Florida is top moving destination in US: National Association of Realtors

A new report from the National Association of Realtors shows more people are moving to Florida than anywhere else in the country. 

The net migration to the Sunshine State in 2023 was 372,870, based on data from the U.S. Census analyzed by the association. Texas was the state with the next highest net migration, with more than 315,300 people moving there in 2023.

Nearly half of the people who moved in 2023 — about 46% — went to the South, according to NAR's 2024 Migration Trends report. The South, in the report, goes as far north as Delaware and Maryland. 

The NAR report delves into what motivated people to make the transition and found 30% moved to be closer to family and friends, followed by 21% who wanted more home for their money.

“It is no surprise that the Sun Belt states continue to attract movers within the U.S., but this report helps to highlight just how much the draw to be close to one’s friends and family drives a relocation,” Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research, says in a statement. “Home buyers continue to seek areas where their support systems are around them.”

Those moving to the South were also more driven than others by lower or more favorable tax rates, according to the report.

“Home buyers are placing a priority on getting more bang for their buck, looking to areas with not only more space within their home but also favorable taxes,” Lautz says in a statement. “This migration flow will likely continue as retirees and remote workers relocate.”

Job location did not factor into the purchase decision for 43% of Realtors’ recent clients, with those moving to the South and West more likely to report job location did not play a role in their decision due to remote work. Job location did influence 37% of movers who work at least some of their time in the office. 

About 36% of Realtors reported that their clients moved to a different state, while the majority moved within their current state, with 21% moving within the same city; 21% moving to a different city in the same area; and 21% moving to a different area within the state. 

Among their recent clients, Realtors say 94% made a permanent move to a new area, while 6% split their time between their new and previous locations.