Americans continue to favor southern cities, while major metropolitan areas in California and the Northeast experience significant population declines, according to PODS’ latest annual Moving Trends Report.
The report, analyzing customer move data from January 2024 through March 2025, found that California, with seven cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked among the top 20 areas with the highest number of move-outs.
High living costs, housing affordability issues, and increased natural disaster risks are cited as primary factors driving residents away.
When it came to cities, people were leaving the most, Los Angeles took the top spot for the second year in a row.
20 Cities With the Highest Number of Move-Outs Ranked
- Los Angeles, CA (1st in 2024)
- Northern California (San Francisco area) (2nd in 2024)
- South Florida (Miami area) (3rd in 2024)
- Long Island, NY (Serving parts of NYC) (4th in 2024)
- San Diego, CA (8th in 2024)
- Central Jersey, NJ (6th in 2024)
- Chicago, IL (7th in 2024)
- Boston, MA (13th in 2024)
- Hudson Valley, NY (10th in 2024)
- Denver, CO (12th in 2024)
- Santa Barbara, CA (11th in 2024)
- Seattle, WA (Not ranked in 2024)
- Stockton-Modesto, CA (9th in 2024)
- Washington, DC (Not ranked in 2024)
- Hartford, CT (15th in 2024)
- Tampa Bay, FL (Not ranked in 2024)
- Fresno, CA (17th in 2024)
- Austin, TX (5th in 2024)
- Bakersfield, CA (18th in 2024)
- Philadelphia, PA (Not ranked in 2024)
The report also noted that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, as the top destinations for relocations for the second consecutive year. These areas are praised for their affordability, outdoor amenities, and quality of life.
The study can be found here.