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What State Are People Moving To

Posted in Moving Tips & Tricks on January 27, 2023

Every year, millions of Americans relocate to a new state or city. If you’re considering a move, it pays to know which states are growing and which ones are shrinking. So, what state are people moving to? To help you make an informed decision about where to relocate, we’ve put together a guide on the most popular states for 2023. Keep reading to learn more!

In the United States, the most popular state to move to is Texas. After Lone Star State, folks are relocating to Florida and North Carolina the most. These three states account for about half of all moves in the US each year. The most important reasons for relocating are the cost of living, job opportunities, climate, and quality of life. Of course, it all depends on individual preferences, and there are numerous other factors that make people transfer to one of these three states.

What State Are People Moving To – Check Current State-To-State Migration Trends

Migration to states with lower taxes, warmer climates, and growing job markets, such as Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, is a trend that many people follow. However, with the coronavirus outbreak, the relocation trend is changing because other factors are now included. For example, remote work has led to increased migration to rural and suburban areas, as well as smaller cities with lower costs of living.

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That’s how analysis of recent data on the most popular states to move to shows that people are booking professional cross-country moving services for relocation to:

  • Texas – Texas has a strong economy, low taxes, and a growing population, making it an attractive destination for many people.
  • North Carolina – With its mix of coastal and mountainous regions, North Carolina offers a diverse range of lifestyles and is attracting many people with its lower cost of living compared to other states on the East Coast.
  • Florida – With its warm weather, lower taxes, and growing job market, Florida continues to be a popular destination for people moving from other states.

People are relocating across the country more than ever, which is not surprising. Recent occurrences, many of which were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, have given rise to new difficulties and opportunities. Many people decided to leave their familiar surroundings or seize the chance to explore new possibilities, even though it was their first time relocating.

A family preparing for long-distance movers
Want to move? Consider some of the top destinations Americans are relocating to

Comparison of Current Trends to Historical Migration Patterns

Historically, US migration patterns have been shaped by factors such as economic opportunities, political and social change, and natural disasters. In the 20th century, for example, many people moved from rural areas to cities for work and a better standard of living. In more recent decades, there has been a trend of people relocating from the Midwest and Northeast to the South and West in search of warmer climates and lower taxes.

Today, current migration patterns in the US are being influenced by several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of remote work. As a result, there has been an increase in out-migration from high-tax, high-cost states like California, New York, and Illinois, and an influx of people to states with lower taxes, warmer climates, and growing job markets, such as Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. Remote work has also led to increased migration to rural and suburban areas, as well as smaller cities with lower costs of living.

In comparison to historical migration patterns, today’s trends are notable for the increased role of remote work in driving migration decisions, as well as the continued importance of tax and climate factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these trends, as many people have been able to work from anywhere and have taken advantage of the opportunity to move to lower-cost areas. Nevertheless, the fundamental drivers of migration, such as economic opportunity and a better quality of life, remain as important as ever.

A woman checking current migration patterns before booking cross-country moving services
More folks are relocating to rural areas nowadays

Factors That Influence State-To-State Migration

What state are most people moving to and why? If you’re planning to relocate, you have a lot of things to consider, but surely, the most important thing to know is where you should move. State-to-state migration in the US is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Job opportunities

Economic growth and job availability are major drivers of migration, as people move to areas with higher employment rates and better earning potential.

Cost of living

High taxes, housing costs, and the overall cost of living in certain states can push people to relocate to areas with lower costs.

Climate

The weather and climate of a state can be a major factor in people’s decision to relocate, especially for those seeking warmer climates.

Quality of life

Factors such as crime rates, access to healthcare, and recreational opportunities can all influence a person’s decision to transfer to a particular state.

Family and social ties

People may relocate to be closer to family and friends or to be part of a community with shared cultural or political values.

Remote work

The surge of remote work opportunities has given people more flexibility to transfer to areas with lower costs of living and a better quality of life.

Political climate

Some people may relocate to escape political or social climates that they find unfriendly or to be part of a community that aligns with their values.

Ultimately, the factors that influence state-to-state migration can vary greatly depending on an individual’s specific needs and preferences. Nevertheless, economic opportunities and a better quality of life remain two of the most important drivers of migration in the US.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on State-To-State Migration

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on which states people are moving to. The pandemic has accelerated existing trends in housing and migration, and it has also created new trends. Besides remote work, the pandemic has increased the frequency of long-distance moves as people take advantage of the opportunity to move to areas that are more suitable for remote work and a better quality of life.

As you can see, the COVID-19 outbreak had a lot to do with changing people’s minds when it comes to hiring long distance movers. For example, many are looking for professional assistance (whether it’s packing service or reliable car shipping) for urban-to-rural migration, and we at Cross Country Movers can attest to that. With remote work becoming more prevalent due to the pandemic, many people are choosing to move from cities to rural areas in search of more space and a lower cost of living.

