Treating the Southeast as one market leads to mistakes, so it helps to see the differences. Georgia’s activity centers on Atlanta, a corporate headquarters city and major air hub with strong logistics and professional services employers. North Carolina combines Charlotte, one of the country’s largest banking centers, with the Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, known for life sciences, technology and universities. Florida spreads across several distinct metros, including Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, each with its own industries and housing market.

The region has been a net destination for many movers. We looked at one example of that trend in Florida gains residents, and our look at where people are moving most in the U.S. puts the broader pattern in context.