10 States Americans Are Leaving Quickly and 5 States They Are Moving To
Relocating to a different city or state is an American rite of passage that many people embark on for various reasons. Some move for work, some move closer to family, and others move to improve their quality of life.
In 2023, some states saw a dramatic increase in their population, while others had scores of residents fleeing for the hills. It’s interesting to see which states Americans are leaving and moving to, and their reasons why.
Moving Out
These are 10 of the states many people are leaving.
1. Alaska
The Last Frontier is a low-taxation state – no income, sales, or property taxes for individuals – and has the country’s lowest motor fuel tax. You would think that would make it an ideal place for people wanting to keep more money in their pockets.
There are several problems plaguing the state that drive the population exodus, including housing and childcare shortages, a lack of state support for K-12 public schools and universities, and people seeking a better quality of life.
2. California
It may be the state where celebrities hone their craft and the legendary Los Angeles Lakers thrill sports fans, but ordinary folks can’t get out of California fast enough. It’s a beautiful state with a strong diversity in its people, culture, food, and climate, but it’s hard to stay afloat there unless you have a sizable income.
California is notoriously expensive to live in and lacks affordable housing. The increased frequency and severity of natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes, droughts, and wildfires also make it difficult to stay there. Many ex-Californians move to states like Texas for lower taxes and greater job opportunities.
3. Illinois
It’s automatically assumed that anyone moving from Illinois does so because of the crime rate in cities like Chicago. In reality, there are numerous other reasons for leaving the state for greener pastures, some related to quality of life.
The most cited reasons were jobs, retirement, family, lifestyle, health, and cost of living. This is also aligned with the trend of people from heavily populated states with higher costs of living relocating to states with few people and a lower cost of living.
4. Kansas
Seeing how it’s in the heart of the Midwest, you would think Kansas would see an increase in population, but to the contrary, more Kansans are picking up stakes and leaving. The reasons for the migration are mostly economic.
The culprit in the case of citizens moving from Kansas is the tax code that’s viewed as unfavorable to businesses and individuals alike. They’re understandably leaving for states with a lower tax burden, which keeps more money in their pockets.
5. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a highly educated population thanks to institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Boston College. However, more people are leaving the state than are moving in, a trend that has been evident since 2013.
Outmigration hit peak levels during the pandemic when remote work became an option for many office workers. They realized they could keep their same salaries while working remotely elsewhere, preferably in places with a lower cost of living.
6. Michigan
Once the home of the big three automakers, Michigan has hit hard times as more automobile production lines are outsourced to other nations. The hunt for good-paying jobs is one of several reasons why Michiganders are leaving the state.
The ongoing water crisis in Flint only exacerbates the flight from the state. Wanting to be closer to family and retiring from work are some of the more conventional reasons for moving. Surprisingly, in 2023, former Michigan residents relocated to every state except Vermont.
7. New Jersey
Many people ridicule New Jersey for not being as worldly as New York City and Philadelphia, so it’s an easy state to dunk on. Despite all the jokes, a survey in early 2024 found that 48 percent of New Jersey residents wanted to leave the state.
The high cost of living is the prevailing factor driving residents from the state. However, it’s not low-income residents who are leaving. Those inclined to move have annual incomes of at least $100,000. Garden Staters wanting to leave cited property taxes, the economy, and the high cost of living.
8. New York
It’s no secret that New York is one of the most expensive states to live in. It’s a place with many opportunities, and New York City is the epicenter of the world, but the high cost of living throughout the state is causing people to move to places with a lower cost of living.
Other factors driving New Yorkers from the state are the warmer climate and taxes found in other states. New York winters are notoriously cold, especially upstate, and can be a lot to deal with. Taxes in New York are among the highest in the country, and New Yorkers are looking to move to places with more favorable tax codes.
9. North Dakota
North Dakota is an outlier among states with a higher out migration rate. While people are leaving the state for places with warmer weather and lower taxes, like Texas, they are moving into North Dakota from other parts of the country, including neighboring states.
