Special Report

Where People From Tennessee Are Moving to the Most

Sam Stebbins / 24/7 Wall St.

Even in the best possible circumstances, moving to a new home can be stressful. Perhaps in no small part for this reason, in recent decades Americans have become increasingly likely to stay put. Fewer than 30 million people moved within the U.S. in each of the last three years, compared to over 40 million per year for much of the 1980s and throughout the 1990s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While a small minority of moves in the U.S. are necessitated by an eviction or natural disaster, most are voluntary — most often for reasons related to housing. These include wanting a larger home, a more affordable home, or a home in a better neighborhood. Other commonly cited explanations include work and family.

No matter the reason, most Americans do not have to go far to get what they want. Since record keeping began in 1948, over 60% of movers remained in the same county, and over 80% in the same state. Lately, however, a larger share of American movers are crossing state lines.

According to estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the number of Americans who moved to a different state has been steadily rising for over a decade. More than 8.2 million Americans moved to a different state in 2022, the most of any year since at least 2010.

The historic number of moves across state lines in 2022 was driven in part by moves out of Tennessee. An estimated 182,700 Americans left Tennessee in 2022 for a different part of the country.

Some states are much more popular destinations for people from Tennessee than others. Across all 49 other states and Washington D.C., the influx of former-Tennessee residents in 2022 ranged from about 20 to over 20,600.

50. Vermont: 18 people from Tennessee

Source: AlbertPego / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Vermont in 2022: 18 (0.01% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Vermont in 2022: 26,151 — the fewest of 50 states (0.07% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)

49. Nebraska: 22 people from Tennessee

Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 22 (0.01% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 49,159 — 11th fewest of 50 states (0.04% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)

48. North Dakota: 56 people from Tennessee

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 56 (0.03% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 34,536 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.16% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)

47. Minnesota: 65 people from Tennessee

Source: jimkruger / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 65 (0.04% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 117,016 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (0.06% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)

46. Rhode Island: 172 people from Tennessee

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 172 (0.09% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 40,311 — 6th fewest of 50 states (0.43% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)

45. Idaho: 191 people from Tennessee

Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Idaho in 2022: 191 (0.10% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Idaho in 2022: 87,949 — 19th fewest of 50 states (0.22% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)

44. Wyoming: 210 people from Tennessee

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 210 (0.11% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 28,948 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (0.73% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)

43. Delaware: 241 people from Tennessee

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Delaware in 2022: 241 (0.13% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Delaware in 2022: 46,162 — 9th fewest of 50 states (0.52% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)

42. New Hampshire: 244 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 244 (0.13% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 49,782 — 12th fewest of 50 states (0.49% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)

41. New Mexico: 271 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 271 (0.15% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 72,095 — 15th fewest of 50 states (0.38% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)

40. South Dakota: 340 people from Tennessee

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 340 (0.19% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 31,300 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (1.09% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)

39. Iowa: 355 people from Tennessee

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Iowa in 2022: 355 (0.19% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Iowa in 2022: 72,231 — 16th fewest of 50 states (0.49% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)

38. New Jersey: 366 people from Tennessee

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 366 (0.20% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 175,023 — 16th most of 50 states (0.21% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)

37. West Virginia: 458 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 458 (0.25% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 43,493 — 8th fewest of 50 states (1.05% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)

36. Connecticut: 507 people from Tennessee

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 507 (0.28% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 145,315 — 21st most of 50 states (0.35% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)

35. Maine: 520 people from Tennessee

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Maine in 2022: 520 (0.28% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Maine in 2022: 41,618 — 7th fewest of 50 states (1.25% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)

34. District of Columbia: 614 people from Tennessee

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 614 (0.34% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 64,506 (0.95% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 671,803

33. Montana: 719 people from Tennessee

Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Montana in 2022: 719 (0.39% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Montana in 2022: 48,165 — 10th fewest of 50 states (1.49% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)

32. Utah: 730 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Utah in 2022: 730 (0.40% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Utah in 2022: 91,341 — 20th fewest of 50 states (0.80% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)

