States Moving Out: Top 5 Exodus
Understanding America’s Migration Patterns
States moving out refers to the trend of significant population outflows from certain U.S. states. Residents are relocating to other regions, driven by economic factors, lifestyle preferences, and housing affordability.
Quick Answer: The Top States People Are Leaving
Based on 2023-2024 data, these states are experiencing the largest population outflows:
| State | Primary Reasons for Leaving |
|---|---|
| California | High housing costs, taxes, cost of living |
| New York | Expensive housing, high taxes, job changes |
| Illinois | High cost of living, tax rates, employment opportunities |
| New Jersey | High taxes, cost of living, housing expenses |
| Pennsylvania | Job losses, weather, seeking lower costs |
In 2023, over 7.5 million Americans moved to a different state. The reasons are clear: housing costs, job opportunities, and proximity to family are the top three motivators.
The landscape of American migration has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic. While the initial remote-work boom has cooled, today’s movers are more strategic, carefully weighing economic factors against quality of life. For families in the Seattle area considering a move, understanding these patterns is key to making an informed decision. While some states see residents leave, others offer remarkable growth and new opportunities.
Why Americans Are Relocating: The Driving Forces
What makes someone start fresh in a new state? It’s rarely one thing, but a combination of factors. Americans are searching for a better quality of life, driven by the desire for affordable housing costs, better job opportunities, and specific lifestyle preferences like warmer weather or living near family.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends, normalizing remote work and freeing people from expensive cities. While some companies have called workers back, the fundamental drivers for moving remain. If you’re considering a move, understanding these forces is the first step. Learn how our residential moving services can help.
The Economic Equation: Housing and Cost of Living
Money is a major factor. Housing affordability is a breaking point for many families, with the median home price jumping from $313,000 in 2019 to $426,800 by early 2024, and mortgage rates near 7%. This is clear in the states moving out statistics. California lost over 101,000 households in 2021, and New York lost over 75,000, with high housing costs leading the charge. States with a lower cost of living and affordable housing are becoming magnets for those seeking financial relief and the dream of homeownership. We understand these pressures and can help you with practicalities like managing utilities when moving out of state to keep costs down.
The Career Compass: Remote Work and Job Growth
The pandemic changed where we wanted to work. Remote work flexibility allowed people to keep high salaries while moving to more affordable locations, causing the number of digital nomads to surge to 17.3 million by 2023. While major cities saw an outflow, states with growing tech sectors and emerging job markets attracted both remote workers and companies. Traditional job opportunities in fields like healthcare and technology also continue to pull people toward states with strong economic growth. If you’re moving your business between states, we can help steer that complex process.
The Lifestyle Ledger: Taxes, Climate, and Family
Beyond salary, state income tax policies are a huge influence. Eight states have no personal income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming), making them magnets for high earners and retirees. Conversely, high-tax states like Minnesota and New Jersey consistently see residents leave. As the Heritage Foundation bluntly puts it: if you tax them, they will leave.
Climate preferences also drive millions to warmer weather destinations in the Sun Belt. But perhaps the most powerful motivator is proximity to family. In 2021, over half of those leaving California and New York did so to be closer to loved ones. These lifestyle factors combine in different ways for everyone. Whatever your reasons, they’re validand if you’re moving with pets, we can help with handling pet relocation for cross-country moves to ensure a smooth transition for them, too.
The Top States Gaining New Residents
While some states are seeing an exodus, others are booming. These destination states are drawing Americans in droves by offering a compelling mix of opportunity and lifestyle. In 2023, the South was the nation’s favorite destination, with Texas, Florida, and North Carolina leading the pack in population gains.
Sun Belt Hotspots: Texas & Florida
These two powerhouses consistently top the list of where Americans are moving.
Texas was the 2023 champion of population growth, adding nearly half a million people. Its robust economy, diverse job market, and lack of personal income tax make it a magnet for newcomers, especially from California. Major metro areas like Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are thriving. If you’re considering a move, planning your move between states is crucial for a smooth transition.
Florida continues to attract residents with its famous climate, beaches, and outdoor recreation. The Sunshine State welcomed over 122,000 new residents in 2023, drawn not just by the lifestyle but also by booming healthcare and technology sectors. While long favored by retirees for its warm weather and no state income tax, Florida is now attracting young professionals and families seeking both career growth and quality of life.
The Carolinas and the Southeast
The Southeast has become one of America’s most popular destinations, with states that have found the sweet spot between affordability, natural beauty, and economic opportunity.
South Carolina has become a hot destination, with a cost of living 11.5% below the national average and growing tech and healthcare sectors. North Carolina gained over 106,000 residents in 2023, thanks to its diverse economy and lower cost of living. Tennessee offers a compelling package of no income tax, stunning scenery, and a rich culture, drawing families from across the country. Finally, Georgia‘s robust job market, particularly in Atlanta, makes it an attractive landing spot for those seeking big-city opportunities with a more manageable price tag.
These southeastern states prove you don’t have to sacrifice career prospects for affordability. To make your move seamless, be sure to organize your long-distance move well in advance.
An Exodus Explained: Top States Moving Out Of
On the other side of the migration story, certain states are consistently experiencing a significant states moving out trend. Residents are leaving in search of better opportunities and more affordable lives. In 2023, California, New York, and Illinois saw the largest net migration losses, representing hundreds of thousands of families making the difficult decision to relocate.
