States People Are Leaving- Places With the Most Residents Fleeing, Ranked

With the rise of the remote job and the ever-rising cost of living, many people are opting to ditch their old homes in pursuit of new ones. All states people are leaving have their own reasons for a dwindling population. Of course, some are worse off than others, too. Most people are citing employment opportunities, family, and education as big reasons for their moves.

United Van Lines releases a yearly study to look at where people are leaving and which states people are moving to. We’ve compiled the results here! Is your state on the list?

29. Georgia

Outbound Move Rate- 46.5% People may be leaving Georgia, but certainly it’s not as bad as many other states are facing. In recent years, the state has become increasingly ideologically divided with two very different viewpoints and lifestyles splitting the state. This has created a swing state that the Georgians are not used to. As such, many are choosing to flee the tension to find a haven where they don’t have to deal with politics in this capacity. Additionally, those looking for bigger job opportunities are heading north.

28. Arkansas

Outbound Move Rate- 47.4% Overwhelmingly, the reason that people are leaving Arkansas is because they want to pursue jobs elsewhere. Motivated by money, many feel the need to head out of Arkansas. Of course, that’s not really the only reason. There’s a lot of people who are leaving just due to family troubles- either in an effort to be closer or further away from family members. There’s also an incredible urge for young people to get out of rural areas which Arkansas has a lot of.

27. Oklahoma

Outbound Moves Rate- 48.3% It seems that Oklahoma may be overshadowed by its larger neighbor — Texas. However, that doesn’t mean doom for Oklahoma. Overall, their population is fairing pretty well. Of course, not everyone is suited for that Okie lifestyle. It’s hot and has a rough climate at times. The state itself has its own unique culture, but it can leave people feeling isolated from the overall country’s lifestyle and events. People are heading out of the state in an effort to pursue different types of living which really isn’t a bad thing at all.

26. Washington

Outbound Move Rate- 48.5% Seattle seems to be thriving, but some of Washington state is losing their residents. Many of them are moving just a bit closer to cities which would give them better job opportunities. However, Washington only has so many cities, so it isn’t uncommon for people to dip from the state altogether. People leaving may just miss the hiking lifestyle and the beautiful scenic mountains, though! Plus, people tend to move out for retirement, especially for somewhere warmer and less rainy.

25. Montana

Outbound Move Rate- 48.9% In the pursuit of family, Montanans are searching for places closer to their loved ones. There’s a long list of other reasons people are leaving. However, it isn’t anything too jarring or unexpected. Much of the time, they are citing high cost of living or just a general dissonance with the lifestyle of the state. Sometimes, they are pursuing better job opportunities. However, many Californians are actually moving into Montana which makes up the difference. Especially since California is losing significantly more residents than Montana.

24. Kentucky

Outbound Move Rate- 49.8% Politicians and community leaders in Kentucky are optimistic that they can bring people back to the state. Engineering and manufacturing are two particular industries that they are hoping to grow in the coming years. For now, though, people are still meandering their way out of the state, opting instead for places with better employment prospects. Kentucky and Ohio are closely linked as far as lifestyle and economy. However, it seems that Ohio may just be worse off in this department than Kentucky.

23. Wyoming

Outbound Move Rate- 49.8% A state once known for its thriving energy industry is now facing some economic struggles, Wyoming seems to be losing this powerhouse. As these jobs fade, people will head out soon. While the exodus from Wyoming isn’t too bad, it’s definitely something to consider in the future as a possible concern for the state. Overall, the state is actually growing in population in a way that’s above average in comparison to other states. Contributors to this include high birth rates and some people moving into the state still.

22. Indiana

Outbound Move Rate- 49.9% Indiana is right on the cusp of that 50 percent mark. The state isn’t too horrible, really. The unemployment is reasonably low…as is the cost of living. Why, then, are people heading out? Well, there’s still low pay within the state. While it’s cheaper to live there, you’re also making less money. People are finding the idea of a higher pay very attractive, even if it means paying more. Ultimately, for their long term wealth it makes a certain degree of sense as long as they do it strategically.

21. Colorado

Outbound Move Rate- 50% Right on the 50/50 mark, Colorado has as many outbound moves as it does internal moves. Nonetheless, many have been citing the state’s more progressive agenda as a reason to flee. Moreover, residents are worried about traffic and the increasing population density in many of the cities and suburbs. As people internally move toward the cities, the cost of living has also spiked. Not to mention, many are concerned about a recent spike in crime.