31. Alaska: 872 people from Tennessee

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Alaska in 2022: 872 (0.48% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Alaska in 2022: 36,563 — 5th fewest of 50 states (2.38% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)

30. Hawaii: 956 people from Tennessee

Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 956 (0.52% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 56,209 — 13th fewest of 50 states (1.70% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)

29. Louisiana: 1,286 people from Tennessee

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 1,286 (0.70% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 75,330 — 17th fewest of 50 states (1.71% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)

28. Massachusetts: 1,407 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 1,407 (0.77% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 171,077 — 17th most of 50 states (0.82% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)

27. Maryland: 1,688 people from Tennessee

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Maryland in 2022: 1,688 (0.92% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Maryland in 2022: 139,784 — 22nd most of 50 states (1.21% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)

26. Oregon: 1,819 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Oregon in 2022: 1,819 (1.00% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Oregon in 2022: 128,359 — 24th most of 50 states (1.42% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)

25. Wisconsin: 1,827 people from Tennessee

Source: warrenlemay / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 1,827 (1.00% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 120,434 — 25th fewest of 50 states (1.52% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)

24. Missouri: 1,829 people from Tennessee

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Missouri in 2022: 1,829 (1.00% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Missouri in 2022: 163,254 — 18th most of 50 states (1.12% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)

23. Oklahoma: 1,988 people from Tennessee

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 1,988 (1.09% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 117,788 — 24th fewest of 50 states (1.69% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)

22. Kansas: 2,019 people from Tennessee

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Kansas in 2022: 2,019 (1.11% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Kansas in 2022: 94,208 — 21st fewest of 50 states (2.14% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)

21. New York: 2,164 people from Tennessee

Source: Andre Carrotflower / Wikimedia Commons
  • People from Tennessee who moved to New York in 2022: 2,164 (1.18% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New York in 2022: 301,461 — 6th most of 50 states (0.72% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)

20. Nevada: 2,606 people from Tennessee

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Nevada in 2022: 2,606 (1.43% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Nevada in 2022: 127,406 — 25th most of 50 states (2.05% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)

19. Indiana: 3,062 people from Tennessee

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Indiana in 2022: 3,062 (1.68% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Indiana in 2022: 149,331 — 20th most of 50 states (2.05% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)

18. Washington: 3,331 people from Tennessee

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Washington in 2022: 3,331 (1.82% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Washington in 2022: 248,355 — 10th most of 50 states (1.34% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)

17. Pennsylvania: 4,227 people from Tennessee

Source: kimon / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 4,227 (2.31% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 262,700 — 9th most of 50 states (1.61% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)

16. Arizona: 4,357 people from Tennessee

Source: dougtone / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Arizona in 2022: 4,357 (2.39% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Arizona in 2022: 282,729 — 7th most of 50 states (1.54% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)

15. South Carolina: 4,374 people from Tennessee

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 4,374 (2.39% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 219,707 — 14th most of 50 states (1.99% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)

14. Michigan: 4,933 people from Tennessee

Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Michigan in 2022: 4,933 (2.70% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Michigan in 2022: 157,955 — 19th most of 50 states (3.12% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)

13. Arkansas: 4,970 people from Tennessee

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 4,970 (2.72% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 86,375 — 18th fewest of 50 states (5.75% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)

12. Virginia: 5,249 people from Tennessee

Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Virginia in 2022: 5,249 (2.87% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Virginia in 2022: 266,970 — 8th most of 50 states (1.97% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 8,683,619 (12th largest of 50 states)

11. California: 5,498 people from Tennessee

Source: Maks Ershov / Shutterstock.com
  • People from Tennessee who moved to California in 2022: 5,498 (3.01% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to California in 2022: 475,803 — 3rd most of 50 states (1.16% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)

10. Colorado: 5,702 people from Tennessee

Source: pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Colorado in 2022: 5,702 (3.12% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Colorado in 2022: 229,876 — 11th most of 50 states (2.48% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)

9. Ohio: 6,283 people from Tennessee

Source: dougtone / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Ohio in 2022: 6,283 (3.44% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Ohio in 2022: 200,809 — 15th most of 50 states (3.13% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)

