A new 2025 U.S. Migration Report from Allied Van Lines highlights where Americans are moving—and the findings shed light on the affordability pressures, job growth patterns, and lifestyle shifts shaping today’s housing market. Many of the states seeing the most inbound moves are also markets where Zonda’s proprietary data shows strong demand for new-construction homes.
Here’s what the latest migration patterns reveal and how they connect to broader new-home trends across the country.
South Carolina Tops the List of Inbound States
According to Allied Van Lines, South Carolina was among the strongest inbound states of 2025, continuing a trend of rapid population growth. Movers cited affordability, a lower cost of living, and lifestyle upgrades as major drivers.
Zonda’s market data shows similar momentum in key South Carolina metros:
Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach have sustained year-over-year new-home sales growth.
Entry-level and single-family communities have seen elevated traffic from relocating buyers, especially those seeking affordability and more space.
What it means for buyers: South Carolina continues to offer a wide range of new-build options at price points that remain competitive compared with many coastal metros.
Strong Inbound Moves to Arizona and Nevada Reflect Ongoing Sun Belt Demand
The Allied report highlights continued inbound migration to Arizona and Nevada, where metros like Phoenix and Las Vegas remain high-interest destinations.
Zonda research shows:
Phoenix remains one of the top new-home markets in the country, bolstered by job growth and migration from higher-cost states.
Las Vegas has shown stable demand and active community expansion, even as affordability becomes more challenging.
Consumer takeaway: Both markets attract buyers who want newer homes, predictable costs, and access to expanding suburban job hubs.
“Value Markets” Are Gaining Momentum as Affordability Pressures Rise
The Allied report notes that movers continue to seek smaller, more affordable markets—a shift seen across the new-home sector.
Zonda’s proprietary data also shows rising demand in metros where:
Buyers can access larger floorplans, new amenities, and growing job centers
Commutes remain manageable relative to major metros
Some of these cities include:
Spartanburg, SC
Surprise, AZ
North Las Vegas, NV
Why buyers are choosing these markets: They offer a balance of affordability, newer inventory, and lifestyle upgrades that older urban areas may lack.
Migration Toward Transit-Accessible Areas Aligns With Federal Housing Priorities
A key trend in the Allied report is the movement toward metros expanding transit access, including regions investing in commuter rail, rapid bus service, and mixed-use transit districts.
Zonda data shows that buyers increasingly value:
Shorter or predictable commutes
Walkable or connected neighborhoods anchored by new infrastructure investments
For relocating buyers, transit-rich submarkets can offer long-term savings and improved liveability.
Lower-Tax, Lower-Cost States Continue to Draw Movers
Allied’s report reinforces a long-running trend: Americans continue to flock to low-tax, lower-cost Sun Belt states, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
Zonda’s tracking of new-home activity mirrors this:
Texas remains a powerhouse for new-construction, with Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio consistently ranking among the largest new-home markets in the country.
Many inbound movers from high-cost states seek larger square footage, new amenities, and family-friendly neighborhoods—all readily available in new-build communities.
For many households, moving to a lower-cost state is a strategic financial reset—and new construction offers a predictable, low-maintenance path to homeownership in these markets.
What This Means for Homebuyers in 2025
The Allied Van Lines 2025 Migration Report offers a snapshot of where Americans are moving—and why. When viewed alongside Zonda’s proprietary data, several themes become clear:
Affordability remains the top driver of interstate moves.
Sun Belt states continue to dominate for inbound demand.
New-construction homes are attracting relocating buyers at high rates, especially in markets with job growth and attainable price points.
Transit access and mixed-use development are emerging as meaningful decision factors for today’s movers.
If you’re considering a move this year, these patterns can help you understand which markets are gaining momentum—and where new-home opportunities may be strongest.
