The chairs are loaded, the moving vans are gassed up, and Suffolk County residents are movin’ on out.
Nassau and Suffolk are third in the top five of ‘outbound’ counties with 76% of people who are moving, moving out of the County as opposed to another residence within the County.
United Van Lines' 48th Annual National Movers Study reveals a shift in U.S. migration trends as economic pressures drive people toward more affordable, less densely populated regions.
New York State is third among states with the most outbound moves with 59% of all moves being people moving out of the state. New York is behind New Jersey and Illinois. The top five outbound states are all Democrat-led.
In New York, people leaving are disproportionally of higher incomes with 46.60% of people moving out of New York making over $150,000 and 24% with incomes between $100-149,000. As these families move, their tax revenue for the state moves with them.
The report shows that West Virginia was the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (66%). West Virginia is known for its range of outdoor activities, affordable housing, and lower cost of living compared to the national average.
Americans moving are seeking economic relief without sacrificing quality of life, reflecting a growing presence for less dense, more affordable regions. The top reasons for moving are to be closer to family, cost of living, retirement, and lifestyle change.
“The annual study highlights how economic disruptions, including inflation and a nationwide housing affordability crisis, are reshaping where and why Americans choose to move,” United Van Lines Vice President of Corporate Communications Eily Cummings said. “Movers are discovering that there are numerous cities and regions where they can achieve both economic relief and a rich, rewarding life experience.”
Sunbelt states like South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas are gaining traction as residents flee urban centers with rising costs and shrinking opportunities according to the report.
West Virginia leads in inbound migration, while New Jersey tops the outbound list for the seventh consecutive year. The migration shift highlights Americans' search for a balance between financial stability and quality of life in less expensive areas.
“Recent migration data from United Van Lines continues to reveal the lingering influences of the global pandemic,” said Michael A. Stoll, Economist and Professor in The Department of Public Policy at The University of California, Los Angeles. “As housing costs continue to rise, Americans are moving to lower density, more affordable regions between expensive, economic-driving states.”
Since 1977, United Van Lines annually tracks migration patterns on a state-by-state basis. The 2024 study is based on household moves within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., and ranks states based on the inbound and outbound percentages of total moves in each state. States are classified as “high inbound” if 55% or more of the moves are going into a state, and “high outbound” if 55% or more moves are coming out of a state.