Top Metro Areas Seeing the Biggest Return-to-Office Migration

Remember when your biggest commute was from your bed to your makeshift desk (aka the kitchen table)? Well, dust off those office shoes and iron that business casual, because the great return-to-office migration is officially in full swing! Some cities in particular have cubicles calling our names a bit louder.

At BMS Moving & Storage, we’ve been helping folks relocate for over 75 years, but these days we’re noticing that people aren’t just moving for the weather anymore. They’re chasing those corner offices and water cooler conversations.

Let’s dive into which metro areas are seeing the biggest return-to-office migration.

1. Austin, Texas: The Lone Star Leader

Barton Springs.

Y’all ready for this? Austin is absolutely crushing the return-to-office game with occupancy rates hitting a whopping 68.1% in June 2025! That’s right, nearly 7 out of 10 office workers in Austin are back to battling for the good parking spots. Maybe it’s the breakfast tacos calling them back, or perhaps it’s the fact that Austin’s tech scene is hotter than a Texas summer. Either way, if you’re planning a move to Austin, better pack your laptop bag alongside those moving boxes!

2. Chicago, Illinois: The Windy City Wins

The Midwest is making moves! Chicago has blown past expectations, with office occupancy rates soaring above 55%. Turns out, people actually missed those Lake Michigan views from their office windows (who knew?). The city that gave us deep-dish pizza is now serving up serious career opportunities, and workers are eating it up faster than you can say, “Hold the anchovies.”

3. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: Everything’s Bigger in Texas

Another Texas triumph. The DFW metroplex is experiencing such massive growth that it’s become one of the nation’s top destinations for both new residents and returning office workers. With companies expanding their footprints faster than a cowboy at a line dance, Dallas is proving that sometimes you really can have it all: great weather, no state income tax, AND a thriving office culture.

4. New York City: The Comeback Kid

Plot twist! After losing nearly 277,000 residents during the pandemic, NYC is staging the ultimate comeback story. The Big Apple added over 213,000 people between 2023 and 2024, making it the nation’s largest-gaining metro area. Sure, office occupancy is still finding its feet at around 51%, but hey, Rome wasn’t rebuilt in a day (and neither is Manhattan’s coffee shop economy).

5. Washington, D.C.: Federal Workers Unite!

Cherry blossom season in D.C.

Our nation’s capital is seeing a surge in office returns, especially with new federal policies encouraging government workers back to their desks. D.C. recently hit record-high office utilization rates, proving that even bureaucrats missed their ergonomic chairs and endless meetings. Plus, someone’s got to keep all those food trucks in business!

Looking for affordable, reliable moving in D.C.? Contact us today.

6. Houston, Texas: Space City Takes Off

Houston, we have… people in offices! With occupancy rates consistently above 50%, Houston is proving that its economy is as robust as its NASA connections. The energy sector is energized, and workers are flowing back like oil through a pipeline.

7. Phoenix, Arizona: Rising from the Work-From-Home Ashes

Despite those 108-degree summers (it’s a dry heat, remember?), Phoenix is seeing impressive growth with nearly 85,000 new residents in just one year. Apparently, people are willing to trade their home AC for office AC if it means being part of this desert boom town.

Trying to decide between Phoenix and Tucson? Check out our in-depth blog to see which fits your style best.

8. San Diego, California: The Sunshine Surge

America’s Finest City is finally getting its moment in the return-to-office spotlight! While not traditionally known as a corporate hub like its northern neighbor, LA, San Diego is quietly becoming a magnet for professionals in SoCal who want their career advancement served with a side of perfect weather and fish tacos.

The biotech and defense sectors are booming, and with office occupancy climbing steadily, it turns out people actually do want to commute when it means trading a home office view for glimpses of the Pacific. Plus, with remote work still prevalent in many San Diego companies, you’re more likely to score that hybrid sweet spot: enough office time to build your career, enough beach time to keep your sanity. If you’re considering the move to San Diego, just remember “business casual” might include flip-flops, and nobody’s judging.

A cityscape during the day.

What’s Driving This Office Odyssey?

The Three C’s: Collaboration, Culture, and… Cafeteria Food? Okay, maybe not the cafeteria food, but companies are pulling out all the stops to make offices irresistible:

Swanky Spaces: Those Class A+ buildings with yoga studios and kombucha on tap? They’re seeing occupancy rates of over 90% on peak days!
Hybrid Happiness: Most companies are keeping it flexible with 3-day office weeks. Tuesday is the new Thursday (for being in the office, anyway).
Career FOMO: Turns out, Zoom promotions aren’t as satisfying as the real deal.

Moving for Your Career? We’ve Got Your Back(pack)!

Whether you’re relocating to San Diego for that dream job or heading to Washington, D.C. for a finance gig that actually requires pants, BMS Moving & Storage is here to make your transition smoother than your morning commute (hopefully).

Pro Moving Tips for the Office-Bound:

Scout Your Commute: Before you sign that lease, do a test run during rush hour. Trust us on this one.
Pack Smart: Those work clothes you haven’t worn in three years? Maybe leave them behind.
Embrace the Change: Moving for work is exciting! You’re not just changing your address; you’re advancing your career.

Ready, Set, Relocate

The return-to-office movement is creating a whole new wave of relocations as workers follow opportunities to these booming metro areas. While remote work isn’t going anywhere (praise be to casual Fridays every day), the pendulum is swinging back toward in-person collaboration, at least for part of the week.

Whether you’re team “can’t wait to get back” or team “dragging my feet,” one thing’s for sure: if you’re making a move to join the office migration, you’ll want the smoothest transition possible. That’s where we come in!

Ready to join the great return-to-office migration? Contact BMS Moving & Storage at (877) 638-1265 for a free quote. We’ll handle the heavy lifting while you focus on picking out your new favorite lunch spot near the office.

Home is where the heart is, but sometimes the office is where the opportunities are!