The 2024-2025 HireAHelper Moving Migration Report
In 2024, Americans faced a unique set of challenges that shaped their moving decisions. Rising moving costs continued to strain budgets nationwide, while environmental factors such as wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather played an increasingly prominent role in relocation choices. A total of 25.87 million Americans (that's 7.8% of the population) moved this year, which might seem like an impressively high number, but it's actually in line with the historic lows seen in 2023.
"Moves prompted by a "Change of Climate" were up 121% from last year, as more Americans sought better weather or environmental conditions."
The 2024-25 HireAHelper Migration Report offers a closer look at these trends. By analyzing over 114,000 moves booked through HireAHelper.com, insights from our 2024 customer survey, and the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, the report uncovers the key factors shaping how and why Americans moved this year.
A New England Shift: Which States Gained and Lost the Most Residents in 2024?
For years, southern states dominated the rankings for the greatest net gains in people moving in. But not this year.
In 2024, Vermont took the top spot, with 61% more people moving in than out. Meanwhile, neighboring New Hampshire experienced the biggest losses, with 34.3% more residents leaving than arriving.
Top 10 States with the Biggest Net Moving Gains and Losses
But Vermont and New Hampshire are just the beginning. The map below shows how every state fared in 2024, from big gains to notable losses, painting a clear picture of where Americans are heading — and where they're leaving behind.
Net Moves by State
In terms of sheer volume, California saw the highest number of moves in 2024, with more people reporting a new address within the Golden State than anywhere else in the U.S. As the most populous state, California has long been a major hub for relocation activity, and this year saw a surge in both local and long-distance moves.
This resurgence bumped the previous leader, Florida, down to third place. Texas held strong in second place, cementing its position as a consistent favorite for movers across the country.
Breakdown of U.S. Moves by State
States tell one part of the story, but what about cities? The next chart reveals the top 10 metro areas with the highest move volumes in 2024.
Top 10 Metro Areas for Moves
In many ways, they're a microcosm of the state results, with Los Angeles-Long Beach-Annehiem in California taking the top spot with 4.3% of all moves in the U.S., and three Texas-based metros making the rankings.
The Cost of Moving in 2024
The price of a move in 2024 came down to location, with some states costing significantly more than others. Vermont ranked as the most expensive state to move in, with an average cost of $846—more than double the $400 national average. On the other hand, Washington, D.C., was the least expensive place to move, with an average cost of just $333.
The chart below shows the average cost of moving by state, highlighting where a move might hit your wallet the hardest—or give it a break.
Average Cost of Moving by State
And those moving costs don't just vary by state—they can shift dramatically from city to city as well. In 2024, Shreveport, LA, topped the list as one of the most expensive cities to move, with an average cost of $654. Meanwhile, cities like Blacksburg,VA, and San Antonio,TX, offered more affordable moving options, with average costs under $300.
The chart below breaks down the average cost of moving by city. Check it out to see where your city ranks.
Average Cost to Move by City
Top Reasons Americans Moved in 2024
In 2024, 18% of those who moved said they relocated because they purchased a new home, according to the HireAHelper Customer Survey. Whether it was upgrading, downsizing, or finding the right fit, buying a new home gave many Americans a reason to pack up.
Similarly, census data highlights the biggest driver behind moves in 2024: the desire for new or better housing. The chart below breaks down the top 10 reasons for moving, providing a deeper look into what motivated people to pack up and start fresh this year.
Top 10 Reasons for Moving
While housing and jobs have traditionally driven most moves (and they still do), 2024 highlighted a growing environmental influence on relocation decisions. Moves prompted by a "Change of Climate" were up 121% from last year, as more Americans sought better weather or environmental conditions. Similarly, moves prompted by "Natural Disasters" rose by 44.7%, underscoring how events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods are increasingly forcing people to rethink where they live.
Year-Over-Year Changes in Moving Reasons
Moving is rarely a simple decision, and in 2024, according to our HireAHelper Customer Survey, most people found themselves relocating more out of preference than necessity. However, a significant portion of moves still stemmed from unavoidable circumstances like job changes, housing challenges, or environmental factors.
The chart below breaks down the balance between preference-driven and necessity-driven moves, offering insight into what motivates Americans to pack up and start fresh.
Did Americans Move out of Necessity or Preference?
Americans Dream of Moving Abroad, But Few Follow Through
According to the 2024 HireAHelper Customer Survey, 1 in 10 Americans thought about packing up and moving abroad this year. But when it came down to it, less than 0.5% actually made the jump. Turns out, dreaming about life overseas is a lot more common than making it happen.
What 2024 Moving Trends Reveal
As we close the chapter on 2024, the year's moving trends reveal a nation shaped by economic pressures and environmental challenges. High inflation and rising interest rates have kept moving rates at historic lows, while factors like climate and natural disasters have increasingly influenced where — and why — Americans choose to relocate.
"In terms of sheer volume, California saw the highest number of moves in 2024, with more people reporting a new address within the Golden State than anywhere else in the U.S."
Looking forward to 2025, there's reason to believe mobility rates may rebound. With inflation easing and interest rates beginning to decline, the financial barriers that kept many Americans rooted may start to lift. As these economic conditions improve, we anticipate a gradual rise in moves, driven by a renewed ability to pursue better housing, new opportunities, or simply a fresh start.
Sources and Methodology
HireAHelper's 2024-25 Migration Study analyzed over 114,000 local and long-distance moves in the U.S. that were booked in 2024 through HireAHelper.com and its partner sites and affiliates, including SimpleMovingLabor and MovingPlace. States and cities with fewer than 100 moves were excluded from cost calculations. This excluded six states: Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Additional data sources include:
- Migration/Geographic Mobility Data series by the U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements, as available via IPUMS
- HireAHelper customer survey carried out in November 2024 (2,305 respondents)
Net gains and losses in people moving in/out for both states and cities were calculated as the ratio of:
- # of people moving into the state or city, to
- the # of people moving out of the state or city,
- expressed as a percentage (%)
Illustrations by Joao Pereyra
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