In the last few years, many of us have been stuck inside our homes and we’ve started to get a little bored of the same 4 walls. People also started to explore different tax options in different states which led to a large movement to lower tax states. There were also quite a few states that lost residents so let’s take a look at the states who gained and the states that lost the most people in 2021.
This information is based on both the census data for the United States in 2021 and the industry data from some of the country’s top moving companies like U-Haul. Their data is great at showing where people have moved within the country and whether or not they chose to take the moving vehicle out of the country instead. While America did see quite a bit of movement across the border, there was still a large percentage that moved from one state to another so let’s look at what the data says.
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5 States People are Flocking to
5) South Carolina +1.4%
People have started to make moves from large cities and states to smaller ones in a bid to save money and relax a bit more. This has led to South Carolina becoming a popular state for people to move to but there are a few other reasons that could be a factor. The most active industry in the state is Aerospace and aviation which have both taken a huge jump in popularity in recent years so if you want to shoot for the stars then South Carolina is a good choice.
4) Arizona +1.7%
In the last few years, many people have chosen to open up their own businesses or companies so they are looking for a state that has a strong economy to build from. Arizona has one of the richest economies in the country and it is the 3rd ranked state for job growth in the last few years. The warm weather and fantastic scenery are a bonus for this gorgeous state but it has become a big draw to anyone who wants to experience some great outdoor activities.
3) Montana +1.8%
One of the big reasons people are moving to Montan is likely due to the stats zero sales tax policy along with their low property tax for homes. The state is also another one that has a low unemployment rate (2.3%) so those who are moving from new states don’t have to worry as much about gaining new employment. The cost of living in Montana ai s slightly less than in the rest of the country which means people can make their dollars stretch a bit further.
2)Utah +2%
Utah saw quite a jump in its population in 2021 which could be due to its low crime rate, low taxes, and fantastic natural beauty. Residents love the local parks along with the large religious community (62% of Utah residents are members of the LDS community). Utah has a very high rate of health for its residents which could also be another reason why people love it.
1) Idaho +3.4%
The moving data shows that many people chose to pick up and move to Idaho last year and there are plenty of reasons why. People enjoy the low cost of living along with the combination of metro areas with higher populations. The state also has a very low unemployment rate (2.7%) which means it’s much easier for new residents to find a job.
5 States People Can’t Wait to Leave
5) Massachusetts -0.6%
A major factor that could be making people leave Massachusetts could be the rising cost of living combined with the high home costs (median sale prices for this small state are in the upper 500k range). Another thing that bothers the people living there is a lack of space due to the high population (about 6.8 million) in a small area ( roughly 10,000 square miles with 25% being water) so if you want wide open space, you should look somewhere else.
4) Louisiana -0.7%
Natural disasters are something that can be hard to avoid but some states are more prone than others to things like floods, tornados, and extreme storms. Louisiana has plenty of extreme weather every year that makes it hard to prepare for and many people have chosen to leave instead of dealing with it every year. The state is also lacking in its health care and education sectors (the state is often considered the worst for education in the country) which most people consider very important.
3) California -0.8%
If you are looking to start saving some money then you want to stay away from California. This state is beautiful but unfortunately, it is the 2nd highest state to live in the country for everything and that is likely one of the main things that have been driving people away.
2) Illinois -1.1%
The great state of Illinois has a larger population than you think which means they have quite a few cons like difficulty finding employment and a higher crime rate than other states. The taxes here are also higher so you will end up paying a bit more for many things.
1) New York -1.8%
There are plenty of reasons that people have chosen o leave New York including incredibly high rental rates, high cost of living, extreme traffic, and unpredictable weather. People also don’t enjoy the crime rate, the crowd, and the overall attitude of the people in the city.
People move from one state to another for so many different reasons and these are just a few things that might sway people from one place to another, If you are thinking about moving then you should do some research before you choose which state will work best for you and your family.
