Which U.S. States are the Most Popular for Moving?

According to NAR, The U.S. Census Bureau recently released the 2024 population estimates, which offer a detailed look at the nation's demographic trends. These estimates highlight key metrics such as population growth, natural change (births minus deaths), domestic migration, international migration, and net migration.

Last year, the U.S. population grew at its highest rate since 2001, largely driven by a surge in international migration, which accounted for 84% of the nation’s total population growth. These trends reveal fascinating shifts across states, with some states outperforming others in attracting residents.

NAR analyzed the data to identify the top 15 states leading in these metrics. The interactive visualization below showcases the top-performing states in each category related to "overall net migration".

States seem to be playing a high-stakes game of 'migration musical chairs,' and some clear winners have emerged. Florida takes the top spot—no surprise—as sun-seekers trade snow shovels for flip-flops and sunscreen. Texas isn't far behind, boldly waving the "We're the new California!" banner, snagging big tech names like Tesla, Oracle, and Hewlett Packard along the way. North Carolina isn't just for barbeque enthusiasts anymore, because its prestigious universities and corporate giants are luring young workers.

Even California, after years of farewells, is now enjoying a 'return to sender' moment, attracting newcomers again despite past outflows. New Jersey, often caught in the shadow of its bustling neighbors, still draws a crowd thanks to its prime pizza and unbeatable bagels—though it's no secret that taxes push some out the door faster than a New York minute. The Carolinas charm residents with southern hospitality and wallet-friendly taxes, while Georgia offers a little Hollywood glam mixed with Southern comfort. New York is staging its comeback, welcoming folks back to city life as office lights flicker on again post-pandemic. Finally, Washington appeals equally to outdoor enthusiasts and techies, a state where you can code in the morning and hike forests in the afternoon.

When you revisit the data and only consider “domestic net migration” as opposed to “net migration”, the chart now looks like this:

Then for those programs bringing in international talent, consider these stats on the states related to "international net migration" in 2024:

All this migration buzz spells great news for companies recruiting in these states. With talent flocking in droves, employers face fewer hurdles convincing job seekers to pack their bags. After all, who wouldn't want to follow the sunshine, lower taxes, scenic beauty, and thriving corporate cultures? The biggest things to grapple with (per our 2025 Insights and Trends Survey) are the ongoing high costs of housing, overall cost of living, VUCA, and corporate relocation budgets!