More People Are Moving to Oregon Than Anywhere Else but the Housing Shortage Is Getting Worse
A recent survey showed that the percentage of inbound workers- those coming to Oregon from other states- was higher than in any other state across the US, but that may be bad news for the existing housing shortage.
Oregon Is Top US State Where People Migrate To
United Van Lines tracks state-by-state migration, and the United Van Lines 49th Annual National Movers Study, based on household moves within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., ranks states by comparing inbound and outbound moves as a percentage of total moves in each state.
Source: United Van Lines 2025 National Movers Study and state ranking table
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The Top States People Moved to in 2025 were:
| RANK | STATE | INBOUND |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 64.5% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 62.1% |
| 3 | South Carolina | 60.8% |
| 4 | Delaware | 59.7% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 58.2% |
| 6 | Idaho | 57.8% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 57.8% |
| 8 | Arkansas | 57.3% |
| 9 | Alabama | 57.1% |
| 10 | Nevada | 57% |
(“High inbound” states are where 55 percent or more of moves are into the state)
The researchers noted that people who moved in 2025 did so purposefully and thoughtfully, seeking out specific places where the lives they envisioned for themselves felt more achievable.
Sometimes that meant moving across the country; other times, it was just far enough to make their day-to-day lives run more smoothly.
Oregon, with just 0.3% growth from 2023 to 2024, has one of the lowest growth rates nationwide and one of the lowest birth rates of any state, helping it rank at the top for migration.
This trend continued throughout 2025. which is why Oregon wound up in the top spot, and this was also supported by Central and Southern Oregon being especially attractive to newcomers seeking space and access to nature.
15.7% of those surveyed moved to Oregon to make a lifestyle change, and 42% of those under 45 moved to be closer to family. Over a third of those heading to Oregon (36.1%) did so because of their careers, and 29% of respondents cited the reason as an annual income of $100-150K.
More People Move To Oregon, But Housing Shortage Persists
Despite the influx, Oregon’s own housing-production dashboard shows cities falling behind state-set housing targets. As migration increases, housing supply may not keep up with the influx.
According to the state’s chief economist, to climb out of the housing shortage, Oregon needs to build about 29,500 more homes, mainly in the Portland region and the Willamette Valley, to address a shortage that has been years in the making.
Source: Oregon chief economist testimony on annual housing need and U.S. Census Building Permits Survey state totals
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Yet just over 20,000 residential permits were issued in 2022 and under 18,000 in 2023. Around 13,000 were issued by Nov. 2024. Affordability will remain problematic if Oregon experiences more inbound moves, given that housing construction is already below what the state says it needs.