20. Iowa

Outbound Move Rate- 50.5% Iowa is much like most states — people are really mostly coming to be with their families. Iowa isn’t doing too bad when it comes to the population shift. In reality, they have enough people coming in to make up for it, but are still losing a lot of people to other states. Young people are dipping out in pursuit of a better job. The biggest city with the most opportunity in Iowa is the capital Des Moines — a city that many may not have even heard of. As such, people are looking for somewhere else to live.

19. Virginia

Outbound Move Rate- 50.9% Governor Glenn Youngkin claimed that the reason people are moving out of Virginia is the result of an economic decline that the state is facing. It’s his belief that the prior Democratic governors caused this decline. Virginians say they’re leaving for work, though, seeking better opportunities elsewhere. Moreover, they’re concerned about the rising cost of living. It was once fairly cheap to live in the state, but it seems that is changing.

18. Missouri

Outbound Move Rate- 51.8% The percentage of moves inbound and outbound from Missouri are relatively comparable. St. Louis has a major draw. It’s also the area experiencing the biggest population growth. The city is a draw for economic possibility. Despite not being on a coast — which has historically been the best strategic location for major cities — it does offer a gateway through the Midwest. However, many are also leaving the state in pursuit of better educational opportunities.

17. Mississipi

Outbound Move Rate- 51.9% Turns out that young people particularly aren’t obsessed with living in Mississippi. They tend not to feel as though there are enough educational or work opportunities within the state. As such, they’re turning elsewhere. It’s not a secret that this is an issue either. However, the population rate is actually growing. While people are leaving, many are also flowing into the state upon retirement or in search of moderately lower taxes. Plus, a steady birth rate is keeping their numbers up, too.

16. Wisconsin

Outbound Move Rate- 52.1% If we could live our life with endless cheese we would. Apparently the people of the cheese state don’t really care about it. In Wisconsin, people are leaving. Not too quickly, but they are certainly on their way out. The biggest concern they have is Wisconsin’s hefty taxes. The state ranks 11th in the country for highest taxes, so Wisconsinites have plenty of other state options if they want to see that number go down. It seems they are taking advantage of this reality, too.

15. Maryland

Outbound Move Rate- 52.2% Why would you want to leave a state with such good crab? Maryland residents seem to not feel so attached to the area themselves. It may be a great vacation spot for its lovely beaches and super cool aquarium, but locals are not quite as thrilled. People moving out of Maryland are doing so for a large variety of reasons. However, the biggest is for job opportunities. It seems like retirement isn’t quite as big of a concern since Maryland is already a retirement destination.

14. North Dakota

Outbound Move Rate- 52.5% We’re seeing North Dakota on this list, but not South Dakota! Both states are very rural, so that isn’t a reason that people are leaving North Dakota. Instead, it seems that North Dakota actually has higher taxes, which isn’t very encouraging for entrepreneurs or residents in general. We can’t be certain where those who are leaving are actually going, but if they want to not go too far, they could definitely hop over to South Dakota for a similar lifestyle at a much lower cost.

13. Pennsylvania

Outbound Move Rate- 52.6% A true swing state, Pennsylvania seems to constantly be at war with itself. As such, every town in Pennsylvania comes with its own culture and feels like a totally different place in general. Yet, many are choosing to leave the state as a whole in favor of more southern states. What’s shocking is that the state actually has incredibly low taxes in comparison to other states, so that’s often what encourages people to stay even if better job opportunities are elsewhere.

12. Minnesota

Outbound Move Rate- 54.3% Many, many people have been faced with the choice of whether or not to leave Minnesota. The state is politically divided and muddled, meaning that many people don’t believe their local government reflects their values. So, people are often looking to move to areas that are more in line with their personal beliefs. Moreover, taxes in Minnesota are relatively high, so people, in an effort to save money, are looking to get out to a low-tax state.

11. Kansas

Outbound Move Rate- 55.5% What’s interesting about Kansas is that it seems people are both heading in and out of the state at similar rates. They’ve cited family as the main reason for making either of those moves. It seems that family is truly a great influence in making these sort of life changing decisions which makes sense. Kansas is also a very rural state. Those who are choosing to stay within the state seem to be fleeing from rural areas in favor of suburban towns.

