Outbound moves: 49.2%
As America’s smallest State is having difficulty keeping residents within its 1,200 square miles, we all may wonder why that is? Rhode Islanders say decent work can be hard to come by — and you can’t stay here unless you can find one.
“I love Rhode Island, but it’s pricey,” says a Reddit user called mooscaretaker. “Taxes are too high, and so is the cost of living — make sure you have a job prior to moving.”
Alabama
Total Outbound moves: 44.5%
The Heart of Dixie is the place to be for an affordable lifestyle. The average spending of couples on healthcare is 4.4 less than in other states; income tax is from 2 to 5 percent, and Social Security benefits are not taxed.
According to Kiplinger, the state sales tax is quite high and even applies to food. The weather can be unpredictable in spring and the month of November, with plenty of rain and thunderstorms. Like other southern states, Alabama gets very hot in the summer months. Keep in mind that south Alabama is warmer than the north.
Indiana
Total Outbound moves: 52.1%
The Hoosier State has one of the lowest costs of living, 15 percent lower than the U.S. average, which means residents can save a lot on essentials like food and housing. Compare that to California or Hawaii, and you'll see that your money can go a lot further there. There are a lively art scene and plenty of outdoor activities to do in spring and summer.
Despite the low cost of living, Indiana is better for residents who saved their pennies because the annual income is way below the national average (21.4 percent more economical).
Mississippi
Outbound moves: 49.4%
Mississippi offers not only a great music scene but also Gulf Coast beaches and delicious Southern comfort foods. But what the State doesn't have is a myriad of job options. Unemployment is rampant here is and ranks as the highest in the nation: 5.4% during 2019, when the national rate was just 3.5%.
Mississippians like to say, "See y'all later," in search of greener pastures. But that's not the only explanation for them to leave. "It gets very HOT in Mississippi," wrote Tom H. "There are tons of mosquitoes and biting flies too. Wonderful folks, but terrible conditions."
Arkansas
Outbound moves: 49.7%
Arkansas is renowned for its incredible parks and wildlife reserves, as well as its weather, being in the central Tornado Alley of the U.S. But regarding the job market, Arkansas doesn't give many people a good enough case to stay: Over 7% of those who pack their belongings into moving vans say they leave in search of work.
The Washington Post reported last year that the State became the first to require Medicaid recipients to hold jobs, which meant that thousands lost their health insurance in the months that followed. Clearly, Arkansas doesn't have enough work to go around.