San Francisco one in every of prime ‘move-out cities,’ in line with PODS shifting firm

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — Which U.S. cities saw the most people move to – and move away from – in the last year?

Moving and storage company PODS has released its data showing which cities across the country attracted the most new residents and which saw the most people packing up and moving away.

You may have seen the Florida-based company's shipping containers on driveways in your neighborhood. Founded in 1998, the company lets movers fill the PODS with their belongings and then ships them to the new address.

Cities with the most departures

1. Los Angeles, California (ranked 1 in 2023)
2. San Francisco and surrounding areas, Northern California (ranked 2nd in 2023)
3. Greater Miami, South Florida (ranked 5th in 2023)
4. Long Island, New York, serves parts of New York City (ranked 4th in 2023)
5. Austin, Texas (not listed in 2023)
6. Central Jersey, New Jersey (ranked 6th in 2023)
7. Chicago, Illinois (ranked 3rd in 2023)
8. San Diego, California (ranked 14th in 2023)
9. Stockton-Modesto, California (ranked 9th in 2023)
10. Hudson Valley, New York (ranked 11th in 2023)
11. Santa Barbara, California (ranked 10th in 2023)
12. Denver, Colorado (ranked 18th in 2023)
13. Boston, Massachusetts (not listed in 2023)
14. Baltimore, Maryland (ranked 12th in 2023)
15. Hartford, Connecticut (ranked 20th in 2023)
16. Portland, Oregon (not listed in 2023)
17. Fresno, California (not listed in 2023)
18. Bakersfield, California (not listed in 2023)
19. Northern New Jersey, serving parts of New York City (ranked 15th in 2023)
20. Minneapolis, Minnesota (not listed in 2023)

According to PODS data, California has the highest concentration of out-migration of any U.S. state, with seven cities or regions represented in the PODS top 20 rankings.

In Texas, the once-hot Austin market made its first appearance in the PODS rankings. Dwindling affordability and inaccessibility of housing are two of the factors contributing to these declines, according to PODS data. The analysis also suggested that current uncertainty and layoffs in the tech industry – a major industry that moved operations and staff to the Texas capital during the pandemic – may also be making residents hesitant about whether to continue living in Austin.

The moving company also pointed to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau that showed Austin saw a smaller net increase in new residents based on July 2023 estimates.

Census data shows two cities rise on the list of the 15 largest cities in the U.S.

Another Texas city, Houston, is experiencing an influx of new residents. Houston ranks third among cities with the most new residents according to PODS.

Among these rankings, there was a clear trend toward moves to the Carolinas. PODS data found that the cost of living in both states is in line with the national average, while the regions offer beaches, mountains, green spaces and strong metropolitan areas, as well as four-season weather and a strong arts and culture scene.

Cities with the most new arrivals

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina (also ranked No. 1 in 2023)
2. Ocala, Florida (ranked 4th in 2023)
3. Houston, Texas (ranked 5th in 2023)
4. Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina (ranked 10th in 2023)
5. Charlotte, North Carolina (ranked 16th in 2023)
6. Raleigh, North Carolina (ranked 20th in 2023)
7. Phoenix, Arizona (ranked 18th in 2023)
8. Knoxville, Tennessee (ranked 7th in 2023)
9. Jacksonville, Florida (8th in 2023)
10. Asheville, North Carolina (ranked 17th in 2023)
11. Boise, Idaho (ranked 15th in 2023)
12. Portland, Maine (ranked 13th in 2023)
13. Nashville, Tennessee (ranked 11th in 2023)
14. Atlanta, Georgia (not listed in 2023)
15. Johnson City, Tennessee (not listed in 2023)
16. Huntsville, Alabama (not listed in 2023)
17. Dover, Delaware (not listed in 2023)
18. Orlando, Florida (3rd place in 2023)
19. Savannah, Georgia (ranked 19th in 2023)
20. Greensboro, North Carolina (not listed in 2023)

More details on PODS analysis can be found online.