Between April 2020 and July 2022, Texas’ population grew by more than 884,000, the largest net increase of any state. Boasting 367 miles of open Gulf coastline, several major cities, low taxes, and generally mild winters, Texas is a magnet for new residents – drawing in nearly 591,400 Americans from across the country in 2021 alone.
These numbers do not tell the full story, however. Even as Americans are flocking to the Lone Star State and starting families there, many are also moving out. According to government data, over 447,000 Texans packed up and moved to a different part of the country in 2021 – the fourth largest outbound migration of any state.
Every state and Washington D.C. added a number of ex-Texans to their population in 2021 – but some places drew in far more than others. (Here is a look at the best states to live in.)
Using data on state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states the most people from Texas are moving to. The 50 places on this list – Washington D.C. and every state except Texas – are ranked by the number of residents in 2021 who lived in Texas in 2020. For each state and Washington D.C., we also reviewed net population change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 with data from U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program.
Explanations for why so many people left Texas in 2021 are varied and often personal. But according to a study conducted by moving company United Van Lines, the largest share of Texan outbound moves – 43.4% – were for job-related reasons.
The 2021 annual unemployment rate in Texas was 5.7%, higher than the 5.3% national rate that year. The top five destination states for outbound Texans were California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma. These states alone took in over 30% of Texans who moved out in 2021. With the exception of California, each had a stronger job market, as measured by the unemployment rate, than Texas did that year. (Here is a look at the cities that will add the jobs by 2060 according to economists.)
Here is where people from Texas are moving to the most.
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
50. Vermont
> People from Texas who moved to Vermont in 2021: 576 (0.13% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +4,079 (+0.63%)
> Total 2021 population: 641,007
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
49. Wyoming
> People from Texas who moved to Wyoming in 2021: 610 (0.14% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,878 (+0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 573,476
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
48. Rhode Island
> People from Texas who moved to Rhode Island in 2021: 762 (0.17% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +640 (+0.06%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,085,539
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
47. Maine
> People from Texas who moved to Maine in 2021: 876 (0.20% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,681 (+1.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,360,264
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
46. West Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to West Virginia in 2021: 920 (0.21% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -5,894 (-0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,767,792
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
45. Delaware
> People from Texas who moved to Delaware in 2021: 1,300 (0.29% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +12,693 (+1.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 994,669
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
44. District of Columbia
> People from Texas who moved to District of Columbia in 2021: 1,498 (0.33% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -2,077 (-0.31%)
> Total 2021 population: 661,026
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
43. New Hampshire
> People from Texas who moved to New Hampshire in 2021: 1,647 (0.37% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,918 (+0.65%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,377,638
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
42. Connecticut
> People from Texas who moved to Connecticut in 2021: 2,073 (0.46% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +25,993 (+0.72%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,571,470
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
41. North Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to North Dakota in 2021: 2,127 (0.48% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,584 (-0.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 764,638
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
40. South Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to South Dakota in 2021: 2,229 (0.50% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,365 (+0.94%)
> Total 2021 population: 884,616
Source: AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images
39. New Jersey
> People from Texas who moved to New Jersey in 2021: 2,402 (0.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,728 (-0.04%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,174,117
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
38. Nebraska
> People from Texas who moved to Nebraska in 2021: 2,619 (0.59% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +912 (+0.05%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,939,700
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
37. Montana
> People from Texas who moved to Montana in 2021: 2,671 (0.60% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +19,152 (+1.76%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,093,888
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
36. Idaho
> People from Texas who moved to Idaho in 2021: 3,089 (0.69% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,112 (+2.98%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,879,719
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
35. Alaska
> People from Texas who moved to Alaska in 2021: 3,563 (0.80% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,259 (+0.17%)
> Total 2021 population: 723,949
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
34. Iowa
> People from Texas who moved to Iowa in 2021: 3,903 (0.87% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +7,118 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,159,672
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
33. Nevada
> People from Texas who moved to Nevada in 2021: 4,317 (0.96% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +30,754 (+0.99%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,111,722
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
32. Minnesota
> People from Texas who moved to Minnesota in 2021: 4,889 (1.09% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,619 (+0.03%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,645,866
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
31. South Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to South Carolina in 2021: 5,464 (1.22% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +61,418 (+1.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,142,137
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
30. Massachusetts
> People from Texas who moved to Massachusetts in 2021: 5,618 (1.26% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -6,039 (-0.09%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,916,314
