Where Americans Are Moving in 2025: A Deep Dive Into This Year’s Migration Patterns

A 2025 migration study from Atlas reveals fascinating shifts in where Americans are choosing to live, with surprising trends emerging across the country. Based on data tracking moves from November 2024 through October 2025, this year’s patterns tell a story of changing priorities, economic pressures, and the lasting effects of recent housing market dynamics.

The Big Picture: Why Movement Remains Sluggish
Despite the natural human tendency to relocate for life changes and career opportunities, overall mobility across the United States remains relatively low. Three key factors continue to suppress movement:

• Sky-high housing costs making it difficult to afford moves to many markets
• Limited inventory reducing options for potential movers
• The “lock-in effect” keeping homeowners with low mortgage rates in place

This lock-in phenomenon has been particularly notable in states like California, Illinois, and New York. Once among the nation’s top outbound states, these areas have now reached balance as homeowners choose to stay put rather than give up favorable mortgage rates secured in previous years.

The New Hotspots: Where People Are Moving To

Arkansas claims the top spot as 2025’s most popular inbound destination, followed closely by Idaho and North Carolina. But the full top ten list reveals an interesting geographic diversity:
1. Arkansas
2. Idaho
3. North Carolina
4. Hawaii
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Tennessee
7. Washington
8. Alabama
9. North Dakota
10. New Hampshire

This list represents a mix of Southern affordability (Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama), Mountain West appeal (Idaho), growing metros (North Carolina, Washington), and unique lifestyle destinations (Hawaii, New Hampshire). Washington, D.C.’s appearance in the top five suggests that despite high costs, the capital region continues to draw newcomers, likely tied to government work and professional opportunities.



The Great Plains Exodus: Who’s Leaving and Why

The most striking trend in 2025 is the mass exodus from Great Plains states. Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming all rank among the nation’s top outbound states, with Sioux Falls, South Dakota recording the highest outbound rate of any city nationwide.
Louisiana holds the dubious distinction of being America’s most outbound state for the second consecutive year. The complete top ten outbound list includes:

1. Louisiana
2. West Virginia
3. Wyoming
4. Delaware
5. Nebraska
6. Arizona
7. Iowa
8. Oklahoma
9. South Dakota
10. South Carolina

What explains this pattern? Many of these states face challenges including limited economic diversity, harsh winters or summers, rural isolation, and fewer job opportunities in growing industries. Arizona’s presence on this list is particularly noteworthy given its previous popularity as a retirement and relocation destination, potentially signaling that extreme heat and water concerns are beginning to outweigh the state’s traditional appeal.

Global Connections: International Migration Patterns
The study also tracked international migration, revealing which countries are sending the most people to North America and which are receiving the most emigration. India tops the inbound list, followed by France and Canada, while Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Cambodia lead the outbound rankings.

These patterns reflect global economic conditions, immigration policy changes, and international job markets. The presence of European countries like France, Spain, and Belgium on the inbound list suggests that North America continues to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs from developed nations, not just from emerging economies.

What This Means If You Live in Arizona (or Are Thinking About It)
When you filter all this national movement through an Arizona lens, a few truths rise to the surface and they matter whether you’re staying put, upsizing, downsizing, or relocating here.

First, don’t let Arizona’s appearance on the outbound list throw you.
Yes, the study shows more people moving out than in, but the why behind that data is crucial. Extreme heat, water concerns, and a cooling post-pandemic surge are shifting behavior, not collapsing demand. The Phoenix metro is still one of the most economically resilient, high-growth regions in the country. What we’re seeing is a maturing market, not a declining one.

For homeowners, that means stability.
When other states freeze movement due to high prices or lack of inventory, Arizona continues to attract employers, talent, and investment. Even if fewer people are moving here compared to peak years, the long-term fundamentals remain strong. Jobs, lifestyle, affordability relative to the coasts, and sunshine still drive demand and those drivers haven’t gone anywhere.

For buyers, this shift creates opportunity.
A softer inbound wave means less competition than the frenzied market of 2020–2022. You may have more leverage, more choices, and more realistic pricing depending on the neighborhood. While high-demand areas still move fast, the broader market is far more navigable than it was just a few years ago.

Arizona’s Role in the Bigger Picture
The trends outlined above, Arkansas surging, the Great Plains emptying out, coastal states stabilizing, all point to one thing: Americans are choosing affordability, climate comfort, and economic upside.

Arizona sits right at that intersection, but with one twist:
We’re seeing a more measured, thoughtful migration pattern instead of the pandemic-era rush.

Some people are leaving because the heat is becoming a larger consideration. Some are coming because even with rising prices, we still offer remarkable value compared to California, Colorado, Washington, or the Northeast. And many are simply staying put due to low interest rates and strong job security.

It’s less about a boom or bust and more about recalibration.

The Bottom Line for Arizona Buyers & Sellers
If you’re planning a move here in Phoenix or anywhere in the state, here’s the real takeaway:

Popular areas will stay competitive. Underrated areas will offer hidden value. And the “right” move is the one aligned with your goals, not the national headlines.

Arizona isn’t losing steam; it’s evolving.
Inventory is still tight. Demand is still steady. Pricing is stabilizing. Opportunities are appearing in places most people overlook.

When the landscape shifts, the advantage goes to the homeowner or buyer who sees the trend early and acts with clarity.

If you want help identifying where the smart money is moving inside Arizona whether it’s Moon Valley, the East Valley, the Northwest boom corridor, or the next up-and-coming pocket, I can walk you straight to the opportunities.