This is the No. 1 state Americans moved to in 2023—it’s not Florida (2024)

People all over the country are making big moves, whether it's to a major city for a new job or simply to wherever they can get more bang for their buck.

U-Haul recently released its Growth Index, which highlights the U.S. states that saw the largest number of movers in one-way U-Haul equipment in 2023.

The report found that for the fourth year in a row, California had the largest net loss of one-way movers.

In recent years, California has seen a mass migration out off the state — a phenomenon that people call the "California Exodus."

Between April 2020 and July 2022, The Los Angeles Times reported the number of people moving out of California was more than 700,000.

One factor is the continuously rising cost of living in California, especially in major cities like San Jose, where residents pay an average of $3,504 in monthly expenses, or 71.2% higher than the national average.

No. 1 state Americans moved to in 2023: Texas

For the sixth time in eight years, Texas is the No. 1 growth state. DIY movers accounted for 50.4% of all one-way U-Haul traffic arriving in Texas.

Texas ranked as the No. 1 state people moved to in 2023, according to U-Haul.

Yuanshuai Si | Moment | Getty Images

The Southern state has become a growing base for different industries including tech and aerospace. As of 2022, Texas leads the nation as home to the most Fortune 500 companies.

53 Fortune 500 companies have corporate headquarters in the state and Houston and Dallas are in the top five municipalities in the country, with 21 and 11 companies respectively.

Texas is considered a tax-friendly state because it does not collect any income taxes, according to SmartAssest. Instead, the state does have significant property and sales taxes.

Top 10 states people moved to in 2023

  1. Texas
  2. Florida
  3. North Carolina
  4. South Carolina
  5. Tennessee
  6. Idaho
  7. Washington
  8. Arizona
  9. Colorado
  10. Virginia

For the second year in a row Florida takes the No. 2 spot on the list. The Sunshine State has been in the top-four growth state for nine years in a row, according to U-Haul.

The last time it was in the No. 1 spot on the Growth Index was in 2019.

Similar to Texas, Florida has no state income tax and none of the cities in the state charge a local income tax.

Florida ranked as the No. 2 state people moved to in 2023, according to U-Haul.

Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images

Since residents of Florida typically enjoy a lower cost of living, it's no wonder that the state continues to attract high-income earners. The state gained the largest number of high-income workers who make at least $200,000, according to a 2023 SmartAsset report.

Despite the continuing rise in rent and house prices in Florida, it is still a state where one could potentially save money by moving there.

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This is the No. 1 state Americans moved to in 2023—it’s not Florida (2024)

FAQs

This is the No. 1 state Americans moved to in 2023—it’s not Florida? ›

Texas ranked as the No. 1 state people moved to in 2023, according to U-Haul. The Southern state has become a growing base for different industries including tech and aerospace. As of 2022, Texas leads the nation as home to the most Fortune 500 companies.

What is the most moved to state in 2023 in the USA? ›

The most moved-to states in 2023 were South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona and Florida. Among the top inbound states in the Moving Migration Report, some cities saw a higher influx of new residents than others. The top cities in 2023 include: Tucson, Arizona.

What is the #1 state people are moving to? ›

Top states people are moving to
StateOverall increase
Florida86.1%
Illinois78.3%
Texas76.8%
North Carolina74.2%
1 more row
Apr 23, 2024

Why are people moving out of Florida? ›

Florida has seen a population boom in recent years, but many longtime residents and recent transplants say rising costs and divisive politics have them fleeing the Sunshine State.

Are people still moving to Florida in 2023? ›

Key Takeaways

Florida had the highest net migration increase of all states in 2022, gaining a net population of 249,064 people. In 2023, the top three cities people moved to in Florida were Palm Bay-Melbourne, Ocala and Sarasota-Bradenton. ​​Florida recorded an 86% net gain in new businesses in 2023.

Where are Floridians moving to? ›

The No. 1 state Floridians are flocking to is Georgia! Analysts said 51,380 people moved to the Peach State in 2022, making up roughly 10.5% of all moves out of Florida. More than 327,000 people moved to Georgia in 2022, and over 15% of incoming residents were from the Sunshine State, according to the study.

What state is everyone moving to in 2024? ›

Where Are Most People Moving to in 2024? We're seeing more people move to the Southern Appalachian region, which includes states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

What state are people leaving? ›

New York and California were the top two states that had the highest number of people moving out as a share of their total number of movers. Many New Yorkers moved to cheaper states such as New Jersey where they still had the ease of commuting to work.

What is the best state to live in financially? ›

5 Best States To Live In If You Want To Get Rich
  • Texas. Texas has no state income tax for individuals, although property taxes tend to be higher than average. ...
  • Kansas. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Oklahoma.
Mar 4, 2024

Are people leaving Florida in 2024? ›

In 2024, apparently, it's all about the Carolinas — their coast, their mountains, their more temperate climate and — most importantly — their affordable cost of living, say the moving pros at PODS, who've analyzed heaps of customer data to identify the latest trends.

Are people happier when they move to Florida? ›

Florida comes in #8 overall as the happiest state.

While they are #21 in work environment and #44 in community and environment.

Why are older people leaving Florida? ›

But expensive housing isn't the only thing repelling retirees from the state. Inflation and stock market dips have also negatively impacted their financial situation. In response, seniors are seeking more affordable places to call home.

Why is Florida getting so populated? ›

The increases in Florida — the nation's third most populous state — were fueled by rapid growth in select metro areas in the state during that period (Figure 1).

What is the most moved out of state in 2023? ›

Illinois, Michigan and California were among the top states with a high percentage of outbound moves in 2023. Additionally, North Dakota and Kansas saw an influx of people move out of state. For the sixth consecutive year, New Jersey had the most residents leave than any other state.

What will happen to Florida in 20 years? ›

By 2060: Nearly 3-foot rise possible in South Florida

Large parts of the Everglades are less than three feet above the high water mark. In 2020 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection warned that “existing sources of water will not adequately meet the reasonable beneficial needs for the next 20 years.”

What is the best state to live in 2023? ›

Researchers at the personal finance publication ranked the 50 states based on scores in five categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Massachusetts topped 2023's list, scoring 61 out of 100. New Jersey came in second.

What are the top states to live in 2023? ›

Massachusetts topped 2023's list, scoring 61 out of 100. New Jersey came in second. New Hampshire, New York, and Wyoming fill out the rest of the top five states to live in, in that order. Several Southern states – Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, among others – rounded out the bottom of WalletHub's rankings.

What state is booming? ›

Top 12 Fastest-Growing US States (by percentage growth rate):
StateGrowth Since 2020
Idaho7.63%
South Carolina6.47%
Florida6.41%
Texas5.96%
6 more rows

What is the biggest state in 2023? ›

Although its 50 states vary widely in size, one is by far the biggest: Alaska. At 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square km), it is more than double the size of the second largest state, Texas, and more than 400 times the size of the smallest, Rhode Island.

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