Where Each Generation Is Moving Across the U.S.
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Did you know that the typical American moves 12 times throughout life? That number may seem high at first glance, but there are many reasons one might move, from going to college as a young adult to finally relocating to a dream retirement location as a senior.
While there’s no shortage of reasons to relocate, no matter your age, it turns out that moving preferences may be impacted by when you were born — what could be a dream state for the Silent Generation and baby boomers may not have the same appeal for Generation Z.
Key Insights
Texas gained the most new residents overall, with an annual net migration of about 72,700 people.
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Florida remains a hot spot for baby boomers and the Silent Generation, with a combined net migration of about 47,000 people.
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The largest net migration of any age group is the movement of baby boomers to Florida from other states, with nearly 38,000 more coming than going.
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Texas is netting more millennial residents than any other state, while South Carolina saw the largest net migration of Gen Z residents.
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One thing unites every generation: they’re all leaving California. The Golden State has the highest negative net migration rate among all age groups.
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The Retirement Living Research Team analyzed the latest U.S. Census Bureau moving data and segmented it by age group to calculate each state’s net migration rate by generation.
Which States Are People Moving to and From?
Nationwide, people are flocking to the South: eight out of the top 10 states for net migration on our list are in the South, along with Arizona and Nevada. Perhaps the low cost of living is a draw, with states like Texas, Florida and South Carolina boasting some of the most affordable cities in the country, including El Paso, Texas, and Tallahassee and Fort Myers in Florida. Southern states also tend to have warmer climates, which most Americans prefer over chillier temperatures.
While the states with high rates of residents leaving spanned all regions, California had the largest net loss: 254,332 people, almost double that of the next-ranking state, New York. Cost of living may play a factor here, with California having one of the highest costs in the U.S. Additionally, the destructive wildfires taking place in the state in recent years may provide an extra incentive to leave.
Where Senior Americans Are Moving to
Americans aged 60 and over (which includes boomers and the Silent Generation) largely followed national trends, with both generations flocking to Florida, among other Southern states. Seniors also followed the national trend of leaving California — not surprising, given that the state is one of the most expensive for retirees.
One factor that may contribute to seniors moving to a new state is adjusting to a smaller postretirement income, which may necessitate a lower cost of living. Other seniors may move to be closer to family or to access better medical care.
The Silent Generation Is the Most Rooted
The Silent Generation has the lowest moving numbers of any generation, though those 75 and over still follow the trend of moving to Southern states like Florida, Texas and the Carolinas. One of the factors behind the Silent Generation staying put may be “aging in place,” a concept that encourages living in one’s home for as long as possible.
Florida Is Booming For Baby Boomers
In 2024, nearly 94,000 baby boomers moved to Florida — that’s more than two times the number of boomers who moved to any other single state. In fact, Florida took in about 38,000 more baby boomers than it lost, which is the highest net migration number of all age groups.
Baby boomers are likely drawn to the Sunshine State (which we’ve previously ranked as one of the top states for retirement) for its year-round mild temperatures, low property taxes and lack of state individual income tax.
Gen X Is Prepping for Retirement in Florida
While many retirees are already settling into their golden years in Florida, Generation X is choosing to join them ahead of schedule. While most in this generation aren’t retiring just yet, many seem to be putting down roots early. Whether it’s to be closer to family, secure a forever home or simply enjoy the warm climate, Gen X is choosing Florida before retirement officially begins.
Which States Are Attracting Younger Residents?
Younger generations are on the move, but to different Washingtons. Millennials are drawn to Washington state, while Gen Z is relocating to Washington, D.C. However, both millennials and Gen Z buck the Florida trend; both generations are leaving the Sunshine State in greater numbers than arriving.
Millennials Are Drawn to the South and West
Like the next-oldest generation, millennials are also headed to Texas. However, unlike Gen X, baby boomers and the Silent Generation, millennials are actually leaving Florida instead of moving there. Additionally, millennials are the only generation that has a large net migration to Washington state. As millennials work on growing their retirement savings, they may be drawn to Washington not only for its high-paying tech jobs and outdoors-focused lifestyle, but also because it doesn’t tax pensions, Social Security benefits, individual retirement accounts or 401(k)s.
Gen Z Is Flocking to South Carolina
Gen Z is drawn to the Palmetto State, perhaps for one major reason: getting a job. For Gen Zers who are just beginning their career, the state’s low unemployment rate — in addition to a job market growth rate that outpaces the national level — is likely a big draw.
Interestingly, Gen Z is also the only generation to have Washington, D.C., near the top of its list; the contrast is especially stark with millennials, for whom the nation’s capital is ranked 46th in net migration.
Tips for Moving to a New State
No matter your age, moving from one state to another can be intimidating. Luckily, there are several ways to make a big move easier:
- Get moving insurance. Accidents happen. Spending a little bit of cash upfront will save you a lot later if things go haywire.
- Do your research. While you may have a certain city already in mind, be sure to examine all the pros and cons before locking in a decision — better to be safe than regret a move down the line.
- Give yourself time. A cross-state move is no small feat. Remember to give yourself ample time to prepare so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
- Get rid of what you don’t need. That chair that’s been sitting in your garage forever? Now’s the time to get rid of it — and maybe make some extra cash by selling through an online platform like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
- Hire movers. Sometimes, it’s better to have the experts do the heavy lifting. Be sure to compare quotes from several movers in order to find the best long-distance moving company for you.
Methodology
The Retirement Living Research Team analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024) to determine which states Americans are moving to and from. We calculated net migration by finding the difference between each state’s inflow (people moving in) and outflow (people moving out), which formed the basis of our rankings.
To understand migration trends by generation, we segmented the data into the following age groups:
- Generation Z: 18 to 24
- Millennials: 25 to 44
- Generation X: 45 to 59
- Baby boomers: 60 to 74
- Silent Generation: 75 and older
Census Bureau demographic segments for age do not line up perfectly with commonly defined generational age ranges. We grouped them to match as closely as possible.
Reference Policy
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Article Sources
Retirement Living writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- U.S. Census Bureau, “Explore Census Data.” Accessed Nov. 3, 2025.
- U.S. Census Bureau, “Calculating Migration Expectancy Using ACS Data.” Accessed Nov. 3, 2025.
- Pew Research Center, “Most Like It Hot.” Accessed Nov. 3, 2025.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series.” Accessed Nov. 3, 2025.
- Economic Policy Institute, “The State of Working South Carolina.” Accessed Nov. 3, 2025.