After attracting a wave of new residents during the pandemic years of 2021-2023 — even becoming the fastest-growing state in 2022 — Florida has fallen out of favor in the last year, with more people leaving than entering the Sunshine State.
But according to a new study, Jacksonville is bucking the trend in Florida, one of just two cities in the state ranking in the Top 20 list of most moved-to cities in the U.S. for 2025. Two years earlier, six Florida cities were on the list, including five of the Top 10.
The report, from moving and storage company PODS, ranked the city No. 10, down a spot from its 2024 ranking in the same study. U.S Census Bureau figures support Jacksonville’s standing, listing it among the 15 cities with the most population growth in 2024.
Why Jacksonville?
As Florida’s largest city by both population and landmass area, Jacksonville offers a lower-than-average cost of living, a growing metro population of 1.7 million, and a strong quality of life that sets it apart from pricier cities like Miami and Orlando, according to the Moving to Florida Guide.
Buying a home in Jacksonville: How much do you need to make?
As Jacksonville officially crossed the 1 million population mark last year — becoming the 10th most populous city in the U.S. — the surge in demand for housing has followed suit. The city’s growing appeal is evident in its swelling population of 1,009,833, according to U.S. Census data released a year ago. With more people moving in, home prices are keeping pace…