In 2021, where and why did Americans move?

There are some interesting insights in the latest National Movers Study from United Van Lines, which is the 45th edition of the report. The study shares not only the company’s exclusive data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns but also captures the motivations and influences for these moves. Let's dig into a few of the interesting revelations captured in the report.

The "where" of it: departure and destinations

When it comes to sheer volume, these states had the most moves into them: Florida (13,201), Texas (12,358) and California (10,875). But when it comes to the percentage of inbound versus outbound, these states were at the top: Vermont (74% inbound), South Dakota (69% inbound), and South Carolina and West Virginia (63%). 

These states had the greatest number of moves out of them: California (15,836), Texas (10,357) and Florida (7,978). The states with the greatest percentage of outgoing volume were: New Jersey (71%), Illinois (67%) and New York (63%). New Jersey has held this top spot for the last four years. Nine of the top 10 outbound states are considered densely populated, further illustrating the shift to less crowded states. 

The "why" of it: reasons for moving

Elements playing into the movement are a desire to leave high-density areas due to concern for infection, a desire to leave high-cost locations and gain a change in lifestyle and improved financial situation, and the ability to do this because of the transformation of how we are able and willing to let employees have more flexibility to work remotely.

This year’s survey results indicated that 31.8% of Americans who moved did so in order to be closer to family – a new trend coming out of the pandemic as priorities and lifestyle choices shift. Additionally, 32.5% of Americans moved for a new job or job transfer, a significant decrease from 2015, when more than 60% of Americans cited a job or transfer.

Check out which states ranked highest for these reasons:

• Top states where people went to retire: Florida, South Carolina, Arizona
• Top states where people went for lifestyle change: Idaho, Florida, Maine
• Top states where people went to be closer to family: Michigan, New Jersey, Kansas
• Top states where people went for a new job: Washington D.C., Louisiana, California
• Top states people moved to for health/personal reasons: New Jersey, Illinois, New York
• Top states people moved to for improved cost of living: South Carolina, Tennessee, Wyoming

Per information sent to Plus Relocation by Unigroup, “This new data from United Van Lines is indicative of COVID-19’s impact on domestic migration patterns, with 2021 bringing an acceleration of moves to smaller, midsized towns and cities,” Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, said. “We’re seeing this not only occur because of Americans’ desire to leave high density areas due to risk of infection, but also due to the transformation of how we’re able to work, with more flexibility to work remote.”

To view the entire 2021 study and interactive map, please visit the United Van Lines website.