Americans have gone through a period of mass migration over the past year and a half. These migrations have a pattern, and some states have become more popular than others, based on the recently released United Van Lines’ 45th Annual National Movers Study. The state the most people are moving to is Vermont. (These are 25 cities Americans are flocking to.)
One of the reasons for the recent mass migration is the multi-decade low mortgage rates, although that is about to change. Many people also grew tired of living in huge metropolitan areas, particularly on the East and West coasts, which are characterized by expensive real estate and otherwise high costs of living. Many inland cities have not only lower real estate prices, but also better quality of life.
The other trigger for this migration is that people can work from home because companies have shuttered their offices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some companies have chosen to make these arrangements permanent. The upshot is that people have become free to move around the country.
United Van Lines’ research is based on households that the company moved in 2021. The study looked at how many of these moves were inbound and outbound by state. The states most people are moving to is where inbound moves outnumbered outbound moves by the largest margin.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the study to find the 20 states with the highest percentage of inbound moves in 2021. (This is the state where retirees are most likely to move.)
The study confirms the migration trends some other research has shown. Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, remarked on the figure, “This new data from United Van Lines is indicative of COVID-19’s impact on domestic migration patterns, with 2021 bringing an acceleration of moves to smaller, midsized towns and cities.”
Notably, of the top 10 states with the most inbound versus outbound moves, six are among the least densely-populated states and include Vermont, South Dakota, West Virginia, Alabama, Oregon, and Idaho.
Click here to see the state most people are moving to
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
20. Arkansas
> Pct. of moves inbound: 53%
> Total moves to or from Arkansas: 1,537
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
19. Georgia
> Pct. of moves inbound: 54%
> Total moves to or from Georgia: 8,861
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. New Hampshire
> Pct. of moves inbound: 54%
> Total moves to or from New Hampshire: 1,047
Source: KingWu / E+ via Getty Images
17. Arizona
> Pct. of moves inbound: 54%
> Total moves to or from Arizona: 7,540
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
16. Texas
> Pct. of moves inbound: 54%
> Total moves to or from Texas: 22,715
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
15. Utah
> Pct. of moves inbound: 55%
> Total moves to or from Utah: 2,516
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
14. New Mexico
> Pct. of moves inbound: 56%
> Total moves to or from New Mexico: 2,276
24/7 Wall St.
13. Maine
> Pct. of moves inbound: 58%
> Total moves to or from Maine: 1,376
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
12. North Carolina
> Pct. of moves inbound: 59%
> Total moves to or from North Carolina: 10,318
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
11. Delaware
> Pct. of moves inbound: 59%
> Total moves to or from Delaware: 718
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
10. Rhode Island
> Pct. of moves inbound: 59%
> Total moves to or from Rhode Island: 892
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
9. Idaho
> Pct. of moves inbound: 60%
> Total moves to or from Idaho: 1,623
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
8. Oregon
> Pct. of moves inbound: 61%
> Total moves to or from Oregon: 3,370
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Tennessee
> Pct. of moves inbound: 62%
> Total moves to or from Tennessee: 6,004
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
6. Alabama
> Pct. of moves inbound: 62%
> Total moves to or from Alabama: 2,726
Source: Rocky89 / E+ via Getty Images
5. Florida
> Pct. of moves inbound: 62%
> Total moves to or from Florida: 21,179
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
4. West Virginia
> Pct. of moves inbound: 63%
> Total moves to or from West Virginia: 451
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
3. South Carolina
> Pct. of moves inbound: 63%
> Total moves to or from South Carolina: 5,508
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
2. South Dakota
> Pct. of moves inbound: 69%
> Total moves to or from South Dakota: 446
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
1. Vermont
> Pct. of moves inbound: 74%
> Total moves to or from Vermont: 413
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