Many new residents are moving to North Dakota from South Dakota, Minnesota, California, and Texas. The state offers lower income taxes and a more affordable cost of living. The tradeoff is the unbelievably brutal winters.
10. Wyoming
Wyoming isn’t exactly a highly populated state. The U.S. Census Bureau designated it the least populated state, with 576,851 residents. A drop in population will be felt in a place with so few people already living there.
The reasons for the migration out of Wyoming are familiar ones:
- Moving closer to relatives.
- Retiring from the workforce.
- Remote working opportunities expanded during the pandemic.
- Housing prices.
The cold weather may also play a part in the decision to leave.
Moving In
Here are five states people are moving into. Some may surprise you as you go down this list.
1. Arkansas
It should come as no surprise people are moving to the southern state of Arkansas. Not only is the weather pleasant most of the year, but it’s home to several major companies from the Fortune 500 list, including Walmart, Dillards, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services.
The presence of these industry titans is a massive draw for jobseekers and workers transferring into new roles within their existing companies. The lower tax rates and cheaper cost of living also attract residents from other states.
2. Rhode Island
New England’s smallest state is experiencing a renaissance with people moving into it. It may seem unusual that people would move to a state in the Northeast instead of the South, but the migration to Rhode Island follows a pattern of people relocating to upper East Coast states.
While adults from all age demographics are moving from state to state, it seems that a particular subset of the population is moving to Rhode Island: people aged 55 and older and those with an income of $150,000 and higher.
3. South Carolina
South Carolina is one of the Southern states that’s seeing its population increase, and it’s easy to understand why. The state’s economy is booming, with more companies moving there and workers following them for new job opportunities.
Other reasons for the move to South Carolina include decent housing prices, lower taxes, moderate winter temperatures, and a better quality of life. The kindness of South Carolinians and amazing food are bonuses when moving there.
4. Vermont
The flood of people moving to Vermont continues the trend of Americans relocating to the Northeast part of the country. Transplants are moving to areas that are less dense population-wise and away from congested urban areas.
A survey found that the majority of Americans moving to Vermont did so because they wanted to live closer to their families and for a lifestyle change. Affordable housing is a persistent problem in the state, which makes it a surprise destination.
5. Washington, D.C.
It’s technically not a state, but Washington, D.C., has seen a large number of people move there after its population dropped during the pandemic. A significant number of citizens from other countries have made D.C. their new home.
While the downtown area of D.C. struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, other sections of the city are thriving because they’re seen as livable, with ample green spaces and distinct neighborhoods.
10 Housing Markets Plummeting and 5 Areas Housing is Rising in the USA
Hooray! Several housing markets are falling from their pedestal to semi-affordable ranges, at least more affordable than in the past few years. This fluctuating market points to lower demand and higher house production. Overproduction of houses takes up extra land and property in an area, which may aggravate residents, though cost-efficient housing options are a bonus.
10 Housing Markets Plummeting and 5 Areas Housing is Rising in the USA
Voted the Best: 16 Top Cities to Live in the USA
Are you in the market for a new home? Are you curious about your options but unsure where to start looking? We’ve selected the best places to live in the USA based on several factors. Crime rate, affordability, weather, job opportunities, and beauty all contribute to these cities’ high quality of life.
Voted the Best: 16 Top Cities to Live in the USA
11 Things to Do in Zion National Park While Exploring
If you’ve stumbled across this post, it likely means you are planning a trip to Zion National Park this summer. Am I right? Are you wondering where to start? Keep reading to find out! Zion is the #1 national park in southwestern Utah and one of the most visited national parks in the US. There are plenty of incredible things to see and do for both first-time visitors and returning explorers. Whether you’re exploring the Zion Valley floor, hiking one of the 35 scenic trails, or glamping under the stars, Zion is a truly magical place.
