Americans love to be on the move. Our work and social lives always have us on the go in our day-today activities, but now more than ever, in where we live too. With a number of factors motivating our moving patterns, nearly 35.5 million Americans move throughout the country each year. And according to United Van Lines’ 42nd Annual National Movers Study, 2018 kept with the pattern. But why are so many people moving? And where are they moving to? And from?
We’ve taken a closer look at all the data of Americans on the move this past year to help you keep up with the latest moving trends.
Top States Americans are Moving to:
- Vermont
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Nevada
- Arizona
- South Carolina
- Washington
- North Carolina
- South Dakota
- District of Columbia
Vermont takes the cake with 72.6% of inbound migration this past year. But this state isn’t new to the top, ranking #1 for the last four years in a row. A majority of these movers are older, somewhat wealthier residents seeking a home closer to family, a healthier lifestyle or a nice place to retirement. Conversely, this state also did the worst in terms of younger movers and job seekers.
The Mountain West region continues to increase in popularity with its states filling half the top 10 spots. These states include Oregon (#2 at 63.8%), Idaho (#3 at 62.4%), Nevada (#4 at 61.8%), Washington (#7 at 58.8%) and South Dakota (#9 at 57%). Oregon led the way in this region with most of its inbound moves attributed to a job or company transfer and proximity to family.
Americans are also continuing their southward migration for job change and retirement purposes. For these reasons, we see South Carolina, North Carolina and Arizona filling out the top 10, but it doesn’t appear that a warm, sunny climate is as much of a motivator as in the past. This is supported by the increased number of retirees leaving California for mountainous regions and other states in the Pacific West compared to a few decades ago.
But one of the more shocking trends is how many Americans are leaving the Northeast. Check out the top 10 outbound states.
Top States Americans are Moving from:
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- Connecticut
- New York
- Kansas
- Ohio
- Massachusetts
- Iowa
- Montana
- Michigan
The Northeast claims 4 out of the top 7 states where movers are choosing to get out. According to the report, for as many people moving into Vermont and Oregon, roughly the same are moving out of the garden state. Nearly two-thirds (66.8%) of New Jersey moves were out of state in 2018, and it’s no stranger to this list, ranking in the top 10 outbound states for the last 10 years.
For millennials, high costs and weather were two primary factors for saying “goodbye” to the Northeast. Jobs were also a big motivator as states like Texas have seen massive job growth since the recession and other vibrant metropolitan economies, like Seattle and DC, have become desirable employment destinations. In fact, out of the 25 cities that millennials are relocating to, not one is in a Northeastern state.
Illinois ranks the highest in outbound states at 63%, moving up one spoty from 2017, while Iowa (55.5%), Montana (55%) and Michigan (55%) cap off the last three spots of the top 10 this year.
The good news for movers in our area is that Hughes Relocation has the experience and resources to take you anywhere in the country. Whether you’re moving out of the Northeast, to the Mountain West, or breaking all trends and choosing your own path, our expert residential movers will help you and your belongings get there quickly and safely, so your new life can begin! Contact us for a moving consultation to learn more.
Resources:
https://www.unitedvanlines.com/contact-united/news/movers-study-2018
