Whether people are fleeing the ridiculous cost of living or upgrading from their mother’s couch, one thing is for certain; for financial, social, and personal reasons, people are moving from one state to another. As the country continues to evolve, mass migrations are happening at an alarming rate. The big question is, why are people moving, where are they leaving and which states are they heading to? Today we answer those questions as we take a deep dive into the states that are topping the charts as the most popular destinations, and the ones that are saying goodbye to their inhabitants.
New York (Leaving)
It turns out that this concrete jungle is killing dreams and pushing people out of it. Once a popular state, many people are beginning to leave the state, complaining about overcrowding and urban sprawling. This has made it an unpopular state for people wishing to settle down with their family or go into retirement. New York is also an expensive state to live in, and many people have migrated to the area to live in states that are more pocket-friendly.
Terabass, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Texas (Headed to)
Many people are saddling up and choosing to ride over to Texas for its greener pastures. It boasts some of the lowest taxes in the country and the affordable cost of living makes it worth running to. The political environment is also every conservative’s fairy tale, with its policies and laws catering to the more moderate of Americans. Did I mention that the weather in Texas is also glorious? Put simply, it's the perfect state for those who want to work and play.
Roschetzky Photography, Shutterstock
New Jersey( Leaving)
The location of famous shows and movies like Jersey Shore and The Sopranos is not a popular location for the middle class. The property taxes in New Jersey are extremely high, making it an unattractive location for retirees and people looking to buy family homes. After all, everyone is trying to save every dollar in today’s economy, not spend it. Overcrowding and over-regulation are also problems that people are not looking to have. For these reasons and many others, people are leaving for greener pastures.
Florida (Headed to)
Florida is the new kid on the block, with everyone rushing to the state with the best beaches and weather. The Sunshine State is made even more irresistible by the fact that it does not have a state income tax. That’s a big win. Famous cities like Miami and Tampa are its biggest selling points for people who are looking for vibrant nightlife and fun!
Miosotis Jade, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
California(Leaving)
During COVID-19, California lost over 101 thousand households to states like Texas and Florida. The polarized political environment within the state has made it off-putting to more conservative and moderate households leading to their exodus. Outside of the common reasons like rising housing costs and taxes, its weather has also driven people elsewhere. The frequent wildfires and other disasters, such as droughts and earthquakes, have also made it an unsafe state to stay in for many people.
South Carolina (Headed to)
The state is known for its Southern hospitality and charm. As a state free from income tax, it is bound to draw in professionals and the majority of the working class looking for a break from hefty prices and taxes. Its warm climate has also made it a noteworthy retirement home destination.
Illinois (Leaving)
Nobody wants to live in a state that they cannot work in, and that is why people are beginning to leave Illinois in search of work opportunities. Don’t take my word for it, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois' unemployment rate is the third-worst in the U.S. as of June 2024, jumping to 5%. This translates to approximately 328 thousand Illinoisans looking for work. Is it really a surprise then that people are leaving? The tax rate has also been a big push factor for many people choosing to leave. Its super cold winters and ridiculously hot summers are a cause for concern for people who like their temperatures right in the middle.
North Carolina (Headed to)
Both the North and South have made it to this side of the list! With the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Outer Banks, North Carolina's natural landscape has made an attractive space for earth lovers and peace seekers alike. The development of its economy has made it lucrative for investors and job seekers, with many moving over to these green pastures.
Pennsylvania (Leaving)
Although the state hosts popular universities like UPenn and Penn State, there has been a spike in migration from the state. The major culprit, COVID-19, took out the job market, leaving people to move in search of employment opportunities. The cost of living in cities like Philadelphia has also pushed middle-class people out of the state, leaving only those who can afford high property taxes to settle down.
Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Georgia (Headed to)
The home of the Georgia peach has also become the home for many new migrants! Atlanta’s attractive natural conditions and its inviting climate have made it the state to be in. Its beauty and its culture are inviting to many lovers of life, art, and history. Its affordable cost of living and great university opportunities are a plus, too!
Massachusetts (Leaving)
Massachusetts is the state with one of the highest costs of living in America. The living expenses of an average household are way above many people’s salaries, and housing taxes are off the charts. The cost of education and some of its policies make it unbearable for many families who flee to more stable states to set up bases.
Tennessee (Headed to)
The home of country music is calling all to its homey state. Nashville is a popular destination for all those moving to make it big in the music business and pursue their dreams. On the economic side, it is a growing state that is calling many seeking opportunities to it. We cannot forget the Southern charm that the Southerners are well known for; it is enough to keep coming back and staying!
Washington (Leaving)
The home of the White House and Capitol Building has not been receiving a lot of love from its inhabitants lately. The traffic concerns and heavy congestion make commute times ridiculously long and drive away impatient people and road ragers. Like many of the states in this category, high housing costs and living expenses are also a push for migration. All these factors make the state a high-stress environment and make quieter states more attractive.
Nevada (Headed to)
While Vegas does not seem like a city you would wish to live in, there is a lot about this state that has been making it a hotspot for migrants. Yes, there is the entertainment and the crazy nightlife, but Nevada also boasts peaceful cities that are perfect for those looking to settle down. From its casinos to its beautiful lakes, Nevada is a state that has something for everybody.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Flickr
Colorado (Leaving)
Colorado’s political climate has made it highly unattractive as a state and pushed many conservatives out of the picture. Homebuyers have also left the chat due to crazy real-estate prices and property taxes. Its public education system has also declined, making it an unattractive option for the middle class.
