2 NC cities named among top places to move in 2025 (one’s No. 2 in the nation)
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- Wake Forest and Calabash ranked among top 10 U.S. cities to move to in 2025.
- MoveBuddha data shows strong inbound migration to smaller Southeast towns.
- U-Haul reports Charlotte sees many newcomers arriving from nearby Southern metros.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a relocation boom across the U.S., and some metro cities are still seeing an influx of newcomers some five years later, according to a new moving trends analysis.
North Carolina remained a popular spot for those seeking a fresh start, with two metro cities — Wake Forest and Calabash — cracking the top 10 places to move to in 2025, per data from moveBuddha.
Wake Forest, a Raleigh suburb, ranked second on the national list with nearly four times the number of moves into the city than exits, data show. Down on the coast, fishing town Calabash came in at No. 5 with a 343-to-100 in-to-out move ratio.
For the rankings, moveBuddha analyzed 55,000 searches from its moving cost calculator between April and June to compare rates of arrivals and exits in states and cities across the U.S.
The Georgia-based tech company offers moving cost estimates and other tools for those looking to relocate, according to its website.
The migration analysis, updated July 15 to reflect Q2 searches, found that the “Southeast is the place to be” as movers flock to top states South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.
What’s more, seven of the ten most popular metro cities to move to are in the South, data show.
MoveBuddha cited affordability, job opportunities and access to the outdoors as major draws to the region.
“It isn’t highly populated urban hubs that are drawing the largest proportions of new residents,” the company said. “Instead, small and suburban enclaves with plenty of affordable housing and outdoor recreation emerge as big winners mid-way through 2025.”
So which city took the top spot? Conway, South Carolina, was ranked No. 1 after seeing 400 moves in for every 100 moves out between April and June, according to moveBuddha.
What are the top cities to move to in 2025?
Here’s where people are headed so far this year, per the moveBuddha analysis:
- 1. Conway, South Carolina: 400 inbound moves in for every 100 outbound moves
- 2. Wake Forest: 386 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 3. Eagle, Idaho: 379 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 4. Caldwell, Idaho: 357 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 5. Calabash: 343 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 6. Green Valley, Arizona: 339 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 7. Johnson City, Tennessee: 333 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 8. Fairhope, Alabama: 333 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: 326 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
- 10. Little River, South Carolina: 320 inbound moves for every 100 outbound moves
What’s driving moves to Wake Forest, NC?
More than 47,600 people already call Wake Forest home, and the town is still growing.
Within the last year, 3.9% of newcomers moved to the township from another state compared to 2.1% who relocated from a different county, according to the latest available census data.
Wake Forest boasts a “quaint, walkable” downtown area with a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as an array of attractions and recreational activities for those seeking adventure, its website says.
“This recognition confirms what we have always known – Wake Forest is a wonderful place to live, work, play, and raise a family,” Mayor Vivian Jones told The Charlotte Observer.
“Our ranking also reflects what our residents say they love about Wake Forest — our charming people, safe neighborhoods, strong sense of community, and exceptional quality of life,” Jones said.
What’s driving moves to Calabash, NC?
Nestled on the Carolina Coast, Calabash has been dubbed the “Seafood Capital of the World.”
The town has just over 2,000 residents, 22% of whom hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher and earn a median income of $60,048, census data shows. Of the new moves reported in the last year, 5.4% were from out of state.
What started as a small fishing village “is growing rapidly,” attracting newcomers with its waterfront views, fishing voyages and distinctive fried seafood, according to the Town of Calabash’s official website.
Town administrator Michael Price said Calabash’s proximity to nearby beach towns, including Holden Beach and Sunset Beach, has helped fuel the town’s booming tourist economy — some of whom are now putting down roots.
“The whole of Brunswick County and neighboring counties of Horry, Columbus and New Hanover are developing at an unprecedented pace,” Price told The Charlotte Observer via email.
“We are already experiencing the impacts from development, such as lack available doctors and health care facilities, storm drainage, lack of public water capacity, lack of road infrastructure to accommodate traffic, and these are just to name a few,” he said.
Where are people moving from?
More people are seeking to call the Tar Heel State home, but where are they coming from?
A recent analysis by moving company U-Haul found that transplants often arrive from neighboring states and metros. For Charlotte specifically, midyear migration trends showed recent U-Haul moves into the city mostly originated from Atlanta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; and Greenville, South Carolina.
The leading metro areas of origin for in-state moves were, in order: Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington, Asheville and Fayetteville.
For the rankings, U-Haul analyzed one-way customer transactions between January and July to determine the top origins for moving trucks headed to the 35 metro areas with populations over 2 million, according to its website.
“Many of the largest U.S. metros are in growth mode — a change from what was seen following the COVID-19 pandemic when people took advantage of remote work and migrated to less-crowded markets,” the company said.
This story has been updated with comments from Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones and Calabash Town Administrator Michael Price.
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM.