A National Movers Study reveals that 62% of all tracked relocations in New Jersey in 2025 were people heading for the exit.
This marks a long-term trend where high-cost markets are losing their grip on residents who are tired of the financial squeeze. While many assume that people move mostly for the weather, the numbers suggest that taxes and housing prices are the real drivers. Families are no longer willing to trade a massive portion of their paycheck just to keep a specific zip code on their driver’s license.
Most people do not realize that migration patterns are shifting away from traditional powerhouses toward states that offer more breathing room. We are seeing a new map of America where the “middle” is no longer just a place to fly over, but a destination for those seeking stability. It is a massive population reshuffling that affects everything from local schools to the federal tax base.
New Jersey
New Jersey has now spent eight straight years at the very top of the outbound list. According to the United Van Lines 2025 National Movers Study, 62.3% of all moves in the state were people packing up and leaving. This makes the Garden State the national leader in outmigration for nearly a decade.
Most people do not realize that, while the population remains stable due to international arrivals, residents leaving are often the ones with the highest incomes. Wealthier retirees are trading the high property taxes of the Northeast for the tax-friendly climate of the South. It is a persistent trend that continues to put pressure on the state budget.
Illinois
Illinois remains in the top tier of outbound states with 60% of moves tracked as outbound in the 2024 United Van Lines study. The situation is especially lopsided in specific metro areas like Springfield, where a staggering 69% of moves were people leaving. High tax burdens and a search for better career opportunities elsewhere are the primary reasons cited by those on the move.
Many residents feel that the cost of living no longer matches the services provided by the state. This has led to a chronic exit of families who are looking for a fresh start in more affordable regions like Texas or Florida.
New York
New York has faced sustained exit pressure for over five years, according to the 2024 National Movers Study. Even as the initial shock of recent global events fades, the state continues to see more people leave than arrive. A 2026 recap by Realtor.com found that taxes and the pull of family in other states are the main reasons people are saying goodbye.
A New York agent noted that many clients leaving in 2025 were also driven by retirement and job relocations. The state remains on the high-outbound list because the high price of real estate makes it difficult for many to justify staying.
California
California continues to be an exit state with one of the lowest in-to-out move ratios in the nation. A 2025 moveBuddha analysis cited by CNBC shows that high living costs and natural disaster risks are still pushing residents out. While the rate of people leaving has slowed slightly from previous highs, the state still saw 58% outbound moves in recent tracking.
Most people do not realize that the high price of housing is now combined with a rising unemployment rate in certain sectors. This creates a perfect storm that makes other states like Idaho or Nevada look much more attractive to young professionals and families.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is another high-cost state that Americans are eager to leave behind. It has appeared on the top outbound list for five straight years, according to data from United Van Lines. A 2026 analysis from FOX also highlights that cost of living and taxes are the recurring themes for those moving away.
Even with a strong job market in tech and healthcare, the price of a standard home is out of reach for many. Harsh winters and high utility costs also play a role in the decision to move to warmer, cheaper climates. It is a place where many feel they are working just to pay the bills.
Michigan
Michigan recorded 58% outbound moves in recent studies, placing it firmly among the states losing residents. While some parts of the Midwest are seeing a slow recovery, Michigan continues to send more people out than it attracts. The 2026 migration trends reported by The Street show that economic shifts are still the main driver of this pattern.
Many young adults are leaving for the Sun Belt, where they find a wider range of employment options. Despite local efforts to keep talent in the state, the outbound flow remains strong. It is a reminder that job growth and affordability must go hand in hand.
North Dakota
North Dakota saw a big jump into the outbound column recently, moving from 18th place to 3rd in a single year. The 2024 United Van Lines study showed that over 55% of moves were outbound, proving the previous year’s spike was not a fluke. Most people do not realize that the boom-and-bust cycle of the energy industry often dictates the population flow here.
When the job market cools off, people are quick to pack their bags for more stable regions. The harsh climate also makes it a difficult place for those who are not tied to a specific local industry. It is a state currently struggling to keep its workforce.
Wyoming
Wyoming shifted from a balanced state to a high outbound state in 2024. The data from United Van Lines shows that 57% of moves in the state were people heading for the exit. In Cheyenne, the situation is even more extreme, with 73% of tracked moves being outbound.
This is one of the most lopsided flows in the entire country for a metro area. People are leaving the rural areas of the state for larger cities that offer more amenities and a more diverse job market. While it offers plenty of space, it seems that space alone is not enough to keep the current population from looking elsewhere.
Mississippi
Mississippi has rapidly climbed the ranks of states people want to leave. It jumped from 18th place in 2023 to 8th in 2024, with more than 55% of moves being outbound. A 2026 news summary suggests that economic and quality-of-life issues are now pushing residents out of the Deep South just as much as the coasts.
People are looking for better schools and more reliable infrastructure, which they feel are lacking in their home state. This rise into the top outbound list shows that affordability is not the only factor in where Americans choose to live. It is a clear sign that people want more from their local government.
Nebraska
Nebraska joined the top outbound list in 2024 after rising from 13th place the year before. Around 56% of moves in the state were people going out rather than coming in. Lincoln shows a particularly lopsided pattern where 59% of moves were outbound, according to United Van Lines.
A 2026 report from News from the States notes that the lack of high-paying career opportunities is a primary concern. Even though the population is rising slightly due to other factors, the domestic exit is a red flag for local leaders. Many qualified workers feel they have to leave the state to find the salary they deserve.
Connecticut
Connecticut frequently appears on lists of states that residents are leaving behind. High property taxes and expensive housing are the most common complaints for those who choose to move. According to 2025 migration data from Data Haven, the state struggles to keep middle-class families who are looking for a lower cost of living.
It is one of the few states that taxes Social Security and other retirement income, which pushes seniors to move south. This creates a situation where the state is losing both its youth and its experienced workforce. The exit pressure remains a constant challenge for the local economy and the housing market.
Maryland
Maryland has seen a consistent flow of residents leaving for neighboring states with lower taxes. The 2025 United Van Lines study flagged Hagerstown as a metro with an 88% outbound rate, which is one of the highest in the nation. Many people find they can work in the same region while saving thousands by living across the state line.
High costs in the suburbs around the nation’s capital are a major factor in these moving decisions. While the state has a high median income, the high cost of daily life cancels out many of the benefits. It is a place where many feel the financial burden is just too heavy.
Louisiana
Louisiana is seeing more people leave as they search for better economic stability and safety. Homicide rates in areas like Orleans Parish have risen significantly, making some residents eager for a change of scenery. People are moving toward the Sun Belt for better jobs and a higher quality of life.
The state’s vulnerability to natural disasters also plays a hidden role in people’s decision to sell their homes. Insurance costs are skyrocketing, making it more expensive to own property even if the initial price is low. It is a complex set of problems that is driving the outbound trend.
Ohio
Ohio continues to be a state that sends more residents out than it attracts from other parts of the country. While some cities are trying to reinvent themselves, the overall data shows a steady outbound flow. Many young professionals leave the state after graduation to find work in larger tech hubs or coastal cities.
They are often grouped with other Midwest states that are struggling to maintain their share of the population. High utility costs and cold winters are often cited as secondary reasons for leaving. It remains a state that is working hard to prove it can offer the same opportunities as the growing South.
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