States Americans Are Fleeing And The Places They’re Flocking To

California

There are a lot of things to love about California, but it is not very welcoming to those who can’t afford the high cost of living. Many are realizing that it is not worth the money to stay there.

This has been an ongoing problem for years. Movers are also leaving to be in closer proximity to their families. Andrew T. shared a post on Quora that reports that overcrowding is a big issue in the state. “Housing prices are sky high. There’s too little housing and too many people — and too many regulations on the building of new housing. Traffic is insane, even in non-major cities.”

Connecticut

With an outbound moves percentage of 60.1%, many are overwhelmed by the high tax rates and exorbitant housing prices. Many who leave the state are older than 55. Even though it is not common, retirement income gets taxed in Connecticut, which is why many are leaving for retirement reasons.

Another problem is the high property rate taxes as well as the terrible weather conditions. “Winters are long, cold, and usually quite snowy. Nighttime starts at 4:00 or so in the afternoon in the depths of winter. Go to work with your headlights on, and come home with them on again,” says resident David Dill shared on Quora.

New York

During the COVID-19 pandemic, inhabitants of New York City fled tight, overcrowded apartments in favor of more spacious, greener surroundings. The most common reason for people leaving New York last year was to be closer to their families, followed by retirement. It is costly to live in New York, which is why many retirees decide to relocate. Many are also leaving to states with no state income tax or where housing is more inexpensive.

“Most of New York State’s population can be found in the New York City area and, frankly, there’s no more room … The other population centers in New York are suffering from a combination of urban sprawl and a hollow industrial base. Buffalo, for example, has been losing population since 1950 and the growth of the metro area hasn’t kept pace,” Steven Haddock shared on Quora.

Illinois

Illinois has large open spaces unlike New York, but still has a staggering 67.2% of outbound moves. Many leave to be with their families, and others leave for better job opportunities. The state is short on job prospects, and resignations hit an all-time high in August of last year during the Great Resignation. High crime rates, high taxes, and high housing prices are all reasons why people are leaving for greener pastures.

Others claim that the climate is also a deterrent. “I just can’t deal with winter or the humidity very well anymore. It used to only be the winter, but as I get older the humidity affects me more and more. We have 11 years until retirement and then we are moving to a cheaper, more temperate area,” says Sloth_grl on Reddit.

New Jersey

For the fourth year in a row, New Jersey has the unfortunate luck of having the greatest percentage of outbound moves at 70.5%. Most leave due to retirement and many are deterred by the high property taxes.  “It’s overpopulated, over-regulated, and overtaxed. People also tend to hate it because almost every approach to the state drops you right in the middle of an industrial wasteland, and if you drive through it you only see the massively crowded highways,” user emperorko shared on Reddit.

These are the states where people are leaving, but where are they going? Continue reading to learn about the most popular states for people to relocate to.

Georgia

There is much more to Georgia than fresh fruit and delicious sweet tea. It has both beautiful scenery and reasonable housing prices. This is reflected in its 53.5% inbound moves rate. Many move to Georgia for their families and the attractive property taxes. This is appealing to many who are looking to buy a property.

The weather can be quite unpredictable at times, but Georgia is the perfect place for those who prefer sunny conditions. Reddit user thesouthdotcom wrote, “If you hate the cold, you’ll love it here. Lots of people complain about the humidity, but if you live here long enough, it’ll grow on you. I personally refer to it as the warm blanket.”

New Hampshire

The low crime and poverty rates make New Hampshire the ideal place for Americans to move to. Many sources claim that the state is the perfect place to start a family in. People who are interested in lifestyle changes, or have a desire to live a higher quality of life flock to New Hampshire.

“New Hampshire is green, clean, and has abundant natural scenery, including a nice coast, forests, mountains, and beautiful lakes,” says Carol Francis on Quora, but she also wrote, “Unless you’re a professional in a high-demand industry or run a profitable business, there just aren’t many employment opportunities.”

Arizona

Even though Arizona has extremely hot weather, many people are making the big move to the Grand Canyon. Many move to enjoy their retirement in peace and others move due to being tired of the cold weather of other states.

