Where are Americans moving? Aside from a few high-profile celebrities who, this time, followed through on threats (or promises) to move overseas based on the 2024 election, most Americans move within the US. While rapidly developing countries like India and China experience significant internal (and external) migration, among developed nations, Americans lead the mobility statistics.
Historical Basis
American mobility stems from the nation’s roots as a destination for immigrants. From the end of the Civil War until the Great Depression of the 1930s, roughly 15% of the population was foreign-born. Over the next four decades, immigration slowed, and by 1970, the percentage of foreign-born individuals had declined to 5%. Over the last fifty years, the trend has reversed, and immigration has accelerated. As of the last census, foreign-born residents are again approaching the previous 15% level.
Economic Factors
Not surprisingly, the primary reason most Americans cite for moving is economic. Younger Americans move for better job prospects. Retiring Americans move to lower-cost (and often warmer) locations. The increased acceptance of remote work in the post-pandemic world adds even more momentum to the nomadic side of the equation. Why cram your family into a tiny, big city apartment when, for less money, you can buy a detached home elsewhere? Quality of life factors, such as better schools, open spaces, and reduced traffic, further bias the process.
The Answer?
Using census data and information from U-Haul and United Van Lines, South Carolina is the most popular destination. Other winners include warm-weather states like Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. While it was an important factor, not all warm-weather states fared well. Despite their pleasant weather, the high cost of living in California and Hawaii placed them on the losing side. Similarly, some cold-weather states with lower costs of living, such as Idaho, Montana, and New Hampshire, experienced positive migration.
Our featured map courtesy of The Tax Foundation with data from the US Census Bureau.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to pay the bills
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