What to Know
- New Jersey, New York and Connecticut were the most moved from states in 2017, according to United Van Lines
- The study reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states
- Movers cited cheaper housing costs, more temperate climates and job growth as primary reasons for moving
People are continuing to flee the tri-state area and heading west, according to tracking statistics from the moving company United Van Lines.
The surburban St. Louis-based moving company has released its 41st annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers' state-to-state migration patterns.
New Jersey, New York and Connecticut rank among the top outbound states in moves for the third consecutive year: 61 percent of moves in New Jersey are outbound, 61 percent in New York and 57 percent in Connecticut.
Economist and UCLA professor Michael Stoll says the data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average.
The Mountain West was the most popular destination for retirees, with 1 in 4 movers saying they were heading there for retirement. The Midtwest and Pacific West were top areas for those taking new jobs.
Across all regions, nearly one in five of those who moved in 2017 moved to be closer to family.
Local
United Van Lines classifies states as "high inbound" if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, "high outbound" if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or "balanced" if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible.
Here's the list as released by United Van Lines:
Moving In
The top inbound states of 2017 were:
- Vermont
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Washington
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Colorado
- Alabama
New to the 2017 top inbound list are Colorado at No. 9 and Alabama at No. 10 with 56 and 55 percent inbound moves, respectively.
Moving Out
The top outbound states for 2017 were:
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New York
- Connecticut
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Utah
- Wisconsin
Illinois (63 percent) moved up one spot on the outbound list to No. 1, ranking in the top five for the past nine years. New Jersey previously held the top spot for 5 consecutive years. New additions to the 2017 top outbound list include Massachusetts (56 percent) and Wisconsin (55 percent).
Balanced
Several states gained approximately the same number of residents as those that left. This list of “balanced” states includes Nebraska and New Hampshire.
