Where Are Americans Moving (and Fleeing)?

Millions of Americans move to a new home each year, and a sizeable percentage of them move long distance — to a new state or beyond.

As physicians well know, there are many reasons to move: Schooling, Career Opportunities, Retirement, among others. And while each case has its own unique circumstances, when analyzed on a macro level, certain trends emerge as to which states are attracting more residents, and why.

United Van Lines has just released its latest report on out-of-state moves. The report serves as a leading source of interstate residential relocation data.

“Because of United Van Lines’ position as the nation’s largest household goods mover, our data is reflective of national migration trends,” said Melissa Sullivan, the company’s director of marketing communications, in a press release.

Two of the most popular regions for movers are at opposite corners of the country: The Pacific Northwest, and the South, each region has three states in the Top 10 when it comes to inbound moves.

“This year’s data reflects longer-term trends of people moving to the Pacific West, where cities such as Portland and Seattle are seeing a combination of the boom in the technology and creative marketing industry as well as a growing ‘want’ for outdoor activity and green space,” said Michael Stoll, an economist, professor, and chair of the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Stoll said he also sees a trend of Baby Boomers relocating from the Northeast and Midwest to the warmer climates of the South and West.

The Northeast was the region with the most outbound movers, according to the study.

What follows are 2015’s Top 10 States for Outbound Moves, followed by the Top 10 States for Inbound Moves. At the end of the piece is United’s infographic, which provides details on the states in the middle of the list.

Note: The list includes only the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.

Top 10 States for Outbound Moves

55.2% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 29

56.3% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 35

57.1% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 45

57.2% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 39

57.3% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 43

Top 10 States for Outbound Moves (cont.)

58.4% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 44

62.6% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 40

63.2% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 47

64.6% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 48

66.6% of shipments were outbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 49

Top 10 States for Inbound Moves

56.3% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 12

56.9% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 7

57.3% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 8

57.3% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 6

58.8% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 5

Top 10 States for Inbound Moves (cont.)

58.9% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 3

60.5% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 10

62.0% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 4

62.4% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 2

69.0% of shipments were inbound

Last Year’s Rank (out of 49): 1

Continue reading for a map showing the trends in all 50 states...

Map courtesy of United Van Lines.