This article is part of a recurring series highlighting recent talent mobility industry reports. If you would like the WERC editorial team to consider covering a specific industry report, email mobility@talenteverywhere.org.
America’s internal migration patterns are undergoing a quiet but meaningful transformation. According to United Van Lines’ 49th Annual National Movers Study, released in late December 2025, where Americans move—and why—is being reshaped by a complex mix of family priorities, job opportunities, housing costs, and lifestyle preferences. While long-standing trends such as movement toward warmer southern states persist, the data reveals a broader shift toward smaller cities, changing age dynamics, and a more nuanced decision-making process behind interstate relocation.
Why Americans Moved: Family Takes Priority
Being closer to family emerged as the top reason Americans moved across state lines, cited by 29% of respondents. Job-related moves, including company transfers and new employment, followed closely at 26%, while retirement accounted for 14%. The findings suggest that relocation decisions are no longer driven by a single dominant factor, but rather by competing priorities that vary by age, life stage, and economic circumstance.
Experts note that this change reflects lingering effects of the pandemic era, rising housing costs, and a reassessment of work-life balance. Migration is increasingly less about chasing opportunity in large metropolitan centers and more about aligning personal, professional, and financial needs.
Oregon Emerges as the Top Inbound State
Oregon topped the inbound migration rankings for the first time, with 65% of moves into the state. The shift marks a dramatic jump from its eighth-place position in 2024. Job seekers accounted for more than a third of inbound moves to Oregon, particularly drawn by growth in the technology and health care sectors.
The state’s Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area also stood out as the most inbound metro area nationwide, with 85% of moves flowing in. Springfield’s lower cost of living compared with Portland, combined with access to regional employment hubs, made it especially attractive. Despite Oregon’s below-average birth rate, inbound migration is playing a growing role in shaping population growth, particularly in its metro regions.
New Jersey’s Longstanding Outbound Trend—With a Twist
New Jersey once again ranked as the most outbound state, with 62% of moves leaving the state—its eighth consecutive year atop the list. However, the data tells a more nuanced story. While retirees and affordability-driven movers continue to exit, younger adults are still moving in. In fact, 21% of inbound moves to New Jersey were people aged 18 to 34.
This dual pattern reinforces New Jersey’s status as a “launch state,” attracting younger professionals and families seeking career opportunities before later relocating elsewhere. Similar dynamics are visible in other historically outbound states such as New York and California, which continue to draw ambitious workers while losing residents motivated by cost of living, retirement, and lifestyle changes.
Smaller Cities Gain Momentum
One of the most significant findings of the 2025 study is the migration shift away from major metropolitan areas toward smaller cities and towns. Rising housing prices, congestion, and quality-of-life concerns are pushing movers toward more affordable, lower-density locations.
Beyond Oregon, states such as West Virginia (62%), South Carolina (61%), and Delaware posted strong inbound figures. Smaller metro areas, including Wilmington, North Carolina; Dover, Delaware; and Eugene-Springfield emerged as top destinations. These regions offer a blend of affordability, access to services, and a slower pace of life increasingly valued by movers.
States Losing and Gaining Residents
The top inbound states for 2025 were Oregon, West Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, and Nevada. New entrants such as Minnesota, Idaho, and Nevada point to diversification in destination choices beyond traditional southern magnets.
On the outbound side, New Jersey, New York, and California led the list, joined by North Dakota, Colorado, Mississippi, and Massachusetts. Meanwhile, several states landed in the “balanced” category, with roughly equal numbers of inbound and outbound moves. Notably, Illinois achieved balanced status for the first time in more than a decade.
Perhaps most striking is that Texas and Florida—long considered top inbound destinations—are now also classified as balanced states. Rising housing costs and affordability pressures appear to be tempering their appeal.
A Redefined Map of American Mobility
The 2025 National Movers Study paints a picture of an America in transition. Migration is no longer dominated by a single directional flow or economic driver. Instead, Americans are redistributing themselves across the country in ways that reflect changing values, demographic shifts, and financial realities. Smaller cities are gaining ground, traditional magnets are leveling off, and family connections now rival jobs as the leading reason to move.