The 6 Southern Cities Where People Are Moving

People were on the move in 2022, and they clearly preferred the South, where warmer climates, improved overall affordability, and growing job markets waited. Based on figures presented by the National Association of Realtors for 2022, Florida was the hot spot for domestic migration.

So where are people going in the Southern states? 

6 top cities for migration

It should be no surprise that these states also have the top metros people are moving to. Florida alone had four of the top ten cities. 

Where in these states are people moving to? Looking only at cities with 150,000 or more residents, the top cities for migration were:

Ocala, FL

The “Horse Capital of the World” was the top destination people were moving to, with a whopping 57.5% of its population increase from migration. Its affordability, growing housing market, and proximity to other Florida destination cities made it an attractive option for retirees and younger folks looking for jobs. 

That increase in growth isn’t likely to slow down; one economic firm predicted Ocala’s population will swell by over 50% by 2060. Now could be an excellent time to get in on Ocala real estate.

One survey found the top states people were moving from were New York and California. Still, Southern and other Central Floridians were jumping on Ocala’s bandwagon, seeking more affordable housing in a state being stressed by a housing shortage and rising costs.

Tallahassee, FL

The Florida capital was the second-most popular city to move in 2022, seeing 56.6% of its new residents coming from elsewhere in the US. Tallahassee is a relatively small Florida city used to a lot of influx. 

But don’t mistake this college town as a part-time place to live. It bursts with culture between its museums, art attractions, miles of bicycling paths, and an avid sports fan base. As a bonus, Tallahassee is surrounded by more pristine Florida wildernesses and farmlands, making it an urban oasis with excellent recreation access.

People like how many established homes are on larger lots, extending their purchasing power. Much of its 2019 growth was attributed to in-state migration from metros like Miami and Tampa-St. Petersburg. But outside the state, Georgia, the DC Metro, and New York were the top places people migrated from. 

Charlotte, NC

Coming in third place, the Queen City saw 56.6% of its population increase come from people migration. This financial hub has a thriving economy complemented by several large universities for extra stability and access to young talent. 

Being home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers or NASCAR doesn’t hurt either. Charlotte has amenities to appeal to everyone: 21,000 acres of parks and recreation, over 20 art and history museums, touring live music, street festivals, and professional sports. 

Savannah, GA

Georgia came in sixth in the top states to migrate list, and at the top of its metros for migration was this classic Southern city on the Savannah River. Over 55% of its new residents were domestic migrants. 

People are moving to Savannah because it’s a great place for being outside, with its many parks, equestrian facilities, and a historic downtown center. Being pedestrian-friendly makes it easy to get around the downtown core. 

For those looking for something more urban, Savannah has that, too, with plenty of shops and award-winning restaurants throughout the city. The art scene keeps growing, inspired by the beautiful architecture and southern landscape of sprawling live oaks and Spanish moss. 

Houston, TX

Houston was one of four Texas cities to make the top ten list. Its population growth was 55.7% migrants. The city is known for its booming job market, thanks to the energy, aerospace, and medical industries. 

But it’s also a great cultural place, with a whole museum district packed with 19 museums, a theater district, and a 400-store mall. The robust food scene centers around Tex-Mex and BBQ. It’s also a very active city, with six professional sports teams, plus significant sporting events like Ironman Texas and the Houston Marathon. 

Deltona, FL

Rounding out the top six, Deltona also had 55.7% of its population increase from those moving in. This Central Florida city lies about an hour from Daytona Beach and Orlando. Being right between theme park capital Orlando and the East Coast beaches makes it an attractive option for those who want to live outside the more populated areas but be close enough for easy day trips.

Locals consider it a great city for families, with its affordable cost of living and strong school system. The housing market is snowballing to accommodate all its new residents, making it one of Florida’s quickest-expanding metros.

Rounding out the top ten metros for migration were Myrtle Beach, SC; Huntsville, AL; Miami, FL; and McAllen, TX. 

Where people are moving 

Migration to the Southern region is steadily increasing as individuals seek warmer climates, improved affordability, and better job opportunities. Florida leads the pack, but the other southern states aren’t far behind. Cities like Ocala and Tallahassee may not be the ones attracting tourists, but that might be just what you want in your next home. Wherever you land, these metros promise great amenities and a high quality of life.