America’s moving map is being redrawn in real time—and a handful of ZIP codes are turning into unexpected migration hotspots that everyone’s suddenly talking about.
But here’s where it gets interesting: some of the most in-demand neighborhoods aren’t the big cities you might expect, but fast-growing suburbs and emerging communities that are quietly exploding with new residents.
Arizona’s hottest ZIP codes in 2025
As people continue to relocate across the United States in 2025, certain ZIP codes are clearly emerging as magnets for new arrivals, and Arizona is right at the center of this trend. The 10 hottest ZIP codes in the state are drawing attention for how quickly they’re growing and how strongly they’re competing with other popular destinations nationwide.
According to the November 2025 edition of The Hottest ZIP Codes Report from MovingPlace, which analyzes October’s migration data, these rankings show which areas are pulling in the most newcomers—both in raw numbers and in proportion to the people already living there. In other words, it doesn’t just show where people are moving; it shows where they’re moving the fastest relative to local population size.
From booming Sunbelt suburbs to revitalized city neighborhoods, the data highlights how migration is reshaping communities and which ZIP codes are seeing the sharpest jumps in activity from one month to the next. This kind of snapshot helps anyone—from families to investors—understand the forces currently driving U.S. residential mobility.
Extra context and related news
Arizona’s story fits into a larger pattern of strong housing demand in key markets. For example, Phoenix’s housing market has once again outpaced national trends in 2025, underscoring how desirable the region has become for both buyers and renters.
For readers who follow real estate, relocation, or demographic shifts, reports like this are often paired with newsletters and industry updates offering deeper dives into housing, migration, and investment opportunities. These kinds of resources can be especially valuable if you want to spot rising neighborhoods before they fully hit the mainstream.
What is the “Hottest ZIP Codes in America” report?
MovingPlace positions itself as a leading authority on U.S. residential migration, drawing on millions of verified move records every year to track where people are going and how communities are changing. Because the company has access to detailed data on moves across the country, it can identify emerging patterns that might not yet be obvious on the ground.
The rankings rely on proprietary data from Porch Group, which logs key details such as origin and destination ZIP codes for millions of residential moves annually. This large and granular dataset makes it possible to capture current, real-world population shifts rather than relying on older, lagging indicators.
The Hottest ZIP Codes in America is published every month and shines a spotlight on the ZIP codes experiencing the most notable moving activity. The November 2025 edition focuses specifically on moves completed in October 2025, allowing the report to show which areas Americans were most eager to move into during that period.
How “hotness” is measured
A ZIP code’s “hotness” isn’t just a vague label—it’s measured using three clear metrics that approach demand from different angles. This helps distinguish places that are small but intense migration magnets from those that are simply large and attract a lot of people overall.
The three core criteria are:
- Move volume per capita: This measures how many moves into a ZIP code occur per 1,000 residents, highlighting places where the rate of incoming moves is especially high relative to local population size.
- Total move volume: This is the raw count of moves into a ZIP code, regardless of how big or small its population is, and is particularly useful for identifying major hubs of migration.
- Biggest month-over-month increases: This metric captures which ZIP codes are seeing the steepest spikes in activity compared with the previous month, signaling rapidly accelerating interest.
This multi-angle approach allows the report to surface both up-and-coming hotspots and established heavyweights in the moving landscape. And this is the part most people miss: a small town can look “hotter” than a big city on a per-capita basis, even if the total number of newcomers is smaller.
Arizona’s 10 hottest ZIP codes for new residents
When looking at the U.S. as a whole, migration patterns vary widely by state, region, and local economy. For the November 2025 report, MovingPlace examined October move data to identify the single hottest ZIP code in each state based on moves per capita, then zoomed in on where new residents are clustering within Arizona.
The results highlight where fresh arrivals are concentrating, revealing broader regional trends, fast-growing local communities, and the Arizona ZIP codes most in demand among movers. In some cases, the hot spots are urban neighborhoods seeing strong growth in new developments; in others, quieter suburban or semi-rural areas are suddenly drawing waves of new residents.
Here are the 10 hottest ZIP codes in Arizona for attracting newcomers, along with their populations, moves per capita, and state rankings:
- 85387 – Surprise, AZ: Population 19,140; 8.46 moves per 1,000 residents; #1 in Arizona.
