Top states where Americans moved to – and from – in 2024
If you’re considering a move, these are the top states where Americans moved to, and from, in 2024, according to a new study.
Moving company United Van Lines released its 48th Annual National Movers Study on Wednesday, revealing the changing landscape of migration in the United States.
According to the results of the study, which tracked the Company’s data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns in 2024, the top five inbound states occurred on the East coast.
Americans moving to West Virginia
The company revealed that West Virginia was the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (66%) among states experiencing more than 250 moves with United Van Lines.
Located in the Appalachian region, West Virginia is known for its range of outdoor activities, affordable housing and lower cost of living compared to the national average.
The Mountain State jumped nine spots on this year’s inbound list, compared to the 2023 National Movers Study. The top motivations for moves to the state included wanting to be closer to family (35%) and a new job/company transfer (31%).
New states on the 2024 top inbound list also included Delaware, moving up from no. 11 in 2023 to no. 2 in 2024, Oregon, moving up from no.12 in 2023 to no. 8 in 2024, and Arizona, moving up from no. 18 in 2023 to no.10 in 2024. South Carolina, Alabama and Rhode Island have been included in the top inbound states over the past five years.
People exercising along canal in Brandywine Park along Brandywine River in Downtown district, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. (Credit: Jumping Rocks/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
United Van Lines also continued to see greater migration to less densely populated areas of the country — often moving outside of big cities. Of those Southeast states, Wilmington, North Carolina (83%), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (80%) and Little Rock, Arkansas (57%) were included among the metro areas for high inbound migration.
The top inbound states of 2024
- West Virginia
- Delaware
- South Carolina
- District of Columbia
- North Carolina
- Alabama
- Rhode Island
- Oregon
- Arkansas
- Arizona
More residents leave New Jersey
Conversely, for the seventh consecutive year, more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state, reporting a 67% outbound migration.
The top motivations for moves out of the state were driven primarily from those looking to retire (22%) and wanting to be closer to family (20%), with more than 40% of movers aged 65 and older. Of those moving from New Jersey, 20% moved to the sunshine state of Florida.
An outbound moving trend continued in the Midwest and West regions of the United States.
RELATED: Here’s where the young and rich are moving – and it’s not New York or California
Illinois (60%), Wyoming (57%) and Nebraska (56%) were included among the top states with a high percentage of outbound moves in 2024. Of those states, Cheyenne, Wyoming (73%), Springfield, Illinois (69%) and Lincoln, Nebraska (59%) were included among the metro areas for high outbound migration.
New states to the 2024 top outbound list were Mississippi, moving up from no.18 in 2023 to no. 8 in 2024, and Nebraska, moving up from no.13 in 2023 to no. 9 in 2024. California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois and New Jersey have been included in the top outbound states over the past five years.
Top outbound states of 2024
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- New York
- California
- Massachusetts
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
Americans moving to be closer to family
For the first time in decades, the primary driver for moving was a desire to be closer to family (28%).
For example, the top motivation for moving to Delaware, no. 2 in the top inbound state for 2024, included a desire to be closer to family (36%), with more than 50% of movers aged 65 and older. Of those moving to Delaware, 12% of movers came from New York.
"Recent migration data from United Van Lines continues to reveal the lingering influences of the global pandemic," Michael A. Stoll, an economist and professor in The Department of Public Policy at The University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement. "As housing costs continue to rise, Americans are moving to lower density, more affordable regions between expensive, economic-driving states."