Key Takeaways:
- Texas gained more than 16,500 millennials in 2025 — that’s double the amount of any other state.
- Colorado saw nearly 5 times more millennial migration than overall population growth, showing younger adults are driving the state’s expansion.
- California lost over 17,000 millennials last year — the largest net generational outflow in the country and 5th per capita.
- Idaho leads the nation in millennial migration per capita, gaining 90 millennials for every 10,000 residents.
- Millennials are skipping starter homes, with the largest share buying mid-market homes priced between $126k–$300k with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Millennials are no longer the “young movers” of the U.S. housing market. Instead, they are now the country’s primary economic drivers, shaping housing demand, labor markets, and population growth across the country.
Using PGM’s proprietary database of nearly 15 million nationwide adult moves between January and December 2025, we analyzed where Americans born between 1981 and 1996 relocated, how far they moved, and what types of homes they purchased.
The result is a clear picture of modern millennial migration, one driven by affordability pressures, shifting job markets, and a growing tendency to skip the traditional starter home altogether.
Table of Contents
Where Millennials Make Up the Largest Share of Migration
To understand where millennials are driving population change, we compared the share of moves done by millennials into each state vs. the total amount of moves. In some places, millennials account for over a third of all migration activity.
Washington, D.C., had the nation’s highest millennial share of inbound moves in 2025, at 34.2% of all arrivals. Colorado follows closely behind at 32.7%, reinforcing the state’s continued appeal to younger professionals drawn to its job market and outdoor lifestyle.
Several Western states also rank near the top. Washington (31.2%), Utah (30.3%), and Oregon (29.7%) all see millennials making up roughly one-third of moves, highlighting the generation’s strong presence across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest.
At the same time, major economic hubs along the East Coast continue attracting large shares of millennial moves. Virginia (29.5%) ranks sixth nationally, followed by Texas (29.4%), which leads the country in net millennial migration. North Carolina (28.4%) and Georgia (27.4%) round out the top ten, underscoring the growing influence millennials have on population growth across the Southeast.
States With the Highest Net Gain vs Net Loss of Millennials
Looking at total migration numbers, several states stand out as clear destinations for millennials in 2025 in terms of sheer volume.
Top States for Net Gain
Because these rankings reflect raw totals rather than population-adjusted figures, larger states tend to dominate the list simply due to their size. Even so, these figures still highlight where the largest number of millennials are relocating and where population shifts are more visible in absolute terms.
Texas ranks first nationally, welcoming 16,530 more millennials than it lost, which is more than double the next closest state. The state’s strong job market, relatively affordable housing compared to coastal markets, and large metro areas continue to draw younger professionals and families.
North Carolina ranks second with 7,104 net millennial movers, followed by South Carolina (4,079) and Tennessee (3,944). These states have become consistent millennial magnets in recent years, fueled by population growth in cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston, and Nashville.
Minnesota rounds out the top five, gaining 2,932 millennials, suggesting that migration isn’t limited to the Sun Belt. Strong job markets and mid-sized metro affordability may be helping Midwestern hubs retain and attract younger residents.
Top States for Net Loss
On the other end of the spectrum, several large coastal states saw the biggest millennial losses. California experienced the largest net decline by a wide margin, losing 17,218 millennials in 2025. New York follows with a loss of 10,505, while Massachusetts (3,936), Maryland (3,779), and Pennsylvania (3,676) round out the top five states seeing the largest millennial outflows.
The divide reflects a growing geographic shift: millennials continue to leave high-cost coastal states while fueling population growth across the South and select Midwestern regions.
States With the Highest Millennial Migration Per Capita
Raw migration totals tend to favor large states with bigger populations, but per capita migration tells a different story — revealing where millennials are having the greatest demographic impact relative to the size of the population.
States Gaining the Most Millennials Per Capita
When adjusting for population size, smaller and mid-sized states dominate the rankings. Idaho leads the nation by a wide margin, gaining 90 millennials per 10,000 residents in 2025 — the highest rate of millennial migration in the country.