- 85054 – Phoenix, AZ: Population 10,159; 7.48 moves per 1,000 residents; #2 in Arizona.
- 85085 – Phoenix, AZ: Population 30,132; 5.68 moves per 1,000 residents; #3 in Arizona.
- 85701 – Tucson, AZ: Population 5,169; 5.22 moves per 1,000 residents; #4 in Arizona.
- 85123 – Arizona City, AZ: Population 8,828; 4.98 moves per 1,000 residents; #5 in Arizona.
- 85004 – Phoenix, AZ: Population 11,178; 4.83 moves per 1,000 residents; #6 in Arizona.
- 86327 – Dewey, AZ: Population 12,081; 4.72 moves per 1,000 residents; #7 in Arizona.
- 85003 – Phoenix, AZ: Population 10,155; 4.53 moves per 1,000 residents; #8 in Arizona.
- 85614 – Green Valley, AZ: Population 24,696; 4.49 moves per 1,000 residents; #9 in Arizona.
- 85374 – Surprise, AZ: Population 40,955; 4.44 moves per 1,000 residents; #10 in Arizona.
Notice how certain cities, like Phoenix and Surprise, appear multiple times on the list, suggesting concentrated pockets of rapid growth rather than a uniform spread across the metro area. That raises an interesting question: are specific neighborhoods becoming winners while others stagnate, even within the same city?
Looking at total move volume nationwide
Another way to think about “hotness” is to focus on total move volume rather than moves per capita. This lens is especially helpful for spotting ZIP codes that may not have the highest move intensity relative to their population but do host very large numbers of newcomers in absolute terms.
Where per-capita figures highlight intensity, total volume highlights scale. ZIP codes with high total move volume often act as major migration gateways, playing an outsized role in regional population shifts, business growth, and infrastructure demand.
For October alone, MovingPlace analyzed 961,650 moves across the country and identified the ZIP codes with the highest total move counts. Below are the 10 ZIP codes that stood out for sheer volume of new residents.
#1: 20002 – Washington, DC (370 total moves)
The top ZIP code in the U.S. by total move count is 20002 in Washington, DC, which attracted 370 new residents in October. A surge in rental construction in recent years has likely made the area especially appealing, adding fresh housing options for renters and relocating professionals.
This ZIP code is close to central Washington and includes destinations such as the H Street Corridor, which is known for its lively mix of bars, restaurants, arts spaces, and nightlife. On top of that, residents typically enjoy a commute of around 30 minutes, striking a balance between urban convenience and livable daily routines.
#2: 78130 – New Braunfels, Texas (354 total moves)
In second place is ZIP code 78130 in New Braunfels, Texas, which saw 354 adults move in during October. Situated between San Antonio and Austin, the area gives residents access to two major job markets while often offering more affordable housing compared with the core metro areas.
Homes in this ZIP code have a median sale price of about $319,000, reflecting a 1.2% increase over the past year. New Braunfels was also the third fastest-growing city in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020, with its population expanding by 56.4% over that decade—and it has maintained strong momentum, holding onto its earlier ranking as the second hottest ZIP code for total moves in the first half of 2025.
#3: 78641 – Leander, Texas (330 total moves)
The ZIP code 78641, covering Leander, Texas, north of Austin, recorded 330 new residents in October, making it the third highest ZIP code in the nation by total move volume. Located along Route 183 and served by the Capital MetroRail, Leander offers suburban living with relatively easy commuting access to Austin.
Leander’s appeal includes highly rated schools, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities such as Lake Travis, Balcones Canyonlands, and Devine Lake Park, as well as ongoing redevelopment projects. Interestingly, Leander ranked 4th in the previous report focusing on total moves in the first half of 2025, so its climb to 3rd suggests its popularity is still rising.
#4: 77433 – Cypress, Texas (319 total moves)
Texas continues to dominate these rankings, and ZIP code 77433 in Cypress is a strong example, with 319 new residents arriving in October. Located on the outskirts of Houston, Cypress moved up six positions in the rankings between September and October, jumping from 10th place to 4th.