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Kansas
> People from Texas who moved to Kansas in 2021: 6,016 (1.34% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +03 (+0.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,900,594
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
28. Utah
> People from Texas who moved to Utah in 2021: 6,078 (1.36% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,328 (+1.68%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,295,561
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
27. Oregon
> People from Texas who moved to Oregon in 2021: 6,469 (1.45% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +11,506 (+0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,207,387
Source: Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
26. Michigan
> People from Texas who moved to Michigan in 2021: 6,589 (1.47% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -32,073 (-0.32%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,950,336
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. Indiana
> People from Texas who moved to Indiana in 2021: 6,591 (1.47% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +24,733 (+0.36%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,729,771
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
24. Hawaii
> People from Texas who moved to Hawaii in 2021: 6,849 (1.53% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,889 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,426,298
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
23. Kentucky
> People from Texas who moved to Kentucky in 2021: 6,892 (1.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -856 (-0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,460,646
Source: marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
22. Wisconsin
> People from Texas who moved to Wisconsin in 2021: 6,893 (1.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -16,170 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,838,954
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
21. Maryland
> People from Texas who moved to Maryland in 2021: 6,974 (1.56% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,405 (+0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,099,715
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
20. Mississippi
> People from Texas who moved to Mississippi in 2021: 7,027 (1.57% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -8,555 (-0.29%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,919,574
Source: espiegle / iStock via Getty Images
19. Ohio
> People from Texas who moved to Ohio in 2021: 7,248 (1.62% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -33,175 (-0.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 11,660,200
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Pennsylvania
> People from Texas who moved to Pennsylvania in 2021: 9,271 (2.07% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +17,619 (+0.14%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,842,522
Source: RobHainer / iStock via Getty Images
17. Alabama
> People from Texas who moved to Alabama in 2021: 10,616 (2.37% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +18,484 (+0.37%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,989,797
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
16. New Mexico
> People from Texas who moved to New Mexico in 2021: 10,712 (2.39% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,713 (-0.08%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,092,251
Source: LoweStock / iStock via Getty Images
15. Washington
> People from Texas who moved to Washington in 2021: 10,737 (2.40% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +16,714 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,657,350
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
14. Missouri
> People from Texas who moved to Missouri in 2021: 12,919 (2.89% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +15,825 (+0.26%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,102,443
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
13. Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to Virginia in 2021: 13,305 (2.97% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +20,894 (+0.24%)
> Total 2021 population: 8,557,020
Source: dszc / E+ via Getty Images
12. Arizona
> People from Texas who moved to Arizona in 2021: 13,312 (2.98% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +84,934 (+1.18%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,202,745
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
11. North Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to North Carolina in 2021: 14,240 (3.18% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +116,440 (+1.11%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,446,881
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Tennessee
> People from Texas who moved to Tennessee in 2021: 15,300 (3.42% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +42,732 (+0.62%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,899,165
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
9. Illinois
> People from Texas who moved to Illinois in 2021: 15,480 (3.46% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -100,111 (-0.78%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,544,435
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Arkansas
> People from Texas who moved to Arkansas in 2021: 16,374 (3.66% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,927 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,990,311
Source: Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images
7. New York
> People from Texas who moved to New York in 2021: 16,818 (3.76% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -250,804 (-1.25%)
> Total 2021 population: 19,626,300
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
6. Louisiana
> People from Texas who moved to Louisiana in 2021: 21,290 (4.76% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -24,566 (-0.53%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,571,302
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
5. Georgia
> People from Texas who moved to Georgia in 2021: 21,413 (4.79% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +58,201 (+0.54%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,688,429
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
4. Oklahoma
> People from Texas who moved to Oklahoma in 2021: 27,223 (6.09% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,313 (+0.66%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,943,443
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
3. Florida
> People from Texas who moved to Florida in 2021: 28,243 (6.31% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +238,467 (+1.10%)
> Total 2021 population: 21,590,684
Source: pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
2. Colorado
> People from Texas who moved to Colorado in 2021: 29,754 (6.65% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,432 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,757,628
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
1. California
> People from Texas who moved to California in 2021: 33,577 (7.51% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -358,662 (-0.91%)
> Total 2021 population: 38,833,197
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