Americans are increasingly relocating to the South, with major cities in California and the Northeast losing residents, PODS finds.
From January 2024 to March 2025, the report found seven California cities—including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area—among the top 20 for highest move-out rates.
Residents are being driven out by steep living costs, limited housing affordability, and heightened risk of natural disasters.
Los Angeles ranked No. 1 again this year for the most residents leaving, marking its second year at the top.
The 10 Most Moved-From Cities in the U.S.
- 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)
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, topped the relocation list again, with the report citing affordability, outdoor options, and quality of life as key draws.
The study can be found here.
