October Newsletter—Who is Moving Where + How Does This Affect You?
💡IDEA: When People Move, Opportunity Follows
According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, only about 8.3% of U.S. households moved last year — the lowest relocation rate since the 1970s.
People aren’t moving as often, but when they do, they’re moving with purpose — for affordability, quality of life, or long-term financial strategy. And that’s reshaping where opportunity lives, both for homeowners and investors.
Whether you’re staying put or thinking about your next move, these shifts in population are worth paying attention to.
Where People Are Headed in 2025
The latest data shows the strongest inbound migration happening in the Southeast and parts of the Mountain West — regions that continue to offer affordability, job growth, and lifestyle appeal.
South Carolina leads the pack with more than twice as many people moving in as moving out.
North Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Delaware, and certain counties in Oregon are also seeing some inbound interest. On a whole, Oregon is currently an outbound state in terms of net migration (more people leaving than coming in).
New contenders like Minnesota and New Mexico are quietly climbing as affordable alternatives with strong quality-of-life appeal.
(Sources: MoveBuddha 2025 Migration Trends, PODS 2025 Moving Report, ConsumerAffairs Migration Tracker)
Meanwhile, California, New York, and Illinois continue to see the largest outbound migration — largely due to higher living costs, tighter regulation, and affordability challenges.
What This Means for Homeowners and Investors
Migration creates movement in the market — literally and financially.
If you’re in a state seeing more people leave, that often means:
More inventory hitting the market
Less competition for buyers
Room to negotiate on terms and price
That can open doors for move-up buyers, downsizers, or investors looking for properties that might have been out of reach a year ago.
If you’re in one of the high-growth states, the opportunity looks different — tight inventory, rising demand, and stronger appreciation potential. Either way, the takeaway is the same: the market is always shifting, and there’s always an opportunity hidden in the movement.
Markets to Watch in 2025
Based on population trends, affordability, and economic strength, here are a few markets that stand out right now:
Charlotte, NC — a steady leader for job growth and population gains
Nashville, TN — growing tech and healthcare sectors drive housing demand
Kansas City, MO — strong rental yields and investor activity
Indianapolis, IN — cash-flow friendly with stable rent growth
Greenville, SC — small-city charm plus South Carolina’s inbound boom
These markets combine healthy fundamentals with growing population — a sweet spot for investors and long-term homeowners alike.
The Bottom Line
Even with fewer moves overall, migration patterns still shape opportunity. When people relocate, they leave behind inventory, open up markets, and redefine where growth is happening next.
If you’ve been thinking about making a move, expanding your portfolio, or simply exploring what your next chapter might look like, now’s a great time to run the numbers and see what’s possible.
I’m happy to help you make sense of what these trends mean locally — whether that’s finding opportunity in our own backyard or identifying up-and-coming markets elsewhere.