South Carolina ranks second, gaining 78.3 millennials per 10,000 residents, followed by North Carolina (67.1), Arkansas (62.2), and Tennessee (56.5). Across these states, strong job growth, lower housing costs, and expanding metros have helped draw younger residents from more expensive parts of the country. Because of the outsized effect population changes have on these mid-sized cities, this influx of millennials means they are reshaping the local population dynamics, influencing housing markets, and changing workforce demographics.
Several larger states also appear in the top ten. Texas, Alabama, Minnesota, Colorado, and Montana all rank among the states seeing the strongest millennial population growth relative to their size, reinforcing a broader trend of millennials fueling population growth across the South and Mountain West.
States Losing the Most Millennials Per Capita
On the other end of the spectrum, several states are experiencing the opposite trend, with millennials leaving at some of the highest rates relative to population size.
Washington, D.C. experienced the most dramatic millennial losses in the country, losing 205 millennials per 10,000 residents in 2025 — far more than any state-level decline. The loss suggests that younger residents may be seeking more affordable housing, relocating to regions with lower costs of living, or simply moving away from the nation’s capital, as the political job market lends itself to more migration churn.
Maryland ranks second for millennial losses per capita (61.2), followed by Massachusetts (56.3), New York (53.1), and California (43.9). Many of these areas are among the most expensive housing markets in the country, which may be pushing younger households to relocate to more affordable regions.
Together, these per capita shifts reveal a growing geographic divide. While large coastal economic centers continue to attract talent, smaller and more affordable states are increasingly capturing the largest share of millennial population growth.
Where The Top States Per Capita Are Drawing Millennials From
The states experiencing the fastest millennial growth per capita are drawing movers from a mix of neighboring states and high-cost coastal markets. Looking at the destination states — Idaho, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee — reveals several clear migration pipelines across the country.
- Idaho’s millennial growth is largely driven by West Coast migration. California sends the most moves to the state (1,113), followed by Washington (970), Oregon (448), Utah (440), and Michigan (379).
- South Carolina attracts a mix of regional and long-distance movers. North Carolina leads as the top origin state (2,627), followed by Florida (1,395), Georgia (1,144), New York (837), and California (831).
- North Carolina is seeing strong inbound migration from both the Southeast and coastal states. Florida sends the most millennials to the state (3,676), followed by California (3,032), Virginia (2,471), South Carolina (2,400), and New York (1,849).
- Arkansas draws most of its millennial movers from nearby regions. Texas ranks first (1,030), followed by California (558), Missouri (463), Kentucky (394), and Florida (372).
- Tennessee’s migration pipeline spans multiple regions of the country. Florida sends the largest number of movers (2,094), followed by California (1,489), Pennsylvania (1,454), Texas (1,147), and Georgia (1,134).
Across all five states, California appears repeatedly as one of the top origin states, reinforcing the broader trend of millennials leaving high-cost coastal markets for more affordable regions.
Where Millennials of Different Income Levels Are Moving
Millennial migration patterns vary widely depending on income level. To better understand these differences, we grouped millennial households into three income brackets:
- High income: $201,000 or more annually
- Middle income: $51,000 to $200,000 annually
- Low income: Less than $50,000 annually
These brackets help illustrate how affordability, career opportunities, and housing markets influence where millennials choose to move.
Higher-Income Millennials Cluster in Economic Hubs
Among high-income millennials, migration patterns are the most geographically concentrated. Many of the top states for higher-earning moves are located in the Northeast and along major economic corridors.
Connecticut leads the nation, where 11.3% of millennial moves fall into the high-income bracket, followed by New Jersey (8.1%) and Massachusetts (6.7%). Maryland (5.9%) and New York (5.8%) round out the top five.
Additional Northeastern states, including New Hampshire, Delaware, and Vermont, also appear among the top ten alongside larger economic centers such as Virginia and California.
These patterns suggest that while many millennials are leaving expensive coastal states overall, higher-income households continue to concentrate in regions with dense job markets, major financial centers, and established professional networks.
Middle-Income Millennials Follow Job Growth
Migration patterns shift noticeably among middle-income millennials, who tend to concentrate in states with strong job markets and expanding metro economies.
Maryland ranks first, where 65.5% of millennial moves fall into the middle-income bracket, followed closely by Virginia (65.2%) and New Jersey (64.3%). Western growth states also appear prominently, including Colorado (64.1%), Nevada (63.8%), and Utah (63.7%).
