Americans are moving to new hotspots as state migration patterns shift

A United Van Lines study found Oregon had the highest inbound share in 2025 at 65 percent, while several smaller metros and Southern states also saw strong inbound flows. The report highlighted family ties and job opportunities as leading reasons for moves and a growing split by age in destination choices.

Interstate migration in the United States is showing new patterns as economic and family considerations influence where people move. A United Van Lines study of household moves reported Oregon recorded the highest share of inbound migration in 2025 at 65 percent. The study said people cited being closer to family and job opportunities as primary reasons for relocating. It also noted a growing split by age in destination choices. Key findings: - Oregon led inbound migration at 65 percent in 2025, up from eighth place in 2024. - The Eugene–Springfield metro area in Oregon recorded about 85 percent of moves there classified as inbound. - After Oregon, the top inbound states included West Virginia (second) and South Carolina (third), followed by Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama and Nevada. - New Jersey has been a long-running outbound state but received 21 percent of its inbound moves from people aged 18–34. - New York and California each recorded 58 percent outbound moves in the study. - Some states, such as Illinois, were described as balanced with nearly equal inbound and outbound movement. Summary: The findings indicate continued movement from northern and Midwestern regions toward parts of the South, West and certain mid-size metropolitan areas, influenced by housing costs, lifestyle preferences and job availability. The pattern includes younger adults favoring smaller, more affordable Midwestern markets while older adults more often move toward southern retirement destinations. Undetermined at this time.