Where Did Americans Move in 2025?

Americans didn't move as much as they did in recent years, but some states still saw a sharp increase in new residents
Jan. 8, 2026
2 min read

Americans may be moving around a lot less than they did in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic housing boom, but some states are still seeing a high influx of new residents. According to United Van Lines’ Annual National Movers Study, Americans in 2025 are still moving around, but migration patterns vary drastically by region. Most domestic migration is fueled by a desire to be close to friends and family, according to 29% of those surveyed, followed by employment opportunities, as cited by 26% of survey respondents.

Oregon saw the largest influx of new residents in 2025

At 65%, Oregon saw the highest share of inbound movers in 2025. Oregon led the way with the most job-seeking migrants, with 36% of new Oregon residents citing job opportunities as the main reason for their move. Due to its job opportunities and relative affordability compared with larger Oregon markets, the Eugene-Springfield, Ore., metro saw the most inbound movers.

Other states that saw an influx of residents include West Virginia and South Carolina. In each state, the recorded share of new residents in 2025 reached 62% and 61%, respectively.  

Meanwhile, Americans moved out of New Jersey more than any other state

For the eighth consecutive year, residents moved out of New Jersey at a higher rate than any other state. With the share of outbound movers reaching 62% in 2025, New Jersey has ranked among the top 10 states for outbound moves for more than 15 years.

Other states with high shares of outbound movers include New York and California, both at 58%.

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