The pandemic opened up the floodgates of interstate mobility, which reached an all-time-high in 2022. That has meant an influx for certain states and an exodus from others. A study from StorageCafe.com explored what states people are leaving and where they’re going.
So, where do Americans want to live right now — and why? Approximately 32 U.S. states saw more people move in from other states than moved out last year, while 18 states — and Washington, DC — lost residents in this way, according to analysis of the newly-released census data. The study has also broken down the data by generations and examined the potential gains stemming from swapping one state for another, including factors such as income, unemployment and home prices in both the origin and destination states.
Among the top findings:
- The states Americans are moving to: The balmy southeastern states swelled with newcomers, continuing a longstanding pattern. Nine of the top 10 states for net migration are located in the Southern US, with Florida registering the largest net gain of residents. Connecticut — the only outlier in the top ten — again reversed a long-time trend of losing residents to other states before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The states Americans are ditching: Historically popular locations in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Maryland had significantly more outbound moves than inbound.
- Trends among states gaining residents have some common factors: Affordability concerns and the promise of employment stability are evidently influencing the relocation choices of many Americans. As people struggle to find affordable housing in the major cities that have historically been the most desirable places to live in, they are traveling farther to states where housing costs are more manageable, job opportunities are flourishing and the overall quality of life is compelling.
- From a generational standpoint, millennials are the age group most on the move, and they favor the South. Texas, in particular, saw a net influx of over 75,000 millennials in 2022, making it the top choice for young professionals, followed by Georgia. Interestingly enough, Florida, which is used to hitting the high notes with older generations, is also a top choice for 24-39 year-olds, ranking third in the US for millennial preferences.
- Gen Zers, the youngest generation currently entering the housing market, are close behind millennials as the second-most mobile generation in the US. However, Gen Zers appear to have strikingly different preferences when it comes to the states they’re moving to. Recognized for their remote-friendly environments, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., stand out with their impressive average incomes — $91K for DC and $67K for Connecticut — and are also strongly drawing in Gen Zers. Along with other popular states like North Carolina and Texas, Utah, North Dakota and Alabama are also magnets for the iGeneration.
The top ten states with the highest net migration were:
- Florida
- Texas
- North Carolina
- Arizona
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- Connecticut
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
Do you believe Gen-Z’s migration choices might shape the future landscape of interstate mobility?
Please find the full analysis of the latest census data and insights in this report, which aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of interstate mobility: https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/state-to-state-moving-trends/.
