Where are people moving? The states Americans are fleeing and flocking to in 2026

Americans are moving in familiar patterns in 2026, with the South and Southeast drawing more people. New census estimates show Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina gained the most residents through domestic migration in 2024. California, New York, and Illinois recorded the largest losses, and New Jersey also kept losing residents to other states. U-Haul's 2025 growth index put Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee near the top for one-way movers. PODS' 2025 Moving Trends Report also listed North Carolina, Florida, and Texas as leading relocation hotspots. The biggest drivers are housing affordability, lower living costs, warmer weather, job growth, and remote work flexibility. New Jersey recorded a net domestic migration loss of 35,154 residents in 2024. Many former New Jersey residents moved to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. As housing costs, taxes, and remote work shape choices, the nation's migration map keeps being redrawn one moving truck at a time.