saw the greatest population losses, driven by high living costs and remote work flexibility.

2024 Slowdown: Nationwide migration cooled in 2024. While previously popular states like Georgia, Texas, and Florida saw inflow rates stall, states with outflow trends (like California and New York) saw the rate of departures drop.

Continued Attractiveness: Despite the slowdown, Idaho, South Carolina, and North Dakota continued attracting new residents, with North Carolina standing out among the top 10 most populous states.

Phoenix Exception: The Phoenix metro area was the only major U.S. metro to maintain positive net domestic migration through 2024.

Migration Momentum in the Sun Belt and Mountain States

Warm climates, scenic landscapes, and relative housing affordability drew Americans to the Mountain and Sun Belt regions. Between 2021 and 2025, states like South Carolina (3.6%), Idaho (3.4%), Nevada, and Montana (2.8%) experienced the highest net migration percentages. Meanwhile, large states like Texas showed more modest percentages due to their size, but gained large numbers of new residents.

Conversely, California (-2.2%), New York (-2.1%), and Illinois (-1.9%) suffered the biggest losses, reflecting economic and lifestyle shifts.

A Cooling in 2024: Stabilization Takes Hold

Migration rates across the country slowed notably in 2024. Rising mortgage interest rates, employer return-to-office policies, and rising costs in previously affordable markets curbed relocations. Still, North Dakota (+0.8%), South Carolina (+0.6%), and Idaho (+0.6%) remained strong drawcards.

Significantly, outflow from California, New York, and Illinois slowed considerably, hinting at stabilization. States like Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio even saw slight inflows after years of losses, suggesting possible new trends toward affordability in the Midwest and Northeast.

The “Big Ten” States: A Microcosm of Stabilization

Among the ten most populous U.S. states, North Carolina was the only one to see a substantial net inflow in 2024 (+0.4%). California, New York, and Illinois saw slower outflow, while Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania flipped from negative to slightly positive net migration.

Florida, Georgia, and Texas, previously among the biggest gainers, saw migration levels plateau, reinforcing the trend toward national cooling.

Where Are Californians and New Yorkers Going?

Data from 2020 to 2024 show clear patterns:

New Yorkers moved primarily to New Jersey (21.1%), Pennsylvania (9.2%), and Connecticut (7.1%), with a notable 28.8% relocating to Florida.

Californians favored nearby states — Nevada (11.5%) and Arizona (8.6%) — with significant shares also moving to Texas (19.1%) and Florida (8.0%).

These moves reflect both proximity preferences and the appeal of more affordable living.

Phoenix: A Lone Bright Spot Among Major Metros

Of the ten largest U.S. metro areas, only Phoenix continued to show positive net migration in 2024 (+0.2%). Other metros like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago saw outflows slow, while Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta plateaued. Miami, despite Florida’s state-level gains, saw persistent population loss due to high housing costs.

Phoenix’s ongoing appeal stems partly from income-based migration: Many newcomers arrive from wealthier metros, seeking relatively affordable housing, even in a competitive market.

Looking Ahead

The domestic migration boom of the early 2020s appears to have slowed. Economic factors, rising housing costs in once-affordable states, and evolving workplace expectations have moderated population flows. Still, states like South Carolina, Idaho, and North Dakota, and metros like Phoenix, remain growth hubs — potentially shaping future demographic shifts.