This Is the No. 1 U.S. City People Want to Move to in 2025

A small Tennessee city just grabbed a major title, and honestly, it may not surprise people who’ve spent time there.

Johnson City was recently named the most desired place to move to in the United States for 2025, according to a new report from MoveBuddha. That put it ahead of places like Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Summerville, South Carolina.

Not bad for a city with around 100,000 people.

Why Johnson City Is Getting So Much Attention

So what’s pulling people in?

For starters, Johnson City gives residents a mix that’s getting harder to find. You’ve got mountain views, outdoor adventures, a college-town feel, and a lower cost of living than many bigger cities.

That combination matters right now.

A lot of Americans are looking for places where they can actually afford a home without giving up quality of life. Johnson City checks a lot of those boxes.

The city sits in East Tennessee, about an hour from Asheville, North Carolina. That means quick access to hiking trails, camping spots, lakes, and mountain biking routes. If you enjoy being outside, there’s always something nearby.

And unlike some fast-growing cities, Johnson City still feels manageable. Traffic isn’t overwhelming. People tend to know their neighbors. You can still find local restaurants and coffee shops that don’t feel copied from somewhere else.

The Report Looked At Real Moving Searches

MoveBuddha based the rankings on searches from its Moving Cost Calculator between July 2024 and March 2025.

The company tracked where people planned to move during 2025. So while not every search becomes an actual move, it gives a pretty strong look at where Americans are dreaming about living next.

Johnson City came out on top.

That says a lot about how people’s priorities are changing.

For years, bigger cities dominated these conversations. Now? More people seem interested in smaller communities with access to nature and more affordable housing.

Honestly, can you blame them?

Affordability Is A Huge Factor

One of the biggest takeaways from the report was how important affordability has become.

MoveBuddha noted that more than half of the top 50 cities on the list had average home prices below the national average.

Johnson City stood out because it offers lower housing costs while still giving residents access to jobs, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community.

That balance is tough to find.

Cities like Huntsville, Alabama, and Fairbanks, Alaska, also ranked well for similar reasons. But Johnson City managed to pull ahead of everyone else.

Smaller Cities Are Having A Moment

The report also showed that many Americans are leaning toward smaller cities instead of crowded metro areas.

Places with hiking, fishing, mountains, and open space are seeing more interest than ever. Johnson City fits right into that trend.

There’s also the college-town energy from East Tennessee State University, which helps keep the city active without making it feel overwhelming.

You get concerts, restaurants, breweries, and community events, but things still move at a slower pace than major urban areas.

For a lot of people, that sounds pretty appealing right now.

Tennessee Keeps Showing Up On Moving Lists

Tennessee has been popping up on relocation reports quite a bit lately.

Part of that comes from the lack of state income tax. But people are also drawn to the state’s mix of outdoor activities, music culture, and relatively affordable living compared to places like California or the Northeast.

Johnson City may not get as much national attention as Nashville or Knoxville, but this ranking could change that pretty quickly.

And if more people keep discovering it, don’t be surprised if East Tennessee becomes even more competitive in the next few years.