Social Security benefits aren’t taxed, and property taxes are low compared to other states. Arizona is also noted for its gorgeous scenery, moderate winters, and pleasant weather. Resident Gil Flores posted the following on Quora, “Arizona is a wonderland of diverse, interesting outdoor environments. On the same day, you could go from snow skiing to water skiing. Arizona has a massive amount of federal, state, and municipal parks, preserving our natural wonders, and allowing everyone to enjoy the diverse, scenic beauty of this state.”

Texas

With Texas’s low cost of living and prosperous job market, it is no surprise that the state has a percentage of 54.4% of inbound moves. Nearly 90% of native Texans still reside in the state according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The same study also indicated that about 3,800 more people move into Texas than leave – every single week.

It’s important to bear in mind that property taxes, as well as home insurance, is pretty pricey if you’re looking for a new home. The heat can also get quite unbearable, texasforeveryall wrote, “The weather gets really hot and it’s not very seasonal. This can be a blessing or a curse. You have to be cautious of flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes depending on your location.”

Utah

Many Americans are flocking to Utah due to the low cost of living and up-and-coming housing market. What’s ironic is that most people move to, and leave Utah for the same reason – jobs. The state’s IT economy, dubbed “Silicon Slopes,” is expanding and generating billions of dollars annually.

“There are jobs, they pay pretty well, cost of living is lowish, and you can access [nature and mountains] on any weekday before or after work. We live well compared to large expensive cities where everyone works 60 hours a week to barely get by and has no escape from the grind,” writes one Redditor.

New Mexico

New Mexico is a somewhat tax-friendly state for seniors, partially taxing Social Security and other kinds of retirement income while still having one of the lowest property tax rates in the country. Some people also promote the state because of its picturesque beauty. New Mexico’s gorgeous terrain draws a large number of new residents

“If you’re retired and healthy and like to walk, it’s great. Price of living is probably cheaper, you have access to culture, parks, and whatever it is that retired people do,” says WesternTumbleweeds on Reddit.

Maine

Who wouldn’t want to live in this coastal region known for its pristine beaches, lobster shacks, and lush greenery? With inbound moves around 57.9%, it is clear that Maine is the place to be for lifestyle changes. However, living in Maine means you’ll be highly taxed on your land, and food will be more expensive.

“Maine is a quiet place, but I like being able to live in a place where I can go to the woods and be away from everyone for a while, or go down to the coast and watch the boats,” S. Marcotte on Quora writes, but then adds, “the economy sucks, we have a big issue with poverty.”

North Carolina

North Carolina boasts a moderate climate and low property taxes, which is mainly why so many Americans are moving there. Last year, the main reason for movers entering North Carolina was to be closer to family. However, according to WRAL.com, Durham County reported a significant increase in employment resignations last year, which one commissioner blamed on fatigue.

“The weather is usually fairly pleasant, it is not yet too overcrowded, the crime rate is not too high and most people mind their own business … Both beaches and mountains are reasonably close and there are sports events, concerts and other activities available,” writes resident Leonard Roberts on Quora.

Delaware

Retirement was the main reason people shifted into Delaware in 2021, with those aged 65 or older making up over half of the inbound population. Younger people, on the other hand, complain that there isn’t much to do in terms of entertainment and career prospects.

“Delaware is very small so everyone is like two or three degrees of separation away. It can be a little cliquey, but for the most part people will be willing to make new friends,” Redditor VicVinegar-Bodyguard posted.

District of Columbia

While the cost of living is high, the job market is booming, and you can enjoy higher salaries, according to the US Census Bureau. According to Redditor Gumburcules, Washington, D.C. outperforms other major cities.

“It’s so much quieter and more relaxed than NY. It’s much more compact and convenient than LA. The weather is miles better than Chicago, and you’re not stuck in the middle of the country, which makes travel and weekend getaways a million times better.”

