The latest moving statistics show that the rate increased slightly from previous years, breaking the downward trend. The question many people are asking is, “Where are they moving and why?”
Moves in State
Less than 20 percent of Americans move from one state to another. That means that nearly 80 percent of moves are made within the same state, often within the same town or county. It’s easy to guess the reasons for these moves, which are many:
- A new job
- Marriage
- Expanding the family
- Downsizing
- Getting closer to family
- Improved quality of life
As one might expect, adults with aging parents frequently want to move nearer to help with their care. Young couples starting families often choose to move to a more child-friendly neighborhood with single-family homes.
Empty nesters tend to give up their homes for the convenience of apartment living. Lastly, college graduates respond to the appeal of the big city, which offers plenty to see and do.
Infographic provided by Move Central, a top San Diego moving company
Out-of-State Moves
While the majority of people are moving within the same state, plenty of others are making a bigger move to another state, sometimes even across the country. Midwesterners frequently move to the big cities on the East or West Coasts. Meanwhile, Southerners tend to head up north or Northerners down South for a quieter life.
One of the main reasons people move to another state is for their jobs. They are sometimes transferred and relocated by the same company or find a new job in a different state. While these are the main reasons for people to make a big move, a new reason is gaining popularity.
Thanks to technology, many workers can live and work without being tied to a city or state (aside from taxes). Even rural areas now have high-speed internet, which allows people to work online from almost anywhere. These people often move to states with lower costs of living or more laid-back lifestyles.
Major City Growth
While many people are moving away from the cities for a lower cost of living and reduced stress, others are moving into the cities for a more lively scene. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area saw a growth of over 400,000 from 2020 to 2023.
The Houston area came in second with nearly 350K more residents. Austin rounds out the top five with an increase of almost 175K. San Antonio’s population increased by over 135K, making it the fourth Texas metropolitan area to be in the top ten for most growth.
Florida had similar results, with three metro areas in the top ten, including Tampa-St. Petersburg. Orlando-Kissimmee had 137,000 more residents in 2023 than in 2020. Jacksonville also gained another 100,000 residents.
These moving statistics show that the largest cities still have plenty to draw in new residents. California and New York have seen their numbers decline in recent years. Over 100,000 Californians moved to Texas, and nearly that many left New York in favor of Florida.
By region, the South saw a bigger increase than any other. The Northeast saw the biggest decline, likely accelerated by the winter weather and high cost of living.
These moving statistics indicate that more people are willing to give up their homes and jobs for a better way of life. Technology plays a key role in these decisions, thanks to the increase in remote work opportunities for salaried workers and independent contractors.
Reasons to Move
The US Census Bureau asked people who recently moved to a new residence the reason for the move. The reasons were broken down into four categories: housing, family, employment, and others. Even though housing was the main reason for moves in 2021 and 2022, the percentage decreased while the percentage of moves for family-related reasons increased.
For those who moved because of housing, the number one reason was for newer or better homes. The second reason was to own instead of renting their home. Cheaper housing and safer neighborhoods were also cited as reasons for the move.
As for people who moved for family, they noted reasons for doing so included establishing their household or a change in marital status. If employment was the reason for the move, it was due to a new job or a transfer, while others chose to move for an easier commute or because they were retired.
other related articles of interest:
7 Essential Tips For Stress-Free Moving
How To Correctly Inspect The Apartment (And Building) Before Moving In
In the latter category, the reasons included leaving or attending college, for health, a change of climate, and due to a natural disaster.
If you’re thinking about greener pastures, you may find these moving trends helpful to determine if it’s a good time for you to make a move of your own.
Since more people aren’t limited by careers to decide where they want to live, it won’t be surprising to see unusual trends continue as Americans seek to move to improve their quality of life.
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Image credit: moving trends by envato.com
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