Several additional states appear among the top destinations for middle-income millennials, including South Carolina, Illinois, Washington, and Massachusetts. Many of these states feature fast-growing metropolitan areas where employment opportunities and housing markets remain attractive to mid-career professionals.
Lower-Income Millennials Are Moving to More Affordable States
Among lower-income millennials, several Midwestern and Southern states appear most frequently in the rankings. Kentucky leads the list, where 38.2% of millennial moves fall into the low-income category, followed by Missouri (34.2%), Louisiana (34.0%), New Mexico (33.7%), and Indiana (33.7%).
Several additional states round out the top ten, including Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Ohio, where roughly one-third of millennial moves fall into the lower-income bracket.
Across these states, relatively lower housing costs and lower costs of living may make homeownership more attainable for younger households compared to high-cost coastal markets.
The Metro Areas Attracting the Most Millennials
While state-level trends reveal where millennials are moving broadly, metro-level data shows which specific cities are attracting the fastest growth among young adults.
Across the country, mid-sized metro areas are emerging as some of the fastest-growing destinations for millennials. These cities often combine strong job markets, lifestyle amenities, and housing costs that remain more attainable than major coastal metros.
Clarksville, TN-KY, ranks first nationally for millennial growth per capita, gaining 54.9 millennials per 10,000 residents in 2025. Colorado Springs, CO, ranks second with 53.4 millennials per 10,000 residents, followed by Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, FL, in third place.
Several additional metros across the South and Mountain West dominate the top of the rankings, reinforcing a broader shift toward growing regional hubs and mid-sized cities.
Tennessee: A Fast-Growing Millennial Destination
Tennessee stands out as one of the strongest states for millennial growth at the metro level. Clarksville, TN-KY, ranks #1 nationally for millennial migration per capita, benefiting from its proximity to Nashville and the large Fort Campbell military installation.
The broader Nashville metro area also continues to attract millennials, ranking #19 nationally for millennial migration. The region’s strong job market, expanding tech and healthcare sectors, and vibrant cultural scene have made it one of the fastest-growing metros in the country.
Other Tennessee metros also appear in the rankings, including Knoxville (#44) and Chattanooga (#49), highlighting the state’s broad appeal to younger professionals and families looking for affordability compared to larger coastal cities.
Together, these metros underscore Tennessee’s growing reputation as a millennial migration hub in the Southeast.
Colorado: Outdoor Lifestyle and Economic Opportunity
Colorado continues to attract large numbers of millennials, with several metros appearing near the top of the national rankings.
Colorado Springs ranks #2 nationally for millennial growth per capita, offering access to outdoor recreation, a strong military presence, and housing prices that remain lower than nearby Denver.
Other Colorado metros also rank prominently, including Fort Collins–Loveland (#6) and Boulder (#9). The Denver–Aurora–Centennial metro area also appears in the rankings at #11, reinforcing the state’s broad appeal across multiple urban centers.
These metros combine strong job markets, proximity to outdoor recreation, and a high quality of life — factors that continue to draw younger residents to the Mountain West.
The Carolinas: Millennial Growth Across Multiple Cities
Both North Carolina and South Carolina are seeing widespread millennial growth across several metro areas.
Raleigh–Cary ranks #7 nationally, highlighting the continued expansion of North Carolina’s Research Triangle region. The area’s strong technology sector, universities, and expanding job opportunities have helped attract young professionals from across the country.
Several other North Carolina metros also appear in the top rankings, including Fayetteville (#5), Wilmington (#14), Durham–Chapel Hill (#20), Asheville (#40), and Winston-Salem (#100).
South Carolina also features prominently, with Myrtle Beach–Conway–North Myrtle Beach ranking #8 and Charleston–North Charleston ranking #10 nationally. Additional metros such as Greenville (#32), Spartanburg (#43), and Columbia (#56) further demonstrate the region’s growing appeal.
Together, the Carolinas illustrate how millennial migration is spreading beyond major urban centers and into a network of fast-growing Southern metros.