Rhode Island

Nearly 36% of individuals moving to Rhode Island indicated the work opportunities motivated them to do so. Remote employment is a top lifestyle change for the movers. However, it is also one of the most expensive states to live in, with half of all inbound movers earning $150,000 or more.

“It’s basically the Shire in LOTR, everyone knows everyone, people are generally friendly with each other but distrusting of strangers, and generally the people that live here never leave or want to leave,” draqsko, a Redditor, says.

Idaho

There’s more to Idaho than its agricultural market; its IT job market, in particular, has been booming. Idaho’s low cost of living and availability of outdoor recreational options may appeal to Americans looking for a more economical lifestyle and more open landscapes.

“There’s a lot of positives especially if you’re the outdoors type. Huge swaths of wilderness in the state, desert in the south with more mountainous terrain, and forests in the central and northern parts of the state. Even in Boise (where traffic can get ‘bad’), an hour of driving will get you into the wilderness,” Reddit user stormy370 shared.

Oregon

Alabama

Alabama residents have extremely low property taxes and it reflects in the state’s inbound moves percentage, which is at 62.1%. People moved to and from Alabama due to the state’s job economy, however. The state’s median household income is lower than the national average, despite its low unemployment rate.

“Travel is easy and cheap in one of the most ecologically diverse states, meaning there is a ton to see and do in nature without spending much. Lots of diverse small/medium cities to visit … Alabama is also a sick hub for great weekend trips. Nashville, New Orleans, and Atlanta are all reasons to go on a Friday after work and enjoy the weekend,” says jsm2008 on Reddit.

Florida

Whether you’re visiting the local beaches and theme parks or seeking the perfect place to retire, Florida has something for everyone. The state’s superb climate and recreational activities, as well as its tax-friendly status, attract retirees. However, AdrianArmbruster on Reddit says Florida isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

“It’s definitely not going to be all vaporwave aesthetics and Miami Beach sunsets all the time. Definitely don’t go expecting that. The primary industry of tourism both raises prices and depresses wages. Anyone thinking of coming here with a penny to their name may want to keep that in mind.”

West Virginia

Nearly half of those who came to the Mountain State said jobs were their primary motivation, but 72 percent said they left for the same reason. A declining coal industry has left West Virginia with one of the highest poverty rates in the country.

However, Redditor OMothmanWhereArtThou says, “The cost of living in West Virginia is really low and it has so much natural beauty. If you’re an outdoorsy person, you can find a lot to get into. If you’re a fan of living near very few people, that can be easily achieved in WV.”

South Carolina

South Carolina is known for its mild weather, pleasant locals, and recreational attractions such as Myrtle Beach and the salt marshes. South Carolina is famed for its golf courses, beaches, and historical sites, but it’s also a tax haven for retirees.

“There are plenty of gorgeous towns around Beaufort, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston. I would even say that Charleston is perhaps the most underrated city in the U.S. I don’t think you can find that sort of wonderful, unique, and well-preserved southern British colonial architecture anywhere else in the U.S.,” writes TheWalkingKing on Reddit.

South Dakota

Those moving to South Dakota were mostly motivated by a desire to be closer to family. The state offers a lower-than-average cost of living, as well as no income tax and low sales taxes.

“Sioux Falls is consistently rated one of the best places in the U.S. to live. It’s got a gorgeous parks system and a lively local music scene. As to the rural parts of the state, it’s incredibly beautiful, basically the lyrics to ‘America the Beautiful’: beautiful, spacious skies; amber waves of grain; purple mountains majestically rising above a fruited plain,” writes nemo_sum on Reddit.

Vermont

Vermont ranks No. 1 for the most inbound moves in 2021, despite being one of the least populated states in the nation, with the percentage being 74.3%. Although the state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, it is also believed to be highly expensive to establish a business there, making it unsuitable for starting a business.

“It’s a really outdoorsy state. People are all about being outside, hiking, kayaking, biking, skiing. No matter where you live here, it is beautiful. The seasons are fun, it’s almost always a pretty drive, and the air is clean (seriously underrated feature of VT, how good the air smells),” Redditor luxorange shared.