Today’s moving trends seem to be increasingly driven by necessity rather than lifestyle. According to the latest U.S. Census data, Americans are moving less frequently than they used to, with a staggering 87.9% of the population staying in the same home year after year — a notable rise from the 85.1% reported a decade ago. This slower pace of moving seems to be mostly driven by a big drop in local relocations.

Local moves — often discretionary and fueled by desires to upgrade to a better neighborhood or larger home — are now at historic lows. Relocations within the same state have dropped significantly, from 11.9% of the population in 2014 to just 9.1% in 2023, equivalent to 30 million people.

Long-distance moves, however, are frequently driven by necessity, such as finding a job, affording a home or improving quality of life. These motivations remain strong despite rising costs of living, keeping state-to-state relocations on a steady trajectory. In 2023, approximately 7.55 million Americans moved to a different state, representing 2.3% of the population. While this marks a slight dip from 2.5% in the previous year, it aligns with prepandemic migration patterns.

Why Are Americans Moving Less?

Among the major factors behind the moving slowdown is worsening affordability, particularly in popular locations, as well as the rising costs of insurance and property taxes. The “lock-in” effect caused by persistently high mortgage rates has also added to the mix, making many homeowners stay put rather than give up their lower-interest mortgages for costlier ones.

The cost of changing homes itself is another barrier. Moving has become more expensive than ever, with costs driven up by higher fuel prices, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. Local moves now typically cost between $400 and $1,000, while cross-country moves for a two- to three-bedroom home can range from $8,000 to $11,000, according to United Van Lines.

Yet, for those who do move, the motivations are compelling. Many people are drawn to places where their money stretches further, offering larger homes, better neighborhoods and improved lifestyles. Others are driven by the promise of new career opportunities, warmer climates or the chance to retire near family.

With state-to-state migration having a big impact on the economy and housing market —redistributing talent, shifting consumer demand and even influencing industries like self storage, which is largely driven by moving — we wanted to see which states are doing a better job at attracting and retaining residents.

Our analysis looked at the number of people moving to a different state, ranking states based on net migration, both overall and relative to each state’s population.

We also explored who is moving and the possible reasons behind the moves, looking at factors like age, income, education level, employment status, homeownership rates and home price differences between origin and destination states. By piecing together this data, we aimed to uncover what drives Americans to make long-distance moves — and where their newfound dream homes had been waiting.

Who’s Moving State-To-State In The US? Gen Zers, Catching Up To Millennials

The primary drivers of long-distance moves in the U.S. are millennials and Gen Zers, each accounting for nearly 30% of all state-to-state relocations in 2023. These younger generations are actively chasing career opportunities, affordable housing and new experiences. In comparison, Gen Xers and baby boomers represent a much smaller share, at 12% and 11%, respectively, as they are typically more settled in their careers or retired.

Gen Zers generally favor states such as the two Carolinas and Arizona, where they can get access to dynamic job markets and laid-back, comfortable lifestyles. Millennials, on the other hand, are highly attracted by states such as Texas and Florida, that make it easier for newcomers to prosper financially.

State-to-state movers tend to be educated, with 37% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Their annual income slightly underperforms the national average ($57,600 versus $59,100), reflecting the fact that many long-distance movers are young professionals still establishing their careers.

Remote work is another characteristic, with 20% of long-distance movers working remotely, compared to just 14% of the general population.

While most people who move to a different state are renters (49%), roughly 39% of those who moved to a different state in 2023 bought a home within their first year of settling in, reaffirming our chasing of the American dream and the significant role that housing affordability plays in relocation decisions.

Southern US Unrivaled In Attracting The Most Americans On The Move

The southern United States is still ahead in the state-to-state moving game, with seven states in the region among the top 10 hotspots for net migration, joined by a few other relocation hotspots in the Mountain West and Midwest regions.

The winning states capitalize on a combination of affordability, economic opportunity and lifestyle appeal. Lower housing costs are a key draw, especially for younger generations and families looking to stretch their incomes. Many of these states also feature lower tax burdens, job growth in emerging industries like tech and health care and an overall lower cost of living.

Urban centers in these regions are also stepping up, offering amenities and cultural experiences that were once the domain of coastal cities. These include vibrant dining scenes, outdoor recreation and growing arts communities. Coupled with the flexibility of remote work, these factors make relocating to less densely populated, affordable states an increasingly attractive option for many Americans.

In 2023, Texas surprisingly overtook Florida as the nation’s top state for net migration, ending Florida’s 10-year reign. This shift is largely due to a sharp drop in net migration to Florida, which fell from 238,000 in 2022 to 137,000 in 2023 — a decline of nearly 100,000. Meanwhile, Texas maintained a steady influx of new residents, allowing it to narrowly claim the top spot.

- more at azbigmedia.com