However, people used to move even before the coronavirus struck. The number of permanent address change requests increased by 3.3% to over 10.2 million between 2019 and 2020, according to United States Postal Service data on address-change requests. Similar outcomes were observed in 2021, with only a minor volume decrease from 2020. According to USPS data, a lot of people are relocating to less crowded and warmer regions nowadays.

A village in the countryside
Urban-to-rural migration has become a trend after the coronavirus outbreak

Texas Is the Top One Destination People Are Relocating To

While people have been relocating all over the country, it’s easy to see why most moved to the state of Texas – it’s an increasingly popular choice due to its thriving job market and low cost of living in Austin and other cities in the state. It also offers a variety of climates, from subtropical in the south to semi-arid in the west and northwest.

According to the USPS, Texas saw an overall increase of roughly 12,700 residents in 2021. It becomes clear why Americans are eager to establish lives here when you check the following:

  • 0% personal income tax,
  • 0% corporate income tax,
  • 25% combined sales tax rate.

The cost of living is lower in Texas than in other states, making it an attractive option for those looking to stretch their budgets further.

City in Texas Cost of living (the national average is 100)
Austin 101
San Antonio 91
Dallas 103
Houston 94

Texas Has Been Ranked as the Greatest State for Doing Business

Did you know that Lone Star State has been the best place for business for the past 17 years? In fact, Texas’s population will increase by over five million people by the end of this decade as more businesses relocate their operations there. That’s how Apple, Tesla, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Amazon, and many other companies’ headquarters are situated here.

North Carolina Is an Appealing Place for Out-Of-Staters

The tax climate is one of the causes of this influx. Last year, the state cut both income and corporate tax rates, and there are plans to reduce them further, as well. According to the Tax Foundation, the individual flat income tax rate decreased from 5.25% to 4.99% as of January 1, 2022.

If this sounds appealing, you better start preparing for a move with some of the best interstate tips. Moving across the country to North Carolina, however, will require a bit more than just packing tips. You might have a bigger problem deciding which city to call home since Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington County were the most popular destinations for out-of-staters.

North Carolina Is Known for Its Thriving Education System

North Carolina is known for having a strong and thriving education system. With colleges, universities, and community colleges around the state, North Carolina offers educational opportunities to those of all ages. The University of North Carolina System has many different campuses throughout the state, providing students with access to top-quality education. There are also several elementary and secondary schools within the state, all of which strive to provide a quality education for students.

Raleigh, North Carolina
North Carolina gained additional 9,000 residents in 2021

Florida Is Suitable Both for Retirement and Young Families

The state, which has long been favored by retirees, now has a new group of supporters. The Northerners looking for relief in Florida really aren’t motivated by the cold (although, maybe they are to some extent) but rather by a desire to establish roots. Florida is considered an ideal place for retirement, but it’s also popular among young families moving with kids looking for a good quality of life. The state offers miles of beaches and plenty of outdoor activities, along with a consistently warm climate year-round.

Long-Distance Moving to a Place With Many Tax Incentives Available

Florida has cheap fees, taxes, and restrictions, which allow the typical American to buy property at much more affordable rates. So, if you’re tired of renting an apartment and ready to settle down on your own property, you should definitely consider making the Sunshine State your new home.

In the North, states like Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey are just a handful that are losing citizens to Florida. Additionally, the income of these residents is lost. Massachusetts, for example, lost $20 billion in taxable revenue over the past 20 years, mostly to Florida. It’s because:

  • Corporate income tax is 5.5%,
  • There is no personal income tax,
  • There is no inheritance, estate, or gift tax.

In addition to generating billions of dollars in money, Florida is also becoming more influential politically, similar to Texas. The state added a new congressional seat as a result of the recent inflow of inbound relocations.

A view of Miami, Florida
Florida has no personal income tax

States People Move Out of the Most

During the epidemic, large numbers of people left California in search of less expensive locations. Coastal cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., had the largest exodus. After all, just consider the enormous cost of living in San Francisco or any of these cities compared to other cities in Texas, for example.

Based on recent data, the states that people are moving out of the most in the US include:

States Reasons why people leave the state
New York High taxes and cost of living
California High housing costs, traffic, and a high cost of living
Illinois High taxes and a weak economy
New Jersey High taxes and a cost of living
Connecticut High taxes and a cost of living

What States Are People Moving To – Be Sure You Make the Best Decision

Where are most people moving to? The right answer to this question surely can help you on so many different levels if you’re planning to relocate as well. After all, moving cross country is a stressful process, and picking the right place to call home is crucial. So, you must be sure that the chosen state fits your needs perfectly.

Texas, North Carolina, and Florida are some of the most popular destinations, but before deciding on where you want to live, do your research and find out what each state has to offer. Once you’re ready to move, reach out to us, and we’ll gladly help you prepare for the road ahead.

Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.

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