NC ranks among most moved-to states in 2025. Where are people coming from?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- moveBuddha reports NC sees 161 inbound moves per 100 outbound in 2025.
- Wilmington ranks No.2 nationally and Durham ranks No.6 among destination metros.
- Movers cite career opportunity, affordability and proximity to family as drivers.
North Carolina is home to more than 10 million residents and counting as more people seek to call the Tar Heel State home in 2025, according to a recent moving trends analysis.
It remained a top spot for newcomers, landing at No. 2 on a Top 10 list of the most popular states people are moving to so far this year, per data from moveBuddha.
Two metro NC cities — Wilmington and Durham — were also especially popular among movers, ranking second and sixth in the nation, respectively, data show.
MoveBuddha is a referral website that offers moving cost estimates and other tools for people planning to relocate. The 2025 moving trends analysis looked at 160,000 searches from its moving cost calculator between 2020 and Oct. 1, 2025, comparing rates of arrivals versus exits from states and cities across the U.S.
Here are the moving trends shaping North Carolina.
North Carolina sees surge of move-ins
The moveBuddha report, updated Oct. 6 to reflect Q3 searches, found North Carolina had an overall in-to-out move ratio of 1.61 — or 161 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves. Additionally, it had the highest volume of net searches for inbound moves into the state, data show.
MoveBuddha attributed the rush of moves to the Southeast to affordability, access to nature and career growth.
So which state took the top spot?
“South Carolina continues to hold the top move-to spot of any state, accompanied by surging demand in neighboring Tennessee and North Carolina,” moveBuddha said in its report. “But it’s North Carolina that wins when it comes to pure volume.”
Idaho was the third most popular destination among movers, data show, followed by Alaska and Tennessee to round out the top five.
Where are people moving from?
The Tar Heel State is a popular destination for movers, but where are people coming from?
Transplants often migrate from neighboring states and metro areas, according to U-Haul. A midyear analysis by the truck rental company found that moves to Charlotte mostly originated from South Carolina, Florida and Georgia.
For intrastate moves, the top origin metros, in ranking order, were: Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington, Asheville and Fayetteville, data show.
What are the top cities to move to in 2025?
On the city level, two North Carolina cities ranked high on the list for movers seeking a fresh start, according to moveBuddha data. Here’s how they stacked up against other metros:
- 1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: 241 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 2. Wilmington, North Carolina: 235 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 3. Vancouver, Washington: 197 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 4. Greenville, South Carolina: 185 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 5. Clearwater, Florida: 180 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 6. Durham, North Carolina: 178 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 7. Chattanooga, Tennessee: 170 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 8. Fort Myers, Florida: 165 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 9. Fort Collins, Colorado: 161 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
- 10. Sarasota, Florida: 159 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves.
Wake Forest and the coastal town of Calabash both fell out of the top 10 after landing at No. 2 and No. 5 last quarter, The Charlotte Observer previously reported, citing the analysis.
Why are people moving?
A 2025 survey by Penske Truck Rental looked at factors that drove moves across the country. The top reasons included:
- Living closer to loved ones (28%)
- Better career opportunities (27%)
- Lower cost of living (23%)
- Need for more space (23%)
The online poll sampled 275 U.S. adults who relocated to a new city or town within the last five years, the company said.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM with the headline "NC ranks among most moved-to states in 2025. Where are people coming from?."