In the United States, reasons for relocating vary greatly: from seeking a bigger house, job opportunities, personal choices, and more. According to an analysis of data from the Census Bureau by HireAHelper.com, the most common reason for middle-class Americans moving in 2023 was to find a new home or upgrade their living quality.
Here, middle class is defined as households with an annual income ranging from $30,000 to $150,000, which make up 60% of all households in the United States.
The research found that in 2023, less than 9% of middle-income families moved. Among them, nearly 14% moved because they wanted a new home or better housing, while about 10% were looking for more affordable living arrangements.
HireAHelper stated that, for various reasons, middle-income families are flocking to Florida: among the top ten metropolitan areas with the highest increase in middle-class population, five are located in the Sunshine State. Among them, Port St. Lucie saw the fastest growth in middle-class residents, reaching up to 88%.
It is worth noting that Florida has a thriving economy, ranking 5th in CNBC’s 2024 list of the best states for business.
Here are the top ten metropolitan areas with the highest net increase in middle-income residents in 2023, along with their percentage increase:
Port St. Lucie, Florida: 88%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida: 79%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida: 64%
Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida: 61%
Stockton-Lodi, California: 56%
North Point-Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida: 38%
Fort Collins, Colorado: 32%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina: 17%
Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pennsylvania: 12%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas: 9%
Due to Florida’s lack of state income tax and lower cost of living compared to other coastal states, it may be particularly attractive to the American middle class.
According to estimates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator, a single adult without children would need to earn around $46,000 annually to live comfortably in Port St. Lucie. This figure is significantly below the median annual income of $59,400 for American workers reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024.
Florida is also often considered a top destination for retirees, and Port St. Lucie may be particularly appealing to older Americans. Census Bureau data shows that over one-fifth of the local residents are aged 65 and older.