By Ed Dean
Home moving resource website Move Buddha Moving surveyed 1,250 Americans about their plans to move in 2025.
The state with the highest demand for relocation was Florida, which slightly exceeded California in preference.
Some takeaways of the survey were:
- 35% of Americans say they plan to move in 2025, but historical trends suggest only 8-9% will actually relocate.
- 25% of respondents planning a move, say they’ll head out of state, and 4% are planning on moving to another country.
Most Northeasterners (71%) aren’t moving, but those who plan a move are 50% more likely than Western residents to exit their home state.
One out of three Americans prefers to live in the suburbs, making it the most popular living environment. Additionally, 87% of respondents indicated that a lower cost of living and more affordable housing would motivate them to move.
Although Americans have been relocating at historically low rates, a greater number report a desire to move. The survey revealed that among those looking to move in 2025, 68% intend to stay within their state, and more than half of those prospective movers—12% of all respondents—plan to remain within the same city limits.
According to Move Buddha, the 4% of Americans who plan to move to another country is typical following presidential elections, though this number tends to return to normal levels after a few weeks.
The survey shows that the Northeast has the highest rate of retention among the four U.S. regions analyzed, with 67% of Midwesterners, 63% of Southerners, and 57% of Westerners planning to stay in their current locations this year. While Northeastern residents are the least likely to report plans to move in 2025, those who do plan to move are the most likely to relocate to another state, with 32.8% intending to change state residency.
The data reveals several reasons why people are considering a move this year, including economic and environmental factors. Specifically, 60% cited earning potential, 79% mentioned the desire for safer communities, 62% expressed the need to escape natural disasters, and 76% highlighted the importance of environmental factors, such as access to nature. Additionally, 70% are looking for more living space, 67% for social connections like proximity to friends and family, and 64% for cultural opportunities.
