Sarasota Is the Country’s Second Most Popular Relocation Destination

By Kim Doleatto July 13, 2023

Sarasota still tops PODS’ list as one of the most moved-to cities in the country. The portable moving and storage-solutions company recently released its third-annual relocation trends report, which analyzes consumer movements throughout the past 15 months and highlights what’s behind the trends.

Myrtle Beach, SC, and Wilmington, NC—which are listed as one metro area in the report—were No. 1 on the list after placing sixth last year. Sarasota came in second—a drop from its No. 1 spot last in the 2022 report—with Orlando, Ocala, and Houston, TX, following closely behind.

This is the second year in a row that southeastern states have seen a larger influx of residents compared to any other region in the country, with more than 80 percent of the destinations on the list located in the south. Florida saw the largest increase in new residents, with six different Florida areas earning a spot on the list.

But one major caveat surfaced: South Florida placed fifth place on PODS’ “Cities With the Highest Number of Move-Outs” list due to a rising cost of living, with the Miami metro area often cited as the least-affordable area countrywide when the cost of living and median income are considered.

The report pointed to economics as the largest factor behind consumers’ decisions to move, plus the absence of a state tax, warmer year-round weather and more affordable housing prices compared to larger metros. This differs from the 2022 report, in which people were most influenced by remote work opportunities and living closer to friends and family.