South Carolina Draws Largest Gen Z Net Gain

South Carolina posted the nation's largest per-capita net gain of young adults from interstate migration in 2024.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Youth

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a single cardboard moving box on a clay-red road curving toward pine-covered hills under a soft morning sky. — South Carolina drew the largest per-capita net gain of Gen Z adults from interstate migration in 2024, adding 22,843 residents ages 18 to 27 while California lost 58,109. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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South Carolina recorded a net gain of 22,843 Gen Z adults, ages 18 to 27, through interstate migration in 2024, according to a LendingTree analysis. California posted the largest net loss of Gen Z residents, at 58,109.

Why it matters

South Carolina's proximity to Charlotte gives young adults access to a growing job market, and the state may offer a less expensive place to live than other options. Young adults' moves may have broader economic implications as they enter the workforce, start families and make major purchases.

South Carolina gained roughly $4.1 billion in income from interstate migration, according to IRS data, and added more than 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023. The data does not indicate how many of these newcomers will remain in the state over the long term.

The players

LendingTree

LendingTree is an online loan marketplace that published the analysis of interstate migration data behind these Gen Z figures.

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service is the U.S. federal agency that collects taxes and tracks income data by state, including the income South Carolina gained from migration.

The details

Gen Z is defined as adults ages 18 to 27. Among the states with large Gen Z net losses were California, New Jersey and New York, while South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas posted net gains. Texas drew 19,287 Californians among those leaving California.

2022 to 2023: South Carolina added more than 59,000 residents from other states.
2024: South Carolina recorded a net gain of 22,843 Gen Z adults through interstate migration.

Roadmap

The IRS state-to-state migration data has long tracked where Americans relocate by income, and this Gen Z analysis extends that record to show which states are drawing the youngest adults. It places South Carolina's gain within a continuing pattern of Sun Belt and Southeastern states attracting younger residents.

Young adults considering a move to South Carolina may weigh the state's lower cost of living and access to the Charlotte job market. Residents may see added demand for housing and services as newcomers settle.

The takeaway

Young adults weighing where to start their careers may find that nearby major job markets and lower living costs matter as much as headline salaries. Comparing cost of living across states can help clarify which move makes sense.