Maine (Headed to)
With a name that sounds like a city in Italy, Maine is bound to be a migrant destination. The state is adventure heaven and has many spaces that are perfect for outdoor activities. It is an underrated state with a growing economy, and anyone seeking opportunity must grab it while it is still a hidden gem.
Indiana (Leaving)
The salaries in Indiana have made it difficult for anyone wanting to make an honest living to survive. Over twelve thousand families have been forced to leave the state in search of better opportunities for sustenance. The retirement income is also not very rewarding for senior citizens, and its tax situation does not help its case.
Idaho (Headed to)
Idaho’s low cost of living and zero-income tax policy have made it an attractive place with people leaving states like California and New Jersey to set up shop here. Its job market has also grown in the past couple of years, with special improvements being seen in its healthcare and technology sectors. Its charming and humble aesthetic also makes it the perfect space for those seeking the white picket fence style of life.
Michigan (Leaving)
Michigan is known for its culturally rich jazz music and passionate sports fans, but despite these attractions, it has been losing a lot of its fanfare. The impact of climate change on the Great Lakes Region has pushed people out of the state with complaints of changes in weather conditions. The crime rates in cities like Detroit do not help Michigan’s case, and more family-oriented people have chosen to leave for safer states.
Oregon (Headed to)
Oregon, being an eco-friendly state makes it the perfect home for nature lovers. Famous cities within it like Portland boast beautiful mountains and forests, scenic landscapes, and breathtaking coastlines. The opportunities for hiking and biking are endless, making it the place to reside for people who are adventure junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. If that fits your description, then you will be right at home here. The state’s technology and healthcare industries are a hotspot for tech nerds and young professionals, too, making it the perfect location for young families.
Steven Pavlov, Wikimedia Commons
Arizona (Leaving)
The flaming temperatures of the Grand Canyon are sucking the life out of its inhabitants and it is tough to watch. The rising costs of living and housing are pushing people out of the state towards cooler pastures, because, well, who doesn’t want to have a decent living? In addition to all this is the water crisis, which is a further disadvantage for most families. The search for greener pastures in employment has also pushed more people to states like Idaho and Nevada that offer more attractive options for job opportunities. Basically, Arizona has it tough.
Luca Galuzzi, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Montana (Headed to)
Another nature lover’s heaven, Montana's breathtaking scenery is what makes it the perfect space for most Americans. Those who are looking to slow down the pace of their lives and take in beautiful views will find that Montana is the place to settle down. The state gives the perfect rural experience with that off-the-grid feel. As more people transition to remote work and social anxiety rises, Montana will soon be the New York of rural America.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Flickr
Louisiana (Leaving)
Louisiana is known for jazz and delicious jambalaya, but music and food are not enough to keep this state’s inhabitants at home. The decline in the state’s standards has led to issues with poverty and crime, and its education system, making residents seek greener pastures. The effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 have had long-lasting effects, and the state has not been able to get back on its feet since then. Many of its inhabitants have given up on the state and moved on to better states like Wisconsin with its amazing food scene and added benefits
Oklahoma (Headed to)
Oklahoma's Southern hospitality is known countrywide, and all those looking for the feel of home are making their way there. The cost of living in the state is very low and the taxes and expenses are easy on the pocket. It also boasts many heritage sites and museums making it one of the more grounded of the states. With its new and upcoming economy, Oklahoma is really the state to be in.
James Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico (Leaving)
The explosion of Spanish and Mexican culture has made this state a beautiful mix of diversity and heritage. Who would want to leave a place so richly dipped in beautiful people, food, and music? Well, unfortunately, this has not been enough for most people, and its issues have driven people out. The ridiculously high crime rates have made many Americans flee the state in fear plus the declining healthcare and education systems have made it difficult for families to justify choosing to stay here, especially when most are in search of stability and safety.
Wisconsin (Headed to)
The food scene in Wisconsin is strong enough to draw in many migrants looking to indulge in its famous offerings, and we’re sure that you’d be no exception. It also boasts a beautiful nature scene, pulling in outdoor lovers, too. Its strong agriculture and manufacturing economy, plus its excellent educational system make it a perfect fit for young families and professionals.
Maryland (Leaving)
Like New York and California, the high taxes and higher cost of living in Maryland have made it an undesirable place to live, for many Americans. Its closeness to Washington DC has made it inherit its traffic problems and the complaints are being heard loud and clear. To add to all this, its struggles with crime and education are an added hit, and people are leaving the state just as quickly as they are leaving states like New York, New Jersey, and DC.
eutrophication&hypoxia, Flickr
North Dakota (Headed to)
This underrated state is taking over the migration game and pulling people into its territory. Outdoor lovers will adore it for its offers of hiking opportunities. The cost of living is low, and its friendly communities make it a space for families wanting community. The state is also a good place for upcoming technology initiatives due to its energy supply. Its economy is fast growing, and soon it will likely be as popular as Texas. It is one of the places you want to keep a secret before people latch on it!
Ohio (Leaving)
The drug pandemic in Ohio has pushed all those seeking addiction-free lives for themselves and their children very far from the state. The opioid problem in the state has reached astonishing heights with reports of drug overdoses being rampant. That doesn’t create a homely feel, now, does it? Many other young professionals have also left the state for better opportunities, making it suffer from an aging population problem. It also doesn’t help that the state’s education policy is disappointing and has cause for concern.
Kentucky (Headed to)
The home of the best fried chicken in the country is becoming the home for many newcomers! Its farms and beautiful landscape give it the rural feel that makes it ideal for retirees and those looking for peace. On the side of economics, its low taxes and growing economy make it the perfect place to grow in wealth and to relax. Like all the other states in the South, Kentucky has that Southern pull that does not let go of you. What can we say, southern hospitality is top tier!
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