High-Cost States People Are Moving Out Of
Some states have become victims of their own success, with prosperity driving costs to unsustainable levels.
California leads the nation in population loss, with over 690,502 residents leaving in 2023. The reasons are consistent: sky-high housing costs, high taxes, and an overall cost of living that has pushed many families out. Most are heading to Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. Our essential out-of-state-moving-checklist can help you prepare for such a move.
New York tells a similar story, losing 121,000 people to interstate migration in 2024. The combination of soaring living costs and layered taxation has proven too much for many, especially as remote work offered an escape. The state is now the fastest shrinking in America, with former residents flocking to Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
New Jersey also sees significant outflows, with 70.5% of its moves in 2021 being outbound. High taxes and a steep cost of living are the primary culprits, especially for retirees seeking to make their fixed incomes stretch further.
Midwest and Northeast States People Are Moving Out Of
The exodus extends beyond the coasts. Several Midwest and Northeast states are watching their populations decline due to a mix of economic challenges, harsh weather, and changing life circumstances.
Illinois has been a top outbound state for 10 consecutive years, with residents fleeing its slow-growing economy and high taxes. Pennsylvania has struggled with a slow recovery from pandemic-related job losses. Even states with strong sectors like Massachusetts and our home state of Washington are losing residents to the high cost of living and the flexibility of remote work.
Other states like Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota face similar pressures. Residents are leaving in search of better employment, more affordable housing, lower taxes, and milder weather. For seniors making these transitions, our specialized senior-moving-packing services can ease the process.
The common thread is clear: economic pressures are making daily life difficult, and people are realizing that better options exist elsewhere.
Future Outlook: Long-Term Migration Trends and Impacts
The movement of Americans across state lines is reshaping our nation, from where economic hubs emerge to how congressional seats are distributed. These patterns of states moving out and others gaining residents will have long-term consequences.
Generational Moves and Demographic Shifts
Different generations move for different reasons. Millennials are increasingly drawn to “second cities” like Cambridge, MA, and Seattle, WA, which offer career opportunities without the crushing costs of the largest metros. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers continue their migration toward warmer climates and lower tax burdens, changing the demographics of Southern states and fueling the growth of retirement communities in Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas. If you’re navigating a family move, our guide on moving with teenagers out of state can help manage the challenges.
The Future of State-to-State Migration
Interestingly, Americans are moving less than they used to. Household mobility hit an all-time low in 2024. Skyrocketing homeownership costs and high mortgage rates have “locked in” many homeowners, while return-to-office mandates have reduced geographic freedom.
Even so, domestic migration is becoming more important to U.S. population dynamics. With slower birth rates and immigration, the movement between states plays a larger role in which communities grow or shrink. This has substantial political implications. States gaining residents—primarily in the South and West like Texas and Florida—are projected to gain congressional seats after the 2030 census, while states like New York and California are set to lose them. The Electoral College balance is gradually shifting, redistributing political power. For anyone planning a move, preparation is key. Our cross-country-relocation-preparation-steps guide can help you steer the complexities.
Frequently Asked Questions about State-to-State Moves
What is the most common reason people move to another state?
The top reasons are consistently job-related, financial, and personal. The three biggest motivators are:
- Job Opportunities: About a third of movers relocate for employment.
- Housing Costs: The search for more affordable housing and a lower cost of living is a primary driver.
- Proximity to Family: Roughly 32% of movers relocate to be closer to loved ones and their support system.
Which state is losing the most residents?
California consistently loses the most residents to net migration. In 2023, over 690,000 people moved out of the Golden State. New York and Illinois also rank high on the list of states with the largest population outflows. In all three cases, the primary reasons are the same: sky-high housing costs, heavy tax burdens, and an unsustainable cost of living for many families.
How do I start planning an out-of-state move?
An interstate move feels overwhelming, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable.
- Research your destination. Look into the job market, cost of living, schools, and community to ensure it’s the right fit.
- Create a budget. Account for moving costs and have a financial cushion for your first few months.
- Declutter. Don’t pay to move items you no longer need. Selling or donating belongings saves money and effort.
- Hire professional movers who specialize in long-distance relocations. At First Due Movers, we bring firefighter values of trust and integrity to every job, handling the logistics so you can focus on your new beginning.
- Make a timeline. Map out key dates for giving notice, transferring utilities, updating your address, and other critical tasks.
Conclusion: Making Your Move with Confidence
The story of states moving out and others gaining residents is about people searching for better lives. Whether driven by the pull of lower taxes in Texas, warmer weather in Florida, or the simple desire to be closer to family, these moves represent hope and new beginnings.
We’ve seen that economic factors like housing affordability and job opportunities are powerful motivators. But beyond the statistics, moving to a new state is a deeply personal journey that takes courage.
At First Due Movers, we get it. Our team, founded by firefighters, brings the values of trust, integrity, and commitment to every move. We know that behind every box is a life, filled with memories and dreams for the future.
Whether you’re leaving a high-cost state or are simply ready for a change, you don’t have to do it alone. The decision to move is one of the biggest you’ll make. We’re here to ensure the moving part is the easiest part of your transition.
Ready to take the next step? Let us help simplify your relocation with our state-to-state moving services and turn your moving day into the start of an exciting new chapter.