If it feels like everyone’s moving to Charlotte these days, you’re not imagining it! The Queen City is one of the fastest-growing places in North Carolina and the entire Southeast. According to our 2025 North Carolina Migration Report, 147 people move to Charlotte every day, part of a larger trend that has made North Carolina a top-five destination for movers nationwide. It’s drawing talent from across the state and beyond, reshaping how North Carolina grows and cementing its role as one of the country’s most dynamic cities.
We created this report to show what’s fueling that growth, who’s coming here, and what it means for people who already call Charlotte home.
Table of Contents:
Charlotte Moving Statistics 2025: Inbound Migration
Charlotte continues to stand out as North Carolina’s busiest destination for movers. Whether they’re coming from another state or just switching neighborhoods, more people are setting down roots in Charlotte than anywhere else in the state.
How Many People Move to Charlotte?
According to HireAHelper’s 2025 North Carolina Migration Report, Charlotte is the #1 metropolitan destination for movers, followed by Raleigh and Greensboro. In total, 53,486 people moved to Charlotte last year from outside the metro area. That breaks down to roughly 4,457 newcomers per month, or about 147 every single day.
The story doesn’t stop there. Local moves are even more common. Within Charlotte’s city limits, 109,610 people moved from one neighborhood to another in the past year. That’s around 9,134 people each month, or 300 people every day, reshuffling within the metro area.
These numbers make Charlotte the clear center of North Carolina’s migration boom. People are moving here from out of state, and choosing to stay, upgrade, or move across town as their needs change.
Top North Carolina Cities People are Leaving for Charlotte
Charlotte’s pull stretches well beyond its city limits. Each year, thousands of North Carolinians leave mid-sized metros for new opportunities in the Queen City. Most of them are drawn by higher-paying jobs, shorter commutes, or more affordable housing compared to bigger coastal markets.
Based on HireAHelper’s migration data, the top five North Carolina cities people are leaving to move to Charlotte are:
Together, these moves paint a picture of Charlotte as the state’s gravitational center. People are relocating from nearby metros for work in banking, tech, and healthcare, or to take advantage of its suburban growth in places like Ballantyne, Steele Creek, and University City. Many are also moving from Raleigh, Hickory, and Winston-Salem, and trading smaller markets for Charlotte’s steady job growth and vibrant cultural scene.
In short, more people are moving to Charlotte than anywhere else in the state, and once they arrive, they tend to stay.
Charlotte Moving Statistics 2025: Outbound Migration
Even with steady growth, not every move points inward. Charlotte also sees a meaningful number of residents heading out each year, many to nearby cities or neighboring states.
How Many People Move away from Charlotte?
According to HireAHelper’s 2025 North Carolina Migration Report, Charlotte is the number one metropolitan area that people leave each year. In total, 31,834 people moved away from Charlotte last year, which works out to about 2,652 per month, or 87 each day.
Of those movers, 10,834 stayed within North Carolina and relocated to other cities and towns across the state. The remaining 21,000 moved to another state. Most outbound moves are driven by life changes, housing costs, or job transfers. Even so, Charlotte continues to attract far more people than it loses.
Top North Carolina Cities People Go to When They Leave Charlotte
When people leave Charlotte but stay within the Carolinas, they’re often looking for a change of pace without giving up the benefits of Southern living. The most common destinations tell a story of regional connection rather than long-distance relocation.
Based on HireAHelper’s data, the top five destinations for former Charlotte residents are Hickory, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and the Myrtle Beach–Conway area.
Those moving to Hickory, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro are likely after a smaller-city feel with more affordable homes and an easy drive back to Charlotte. Raleigh attracts workers chasing new opportunities in tech and research, and Myrtle Beach–Conway appeals to anyone ready for a slower pace near the coast.
Taken together, these patterns show how connected North Carolina’s cities really are. Many who leave Charlotte aren’t moving far, and are simply finding the version of Carolina life that fits them best instead.
Why Are People Moving to Charlotte?
The reasons a region or city is attractive to new residents usually have to do with work, cost of living, and lifestyle. In Charlotte, job growth is steady, the city is affordable compared to many others of its size, and life feels balanced. That mix is what turns short visits into long-term stays, and what keeps many current NC residents staying inside state borders.
A Financial and Corporate Powerhouse
Charlotte’s rise as a national financial hub is one of the biggest reasons people keep coming to the city. It’s home to the headquarters of Bank of America and the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second-largest banking center in the United States after New York City. Beyond banking, a growing mix of tech, energy, and logistics companies have set up shop here, drawn by both talent and tax advantages.
“However, despite the great job prospects, as more people move in, housing and transportation costs rise, and that can eat into those income gains. Some long-time residents say they feel the squeeze, especially near major job centers.”
In the past few years, several major employers have either relocated or expanded in the metro area. Honeywell, Truist Financial, and Lowe’s Global Technology Center all established major operations that have created thousands of jobs. These corporate investments bring new workers to the city and strengthen the industries that keep Charlotte’s economy thriving.
Suburban Growth and Lifestyle Appeal
Many of Charlotte’s suburbs and neighborhoods are expanding at a rapid pace. You can drive through Ballantyne, Steele Creek, or South End and barely recognize them from a few years ago. Ballantyne’s full of new offices and townhomes, Steele Creek has houses going up on what used to be open fields, and South End feels like the city’s hangout spot, with patios, breweries, and a crowd that stays out late.
