Portland among top 'move-out cities,' according to PODS moving company

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

Moving and storage company PODS revealed its data showing which cities across the country attracted the most new residents, and which saw the most pack up and leave.

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

Cities with highest levels of move-outs

1. Los Angeles, California (ranked first in 2023)
2. San Francisco area, Northern California (ranked second in 2023)
3. Miami area, South Florida (ranked fifth in 2023)
4. Long Island, New York, serving parts of New York City (ranked fourth in 2023)
5. Austin, Texas (not ranked in 2023)
6. Central Jersey, New Jersey (ranked sixth in 2023)
7. Chicago, Illinois (ranked third in 2023)
8. San Diego, California (ranked 14th in 2023)
9. Stockton-Modesto, California (ranked ninth 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 ranked in 2023)
14. Baltimore, Maryland (ranked 12th in 2023)
15. Hartford, Connecticut (ranked 20th in 2023)
16. Portland, Oregon (not ranked in 2023)
17. Fresno, California (not ranked in 2023)
18. Bakersfield, California (not ranked in 2023)
19. Northern New Jersey, serving parts of New York City (ranked 15th in 2023)
20. Minneapolis, Minnesota (not ranked in 2023)

PODS data found California had the highest concentration of move-outs among U.S. states, with seven cities or regions represented in PODS' Top 20 rankings.

In Texas, the once red-hot market of Austin made its first appearance in PODS' rankings. Dwindling affordability and housing inaccessibility are two of the factors contributing to these declines, PODS data found. The analysis also suggested present uncertainties and layoffs within the tech industry — a major industry that relocated operations and personnel to the Texas capital during the pandemic — might also be giving residents pause as to whether they should continue living in Austin.

The moving company also pointed to new U.S. Census Bureau data that found Austin had a lower net gain of new residents, based on July 2023 estimates.

Another Texas city, Houston, is seeing a surge in new residents coming to town. Houston ranked No. 3 among cities where PODS saw the largest volume of move-ins.

Among these rankings was a clear trend of movers heading to the Carolinas. PODS data found the two states' costs of living tend to mirror the national average, while the regions offer beaches, mountains, green space and strong metro cities along with four-season weather and strong arts and cultural scenes.

Cities with highest levels of move-ins

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina (also ranked first in 2023)
2. Ocala, Florida (ranked fourth in 2023)
3. Houston, Texas (ranked fifth 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 seventh in 2023)
9. Jacksonville, Florida (ranked eighth 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 ranked in 2023)
15. Johnson City, Tennessee (not ranked in 2023)
16. Huntsville, Alabama (not ranked in 2023)
17. Dover, Delaware (not ranked in 2023)
18. Orlando, Florida (ranked third in 2023)
19. Savannah, Georgia (ranked 19th in 2023)
20. Greensboro, North Carolina (not ranked in 2023)

More details on PODS' analysis can be found online.