The Country's Top 10 Most Popular Moving Routes - Five of Them Originate from California

According to a recent analysis by StorageCafe, the top states in the country for attracting new residents through domestic migration are predominantly located in the south. The states of Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, Arizona, and Georgia are among the top 10, with significant amounts of incoming migration.

A deeper investigation is triggered into the sources of these recent inhabitants and the reasons behind the increasing trend of state-to-state migration within the United States.

Here, you have the opportunity to investigate the top 10 moving routes between states in the country. This information is based on the most recent data from the U.S. Census. Additionally, we will also examine some of the reasons that may be motivating individuals to relocate and transport their possessions over long distances.

1. A large number of people, approximately 100,000, are moving from California to Texas.

In 2022, approximately 100,000 individuals from California made the decision to relocate to Texas, making it the busiest route nationally for several years. This choice is unsurprising considering the benefits that Texas offers. Not only are homes in the Lone Star State, on average, 62% less expensive, but it is also a state with no income tax. The average age of those moving from California to Texas is 32, and nearly 29% of these newcomers have a bachelor's degree or higher. An impressive 56% of these individuals become homeowners within their first year in Texas, confirming the notion that the main motivation for their move is the affordability of housing.

2. 90,000 people moved from New York to Florida

According to recent statistics, the second most popular relocation route nationwide is from New York to Florida. In a span of one year, a staggering 90,000 former New Yorkers have chosen to leave their home state for the sunny beaches of Florida. The average age of individuals taking this route is approximately 40 years old, which is significantly higher than the average age of individuals migrating from California to Texas. This suggests that a large portion of the migrants are retirees. It is estimated that about half of these individuals purchase a new home within their first year in Florida, taking advantage of the 13% lower home prices compared to their state of origin. Additionally, the state's thriving self-storage industry makes the relocation process even smoother, as the average cost of renting a self-storage unit in Florida is approximately $121 per month.

3. 75,000 People Moved from New York to New Jersey

In 2022, over 75,000 individuals relocated from New York to New Jersey, ranking it as the third most popular moving destination in the United States. The demographic of those migrating from New York to New Jersey differs greatly from those choosing to move to Florida. They tend to be much younger, with an average age of 33, and nearly half, 43%, fall into the millennial age group. Additionally, a significant 49% of these individuals hold a bachelor's degree and have a personal income averaging above $80,000. This portrays a picture of young professionals moving to New Jersey to counter the high cost of living in New York City.

4. 75,000 People Move from California to Arizona

In 2022, nearly 75,000 individuals from California relocated to Arizona, a state renowned for its thriving economy and affordable housing prices (in comparison to California). The average age of those who chose to relocate was 36 years, and almost half of them (47%) purchased homes within their first year in Arizona. Given that housing prices in Arizona are 44% lower than in their original state, it is safe to say that they made a wise decision.

5. 52,000 People Moved from California to Washington State

According to preference rankings, Washington state is the third most desired destination for Californians who are relocating. In the year 2022, approximately 52,000 Californians made the move to the Evergreen state. The average age of these movers is 34 years old, and 40% of them hold at least a bachelor's degree. This could indicate that their primary reason for moving is to advance their professional opportunities. Additionally, they can take advantage of a real estate market that is 21% cheaper than in California.

51,000 People Moved from New York to Connecticut

One of the top six busiest moving routes in the country is the route from New York to Connecticut. This state has a high number of job opportunities due to its large retired population, as reported by WSHU News. The average age of individuals moving from New York to Connecticut is 33, and 38% of them have at least a bachelor's degree. Within their first year of relocation, nearly two-thirds of these individuals have purchased a home in Connecticut, taking advantage of a real estate market that is 13% cheaper than their home state.

7. Migration of 50,000 people from Florida to Georgia

Despite being successful in attracting and retaining new residents, Florida has seen an increase of 238K people leaving the state through migration alone in 2022. Many of these individuals are choosing to move to Georgia, a neighboring state that boasts similar economic opportunities, pleasant and sunny weather, and more affordable housing options at a 16% lower cost.

8. 49,000 People Move from California to Florida

In 2022, the route from California to Florida was traveled by a total of 49,000 individuals, ranking it as the eighth most popular route in the country. The average age of these movers is approximately 38 years old, and a notable 17% of them are currently remote workers. Due to the lower cost of homes in Florida (51% cheaper compared to California), it is likely that these individuals are now residing in larger homes than their previous ones. Furthermore, 56% of them were able to purchase their own homes within their first year of moving to Florida.

9. 46.9K people relocated from New Jersey to Florida

Among the top 10 busiest routes in the country, this particular one stands out as the most popular among baby boomers who are currently relocating. Out of the estimated 47,000 movers, about 26% belong to this generation, indicating that they are either nearing retirement or have already retired. It is noteworthy that a significant number of them, specifically 45%, have chosen to settle in Florida by purchasing a home within their first year of moving to the state.

10. The number of people moving from California to Nevada is 46.6K.

The top 10 most popular moving routes in the country include California to Nevada. The average age of those who chose to relocate from CA to NV is 43, indicating that many are approaching retirement. Nearly 47% of these individuals purchased a home upon moving to Nevada, likely due to the housing market being almost 40% more affordable than their previous state.

The routes depicted in this data illustrate the changing preferences, economic possibilities, and constantly evolving nature of American society. Analyzing these patterns offers a glimpse into the continuous transformations that shape the demographic makeup of our country.