The most attractive part seems to be the breadth of neighborhood options. Whether prospective residents want the noise and walkability near the center, or a quiet street and a yard, they’ll likely be able to find exactly what they’re looking for. Even with prices climbing, it still costs less to live in Charlotte than in most big cities, and that makes it easier for people to stay once they arrive.
Business Incentives and Economic Opportunity
Charlotte isn’t growing by accident. North Carolina makes it easier for companies to expand, and the city has learned how to use that to its advantage. The state keeps business taxes low, and both the city and county offer deals that reward employers who create new jobs.
Those incentives keep work coming in across a lot of fields. Banks and tech firms keep hiring, but there are also new roles in construction, manufacturing, and energy. That mix helps people stay long-term: younger workers have a reason to move in, and older workers have a reason not to leave.
For a lot of people, that stability is what makes Charlotte feel different. It’s a place where you can count on finding work, building a career, and still afford a decent life while you do it.
The Impacts and Consequences of Migration to Charlotte
Charlotte’s growth has changed more than its skyline. Migration has shaped where people live, how they work, and what the city feels like day to day. The effects show up in housing prices, job opportunities, and the character of its neighborhoods.
Housing and Real Estate
Every person who moves in adds pressure to a housing market that’s already tight. Home values in Charlotte have risen sharply over the past few years, pushed up by steady demand from both newcomers and locals moving across town.
Zillow tracks home prices, and it’s clear the city’s market hasn’t slowed down. The numbers in Charlotte keep climbing, and they’ve already passed what they were before the pandemic. Builders are trying to keep up, but there just aren’t enough new homes to match how many people are moving in. That gap is what drives the competition and higher costs. Buyers are stretching budgets, and more of them are starting to look in nearby counties like Gaston, Union, or Cabarrus, where prices are a little lower.
More people are renting, too. With home prices up and inventory still tight, many would-be buyers are pressing pause and renting while they build savings or wait for better rates and more listings. You can see new apartment buildings rising in South End, University City, and NoDa. For a lot of households, renting is a practical bridge: you avoid a big down payment and bidding wars, and you still get modern spaces, walkable neighborhoods, and shorter commutes.
Unless something changes, housing costs will probably keep climbing. The city has made some zoning changes and started a few programs to add affordable homes, but supply still trails behind demand.
Job Market
Charlotte’s job market has been busy for years, and people moving here are keeping it that way. Every new company that opens or expands adds another layer of opportunity, from banking and tech jobs to construction and health care. That’s one big reason people keep coming to the city: there’s steady work in nearly every field.
Federal Reserve data backs that up. Statewide income trends show North Carolina’s median household earnings climbing, and Mecklenburg County numbers follow the same path. Pay has gone up across most industries, helped by the mix of long-time local employers and the new arrivals setting up headquarters here.
However, despite the great job prospects, as more people move in, housing and transportation costs rise, and that can eat into those income gains. Some long-time residents say they feel the squeeze, especially near major job centers. Even so, steady employment keeps Charlotte on a strong footing.
What stands out most is how wide the job base has become. Finance still leads, but now it shares the stage with energy, logistics, and tech. Newcomers find it easier to land on their feet, and companies get a city full of skilled, motivated workers.
Social and Cultural Impact
Charlotte doesn’t feel like the same city it was a few years ago. Growth has changed its rhythm and its mix of people. You can see it in how busy the neighborhoods have become and how many new faces show up at community events.
Places that used to be quiet are now some of the city’s busiest spots. South End has turned into a walkable hub full of apartments, restaurants, and small businesses. Ballantyne keeps adding offices and parks that make it feel like its own small city. Steele Creek has grown fast, filling up with new homes and families who came here from other parts of the state.
“In total, 53,486 people moved to Charlotte last year from outside the metro area. That breaks down to roughly 4,457 newcomers per month, or about 147 every single day.”
The change shows up in small ways, too, like more community markets, more food options, and more things to do on weekends. Schools and local groups have worked to keep people connected while the population keeps rising.
Some longtime residents say Charlotte feels less like the banking town they remember and more like a blend of everything the state has become. That mix gives the city new energy, and it’s what makes Charlotte stand out as both familiar and new at the same time.
Charlotte’s Growth Story Is Still Being Written
Charlotte keeps changing, but it hasn’t lost its original charm. You notice it when someone holds the door for you at a coffee shop or when neighbors stop to talk on the sidewalk. New buildings go up, traffic feels a little heavier, yet people still take pride in calling this place home.
The city’s growing fast, and that can be chaotic sometimes. But underneath it all, there’s a feeling that things are moving in the right direction. Charlotte’s still finding its rhythm, and that’s part of what drives all these new residents to call it home.
Methodology
To examine North Carolina’s migration patterns, we analyzed PGM’s proprietary database of 18,000,000 national moves recorded between June 2024 and May 2025. Each move in this dataset represents an actual relocation, providing a uniquely current perspective on mobility trends.
Our analysis focused on:
- Origins and destinations of moves,
- Intrastate versus interstate flows, and
- Demographic characteristics of movers.
Unlike many studies that rely on outdated U.S. Census Bureau releases or modeled estimates from relocation calculators, this dataset reflects real moves as they occurred.
As such, it represents one of the most up-to-date and reliable sources of migration data available in the United States in 2025.
In Partnership With PGM
This migration report used in-depth consumer insights from data provider PGM, part of the Porch Group of companies. PGM’s robust audience data helps businesses reach customers strategically.