Young adults are moving across state lines, and South Carolina attracted more Gen Z residents than any other state in 2024. The state recorded a net gain of 22,843 people ages 18 to 27, according to an analysis by LendingTree.
Affordability and access to work may be part of the draw, said Matt Schulz, the company’s chief consumer finance analyst. South Carolina is close to Charlotte and its expanding job market, while living costs may be lower than in some nearby areas.
California saw the biggest net outflow of Gen Z residents, losing 58,109. Texas was the top destination for Californians, with 19,287 moving there.
California, New Jersey and New York had some of the largest net losses, while South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas gained young adults, Schulz said. Career prospects matter, but so does being able to afford the life people want, he added.
The trend fits a broader pattern. IRS data showed that South Carolina gained more than 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023, along with about $4.1 billion in income. It had the largest net gain per resident, though Texas and Florida attracted more newcomers overall.
As Gen Z enters the workforce, starts families and makes major purchases, its migration choices could have wider economic effects. Schulz pointed to housing, car loans and small businesses as areas that may be shaped by the generation’s decisions.
