Everyone Wants to Move to This U.S. State — And It’s Not the One You Expect
Whether you’re leaving your hometown for the first time or are in your third (or fourth) new home city, deciding where to move is a big decision with a lot of different factors to consider. While COVID-19 pandemic work-from-home policies aren’t as widespread as they once were, many people are continuing to leave expensive urban hot spots in droves while seeking up-and-coming cities with a better quality of life. And a new report has found an unlikely Southern state is the new hot spot for people looking for a new place to live.
Where People Are Moving to in 2025
According to findings from Atlanta-based moving and storage company MoveBuddha, South Carolina — specifically the coastal city of Myrtle Beach — has emerged as the most popular U.S. state to move to this year. The ratio of people looking to move to South Carolina versus those searching to leave was over double (2.18 to be exact), and the positive trend is only building. MoveBuddha found a 14% change in interest just over the past year, cementing the Palmetto State as the new “It Girl” of the United States.
Looking at 55,000 searches from people moving in and out of states from January 1 to March 10 in its Moving Cost Calculator, MoveBuddha found that South Carolina’s move-in-to-out ratio was 26% higher than the next state (Tennessee, which has a 1.73 ratio this year). Additionally, the data found that Myrtle Beach, which is known for its sandy beaches, nature offers, and family-friendly entertainment, led the pack out of U.S. cities with a 2.55 move-in-to-out ratio. South Carolina cities Greenville and Charleston also ranked high on the list at No. 3 and No. 8, with a ratio of 2.29 and 1.68, respectively.
Another U.S. State People Are Interested in
While South Carolina might take the top in-to-out ratio spot, MoveBuddha noted that its neighbor North Carolina actually has the most in-searches for 2025 so far. However, its out-searches put it third on the overall list with a 1.61 ratio.
In general, MoveBuddha noted the moving trends of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to be holding strong five years later, with people seeking out midsize cities that have affordable housing options, booming job opportunities, an inexpensive cost of living, and lots of nature. Despite MoveBuddha’s findings covering searches from only the first three months of the year, South Carolina, and specifically Myrtle Beach, fits the bill in all areas, cementing it as a front-runner in 2025’s most desirable places to live.
This article originally published on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Everyone Wants to Move to This U.S. State — And It’s Not the One You Expect