What Kinds of Housing Attracted Millennials in 2025
Millennials are now firmly in their prime homebuying years, and their purchasing patterns reflect a shift toward long-term housing needs rather than traditional entry-level starter homes. In fact, those starter homes priced at $125,000 or less account for just 9.8% of purchases, reflecting both rising home prices and the limited availability of entry-level homes across many parts of the country. The other bands of millennial home buying can be grouped into two categories: mid-tier and premium.
Millennial Mid-Tier Homebuying Trends
Looking at home prices by market tier, the largest share of millennial buyers purchased mid-tier homes priced between $126,000 and $300,000, which account for 34.1% of all purchases by millennials. These homes often represent a balance between affordability and space, particularly in mid-sized metros and lower-cost housing markets.
Close behind are move-up homes priced between $301,000 and $500,000, which make up 30.8% of millennials’ purchases. Together, these two tiers represent nearly two-thirds of all millennial home purchases, suggesting that many movers are entering the market at mid-tier price points rather than starting at the lowest end.
Millennial Premium and Luxury Homebuying Trends
At the higher end of the market, premium homes priced between $501,000 and $1 million make up 21.5% of millennial purchases, indicating that a sizable share of buyers are stretching into more expensive housing as they move deeper into their prime earning years.
Meanwhile, luxury homes priced above $1 million account for 3.7% of purchases, showing that while high-end buying remains a small share of the market, some millennials are already entering the luxury housing segment.
Taken together, these patterns suggest millennials are increasingly buying homes that can be lived in for longer, or even for life, rather than temporary starter properties, with most purchases concentrated in the middle of the housing market.
Millennials Are Buying Family-Sized Homes
Home size data further highlights the generation’s life stage. Three-bedroom homes dominate millennial purchases, accounting for 47.3% of homes bought — nearly half of all purchases.
Four-bedroom homes rank second at 27.7%, meaning that roughly three out of every four millennial buyers are purchasing homes with at least three bedrooms.
Smaller homes are far less common among millennial buyers. Two-bedroom homes account for just 13.9% of purchases, while one-bedroom homes make up only 2.1%, reinforcing the idea that many millennials are purchasing homes designed for families rather than temporary living situations.
More Bathrooms Reflect Long-Term Living Needs
Bathroom counts tell a similar story. The majority of millennial buyers are opting for homes with multiple bathrooms.
Homes with two to three bathrooms account for the majority of purchases at 53.0%, followed by three to four bathrooms at 19.4%. Meanwhile, homes with only one bathroom represent just over 21% of purchases, suggesting that many buyers are looking for additional space and convenience.
Together, these patterns suggest millennials are prioritizing homes that accommodate families, remote work, and long-term stability, even as housing affordability continues to shape where those purchases take place. For many millennial buyers, the “starter home” phase appears to be shrinking, with millennials increasingly jumping directly into larger homes designed for the next stage of life.
The Millennial Reshaping of America’s Map
In 2025, the country’s largest living generation continued shifting away from high-cost coastal states and toward the South, Mountain West, and fast-growing mid-sized metros. These moves are accelerating population growth in regions that offer a mix of affordability, job opportunities, and lifestyle appeal.
At the same time, millennial migration is becoming increasingly segmented by income. Lower-income households are prioritizing affordability, middle-income earners are following expanding job markets, and higher-income professionals remain concentrated in established economic hubs.
As millennials move deeper into their prime earning and home-buying years, their decisions are influencing where companies expand, where infrastructure is built, and where future economic growth will occur.
Daniel Cobb, Senior Editor and Lead Researcher, says, “Millennials are entering a stage of life where stability matters more than ever. Many are starting families, advancing in their careers, and looking for places that offer strong job markets, good quality of life, and housing they can grow into. Those priorities are driving many of today’s migration patterns.”
Methodology
To examine U.S. migration patterns, we analyzed PGM’s proprietary database of 14,977,223 national moves recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. Each move in this dataset represents an actual relocation, providing a uniquely current perspective on the mobility trends of adults born between 1981 and 1996 during the 2025 calendar year. Housing and demographic attributes were aggregated and anonymized to ensure privacy and statistical accuracy.
Our analysis focused on:
- Origins and destinations of adult moves,
- Intrastate versus interstate flows, and
- Demographic characteristics of people who are moving.
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.
For more information or questions about our data, please email press@hireahelper.com
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.