NC folks are moving away to these places the most, new U-Haul report says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- North Carolina attracts newcomers from states like Florida, Georgia and Texas.
- U-Haul data shows North Carolinians relocate most often to Atlanta and D.C.
- Remote work and post-pandemic shifts drive exits to cities like Boston and NYC.
With three North Carolina cities recently recognized among the best places to raise a family, it’s no surprise thousands of transplants are flocking to the Tar Heel State every year.
Data from MoveBuddha, a Georgia-based moving company, show the average American moves at least 11 times during their lifetime — and the most popular time of year to move is right now, during the summer months.
But where are transplants from North Carolina headed? Here’s what you need to know.
What places are NC residents moving to the most?
According to a recent report from U-Haul, people from North Carolina are moving to states like Georgia, Florida and Maryland. The most popular cities for transplants from North Carolina include Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
However, U-Haul’s data also show that a considerable number of residents are choosing to move further north, opting for cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
The company blamed the exodus on the COVID-19 pandemic, “when people took advantage of remote work and migrated to less-crowded markets,” the report says.
What places are people moving out of to come to NC?
U-Haul customers are mostly moving into North Carolina from cities such as Atlanta, as well as a handful of cities in the Palmetto State, like Columbia and Greenville. The top ten states that people move out of to come to North Carolina are:
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Georgia
- Virginia
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Maryland
Which cities are people moving to most within the state?
According to U-Haul, most customers moving within the state prefer the following cities:
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Wilmington
- Asheville
- Fayetteville
This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM with the headline "NC folks are moving away to these places the most, new U-Haul report says."
