Many are moving to Greenville and the rest of the state

Mass immigration to the Southeast continues

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina are top destinations as the mass immigration to the Southeast continues.

This mass exodus has been driven by skyrocketing costs of living, changing work policies, and natural disasters.

Popular moving and storage service PODS analyzed its net-long distance moving numbers between January 2024 and March 2025 to determine where most Americans are relocating to this year. Another area in S.C. also squeezed into the top 5, this time in the Upstate. Here's where it is.

Where are Americans moving to in the Upstate?

The Greenville-Spartanburg area is staying steady on the PODS list, ranking at spot No. 4 in the roundup. According to PODS, the area has a combined population of more than 1.4 million, with both cities featuring a "tight community and a focus on building the downtown areas where residents can enjoy an active culture with plenty of outdoor activities."

Workers find the area desirable due to top brands BMW and AFL planting their headquarters there. Access to affordable housing and quality schools is also made easy in Greenville-Spartanburg.

And when it comes to neighborhoods and attractions, there's no shortage. Residents in Greenville get to enjoy the Greenville Zoo and Pettigru Historic District, as well as two country clubs and golf courses located near Pleasant Valley, per PODS. Spartanburg neighborhoods Hillcrest and Fernwood are in short distance from shopping areas and quality outdoor spots.

20 cities with the highest number of move-ins ranked, according to PODS

• Myrtle Beach/Wilmington, North Carolina (1st in 2024)

• Greenville-Spartanburg (4th in 2024)

Cities with the highest number of move-outs ranked, according to PODS

• Los Angeles, California (1st in 2024)

• Northern California (San Francisco area) (2nd in 2024)

• South Florida (Miami area) (3rd in 2024)

• Long Island, New York (Serving parts of NYC) (4th in 2024)

• San Diego, California (8th in 2024)

• Central Jersey, New Jersey (6th in 2024)

• Chicago, Illinois (7th in 2024)

• Boston, Massachusetts (13th in 2024)

• Hudson Valley, New York (10th in 2024)

• Denver, Colorado (12th in 2024)

• Santa Barbara, California (11th in 2024)

• Seattle, Washington (Not ranked in 2024)

• Stockton-Modesto, California (9th in 2024)

• Washington, DC (Not ranked in 2024)

• Hartford, Connecticut (15th in 2024)

• Tampa Bay, Florida (Not ranked in 2024)

• Fresno, California (17th in 2024)

• Austin, Texas (5th in 2024)

• Bakersfield, California (18th in 2024)