The area also experienced a striking 121.53% increase in new arrivals over just one month, underscoring how rapidly demand can accelerate in certain suburban markets. Earlier in 2025, Cypress actually held the top spot as the hottest ZIP code in America by total moves for the first half of the year—so some might argue it’s still underrated even now.
#5: 75071 – McKinney, Texas (298 total moves)
ZIP code 75071 in McKinney, Texas, north of Dallas, ranks fifth with 298 new residents moving in during October. From September to October, McKinney saw a 51.27% rise in newcomers, showing strong short-term momentum.
Despite that growth, its ranking slipped from 3rd to 5th place over the same period, suggesting other ZIP codes are growing even faster. McKinney remains highly attractive to young families thanks to features like safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and abundant green spaces—and in the previous Hottest ZIP Codes report, it ranked 8th, so its presence in the top five now still marks a significant jump.
#6: 32256 – Jacksonville, Florida (294 total moves)
On the East Coast, ZIP code 32256 in Jacksonville, Florida, welcomed 294 new residents in October. Housing prices in this area are rising quickly, with a median sale price of around $388,000, representing a 21.3% year-over-year increase.
Even with those climbing prices, the ZIP code remains compelling for movers because of its strong job market across industries such as logistics, healthcare, technology, and finance. Additionally, it offers convenient access to central Jacksonville, which is a major plus for commuters and city-lovers alike.
#7: 77493 – Katy, Texas (281 total moves)
The final Texas ZIP code in the top 10 is 77493 in Katy, located west of Houston. Katy saw its number of new residents rise from 208 in September to 281 in October, a 35.1% increase month over month.
Interestingly, despite this increase in newcomers, Katy’s overall rank fell from 2nd place last month to 7th place this month, showing how fiercely competitive the top of the list has become. Katy is particularly appealing to families thanks to its well-regarded Katy Independent School District (KISD) and its friendly suburban atmosphere—features that routinely draw repeat interest from homebuyers.
#8: 85142 – Queen Creek, Arizona (278 total moves)
Reinforcing the appeal of Southern and Sunbelt states, ZIP code 85142 in Queen Creek, Arizona, southeast of Phoenix, welcomed 278 new residents in the past month. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the population in this area has more than doubled over the last year, reaching roughly 84,000 residents.
Queen Creek’s popularity is tied closely to its relative affordability compared with nearby Phoenix. Many movers are drawn to its larger homes, bigger lots, and thoughtfully planned communities that offer more space and amenities for the price, making it a prime choice for families and remote workers alike.
#9: 98052 – Redmond, Washington (278 total moves)
Redmond, Washington—best known as a major tech hub—also appears on the list, with ZIP code 98052 recording 278 new residents over the last month. Located just outside Seattle, Redmond is home to major employers like Microsoft and Nintendo of America, with additional tech offices for companies such as Amazon and IBM.
This concentration of high-paying jobs is reflected in the local housing market: the median home price sits around $1.3 million, and the median household income is about $164,848, roughly 1.5 times higher than that of the surrounding metro area. For some, this combination signals opportunity and prosperity; for others, it raises tough questions about affordability and inequality.
#10: 28269 – Charlotte, North Carolina (273 total moves)
Rounding out the national top 10 is ZIP code 28269 in Charlotte, North Carolina, which saw 273 new residents arrive in October. One of its main draws is more affordable housing compared with central Charlotte, as properties in 28269 often cost less per square foot than homes in Uptown or the South Charlotte neighborhoods.
The ZIP code is also conveniently located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), attracting both students and university staff. On top of that, access to shopping destinations like Northlake Mall and nearby amenities adds to its everyday appeal.
Now the big question: is this good or bad?
Here’s where things can definitely get controversial: are these “hot” ZIP codes a sign of healthy opportunity and growth, or do they signal future problems like overcrowding, rising costs, and displacement of long-time residents? Some people see booming migration as a vote of confidence in a community; others worry it’s the first step toward pricing locals out.
What do you think—do reports like this help people make smarter decisions about where to live and invest, or do they risk accelerating gentrification and speculative buying in already stressed markets? Are you excited to see your ZIP code on a list like this, or would you rather your neighborhood stayed off the radar? Share your thoughts—agree, disagree, or challenge the data—in the comments and join the conversation.
