Why Americans Moved in 2024

In the past year, more Americans moved to be closer to friends and family or to find better affordability, according to the National Association of Realtors®. This is a shift from previous trends, which showed more homeowners moving due to job-related reasons. 

However, despite this emerging trend nationwide, many movers in the Northeast remained job-motivated, as they were the region most motivated by their job locations and commutes. Over half of movers to the Northeast said they worked at least partially in the office, and their job influenced their move. 

The top drivers for movers to the Northeast were: 

1. Outdoor space (37%) 
2. Bigger home needed (36%) 
3. Better work commute (26%) 
4. Quieter area (23%) 

Also notable: while people who moved to the South and West mostly came from different states, relocations in the Northeast were more commonly within the same state.  

“Pennsylvania offers significantly more affordable housing than neighboring states like New York, New Jersey and Maryland, making it particularly appealing to families, retirees and first-time homebuyers,” said NAR Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research Nadia Evangelou. 

She also cited Pennsylvania’s lower cost of living, location between major job markets in bigger cities and more affordable tax environment as factors that have enticed people to move to the state.  

Nationwide, the top 10 reasons for moves were: 

1. Closer to family and friends (30%)
2. More home for the money (21%) 
3. Safer area/less crime (16%) 
4. Lower/more favorable taxes (16%) 
5. Closer to work location (15%) 
6. Already lived there (11%) 
7. Better schools (9%) 
8. Better job market/opportunities (9%) 
9. Better weather conditions (8%) 
10. Political reasons (8%)