8. Illinois: 7,420 people from Tennessee

Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Illinois in 2022: 7,420 (4.06% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Illinois in 2022: 228,308 — 12th most of 50 states (3.25% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,582,032 (6th largest of 50 states)

7. North Carolina: 9,049 people from Tennessee

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 9,049 (4.95% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 341,582 — 4th most of 50 states (2.65% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,698,973 (9th largest of 50 states)

6. Mississippi: 11,406 people from Tennessee

Mississippi | Jackson Mississippi Skyline
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 11,406 (6.24% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 69,948 — 14th fewest of 50 states (16.31% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)

5. Alabama: 11,634 people from Tennessee

Source: formulanone / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Alabama in 2022: 11,634 (6.37% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Alabama in 2022: 139,263 — 23rd most of 50 states (8.35% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)

4. Kentucky: 12,561 people from Tennessee

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 12,561 (6.88% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 113,197 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (11.10% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)

3. Texas: 12,617 people from Tennessee

Source: Jonathan Ross / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Texas in 2022: 12,617 (6.91% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Texas in 2022: 668,338 — 2nd most of 50 states (1.89% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 30,029,572 (2nd largest of 50 states)

2. Georgia: 18,785 people from Tennessee

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Georgia in 2022: 18,785 (10.28% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Georgia in 2022: 327,795 — 5th most of 50 states (5.73% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)

1. Florida: 20,651 people from Tennessee

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Florida in 2022: 20,651 (11.31% of outbound moves from Tennessee)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Florida in 2022: 738,969 — the most of 50 states (2.79% from Tennessee)
  • Total population in 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)
Rank Geography New residents from Tennessee in 2022 Share of all outbound moves from Tennessee in 2022 (%) Share of all inbound moves from Tennessee in 2022 (%)
50 Vermont 18 0.01 0.07
49 Nebraska 22 0.01 0.04
48 North Dakota 56 0.03 0.16
47 Minnesota 65 0.04 0.06
46 Rhode Island 172 0.09 0.43
45 Idaho 191 0.10 0.22
44 Wyoming 210 0.11 0.73
43 Delaware 241 0.13 0.52
42 New Hampshire 244 0.13 0.49
41 New Mexico 271 0.15 0.38
40 South Dakota 340 0.19 1.09
39 Iowa 355 0.19 0.49
38 New Jersey 366 0.20 0.21
37 West Virginia 458 0.25 1.05
36 Connecticut 507 0.28 0.35
35 Maine 520 0.28 1.25
34 District of Columbia 614 0.34 0.95
33 Montana 719 0.39 1.49
32 Utah 730 0.40 0.80
31 Alaska 872 0.48 2.38
30 Hawaii 956 0.52 1.70
29 Louisiana 1,286 0.70 1.71
28 Massachusetts 1,407 0.77 0.82
27 Maryland 1,688 0.92 1.21
26 Oregon 1,819 1.00 1.42
25 Wisconsin 1,827 1.00 1.52
24 Missouri 1,829 1.00 1.12
23 Oklahoma 1,988 1.09 1.69
22 Kansas 2,019 1.11 2.14
21 New York 2,164 1.18 0.72
20 Nevada 2,606 1.43 2.05
19 Indiana 3,062 1.68 2.05
18 Washington 3,331 1.82 1.34
17 Pennsylvania 4,227 2.31 1.61
16 Arizona 4,357 2.39 1.54
15 South Carolina 4,374 2.39 1.99
14 Michigan 4,933 2.70 3.12
13 Arkansas 4,970 2.72 5.75
12 Virginia 5,249 2.87 1.97
11 California 5,498 3.01 1.16
10 Colorado 5,702 3.12 2.48
9 Ohio 6,283 3.44 3.13
8 Illinois 7,420 4.06 3.25
7 North Carolina 9,049 4.95 2.65
6 Mississippi 11,406 6.24 16.31
5 Alabama 11,634 6.37 8.35
4 Kentucky 12,561 6.88 11.10
3 Texas 12,617 6.91 1.89
2 Georgia 18,785 10.28 5.73
1 Florida 20,651 11.31 2.79

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