10. Nebraska

Outbound Move Rate- 56% What’s interesting about those fleeing Nebraska is that they tend to already be making a sizable income. According to the report, about 40 percent of the people leaving Nebraska had an income of over $150,000! However, the biggest reason that people are leaving Nebraska is for better job opportunities. It seems that Nebraskans may feel that there is little opportunity for growth once they hit a certain income bracket. Those moving out for employment opportunities, though, were set off by a similar number moving in for the same reasons. Nebraska’s job market seems to be quite the mystery.

9. Ohio

Outbound Move Rate- 56% Like many states, people are leaving Ohio to find jobs or, at least, better jobs. Ohio is rather isolated as a state and difficult to travel to most major cities. This separates it from many areas with high job opportunities. Interestingly enough, though, those moving into Ohio are doing so to be closer to family. There’s a struggle in this state between employment and family life. Perhaps in several years time, those leaving for work will return to be with their families again. For now, Ohio is severely losing residents.

8. Louisiana

Outbound Move Rate- 57% Economic reasons are really why people are leaving Louisiana. Afterall, many people love the lifestyle and culture that comes from the state. However, that is simply not enough to persuade people to stay. The state has very, very low salaries that often feel unsustainable for many. Moreover, the harsh hurricane season often leaves parts of the state in disarray and reliant on federal relief. Fixing these areas can take a long time and many leave the state in the meantime.

7. Michigan

Outbound Move Rate- 57.7% Sorry, University of Michigan! Many young people are choosing to forgo state schools in Michigan to pursue education opportunities elsewhere. This trend is causing the state to lose young people. Even those who return home tend to leave once an opportunity for better employment pops us. These may not be the only reasons that people are moving out of the state, but it is by far the biggest reason. Not to mention, Michigan is sort of chilly, so if you don’t love the weather you may not want to stay there.

6. Massachusetts

Outbound Move Rate- 58% New England, particularly, has been the site of the moving epidemic. In the heart of the region, Massachusetts is being hit hard. Those moving out are doing so as a result of a recent retirement in the hopes of living out the rest of their days somewhere else — typically somewhere warm. Moreover, many are leaving just to pursue new job opportunities elsewhere. Understandably, others want to be closer to their families and are making the move to do so.

5. California

Outbound Move Rate- 59% California is an absolutely massive state. In fact, there have been proposals over the years to divide the state up into multiple states. However, though you can move within the state, it still seems like movers are disproportionately moving out of the state. The biggest reason is because it is expensive to live in California. There are incredibly high taxes in the state and the cost of living in most areas is tremendously concerning. Plus, there is plenty of political turmoil within the state since the sheer size of it nearly guarantees a lot of space for division in opinion.

4. Connecticut

Outbound Move Rate- 60% For some reason, once someone retires they feel the need to also move. Historically, this move is southward bound. Those living up north — in places like Connecticut — would be more likely to make a big move like this. Retirement is a huge reason why Connecticut residents are leaving. Other reasons include a variety of similar buzzwords like “lifestyle.” Some people are feeling like they just aren’t the right fit for the Connecticut day-to-day life. Of course, job opportunities are also a major reason for moving, too, just not quite as common.

3. New York

Outbound Move Rate- 63% While those leaving New York are from all over the state, New York City is of particular concern. Since the pandemic, more jobs are proving to be possible as remote positions. The tether that employment has on people to stay in their cities is held by a thread. As such, many who had moved to New York for work are now taking their higher-paying salaries and leaving for cheaper places to live. Nonetheless, many argue that New York City is alive as ever. We’ll see how this pans out in the long term.

2. Illinois

Outbound Move Rate- 67% Illinois policymakers have been particularly concerned about the exodus from the state. They’ve been doing their own research in an effort to appease residents and keep them happy and within the state. Much of the research has reflected that at least half of Illinoisans have thought about moving. Their main concern is the high taxes that the state has. Moreover, there are many concerns about housing within the state and the belief that there are better opportunities for both housing and employment.

1. New Jersey

Outbound Move Rate- 71% It seems like no one wants to live in New Jersey anymore. Not only are most of the state’s moves outward bound, the number of people moving into the state is also incredibly low. New Jersey is often the butt of many jokes made by the surrounding states. Sharing borders with both Pennsylvania and New York, the state is very close to two of the top cities in the country- Philadelphia and New York City. Most people leaving New Jersey are doing so for job opportunities…with these two cities known for their job opportunities so close nearby, the temptation is very real.