Outbound moves: 54.4%
California’s beachy, urban, outdoorsy lifestyles attract many professionals who are ready to work hard. But the State’s exorbitant housing prices and high living costs often mean they leave to settle somewhere else. The main reasons people move away include jobs, followed by retirement.
“Unlike a few decades ago, residents are leaving California instead of choosing to stay until things get better,” Michael Stoll, public policy economist at the University of California, told United Van Lines.
Wisconsin
Outbound moves: 54%
Despite Wisconsin's many charms, many of its residents are on their way up and out. The State's low cost of living and stable employment growth remains attractive, but housing prices have been rising rapidly.
Another negative is Wisconsin's long, harsh winters. In the State's entire recorded weather history, almost every year hit temperatures of at least 30 below zero in the winter, according to data from the National Weather Service. So maybe it's not unusual that more than half the people who moved away are scrambling for a warmer retirement destination.
Louisiana
Outbound moves: 54.3%
With its unique cuisine and music culture, friendly folks, and nearly endless outdoor activities, Louisiana is a very popular place for visitors. But many people are concluding that they wouldn't want to live here.
Job growth is dismal in Louisiana, and the taxes can be high: The average combined tax is second highest in the country at 9.46%, but employment increased by just 0.1% from 2018 to 2019. United Van Lines finds a staggering 70.8% of people who move out are heading to new jobs elsewhere.
Michigan
Outbound moves: 55%
Despite this State's glorious parks and miles of coastline to explore, even nature lovers are choosing to settle somewhere other than Michigan. While the State does offer employment in computers, there are even more lower-paying jobs— such as in food preparation, paying much less, reports Michigan-based Bridge Magazine.
Michigan ranks as the 7th State for "brain drain," meaning that the younger generation who may be more educated are fleeing for better opportunities elsewhere. About half the people who moved out last year said that the primary reason was work.
Montana
Outbound moves: 55%
Montana's friendly people and impressive landscapes are attracting A-listers and wealthy out-of-staters to shack up close to the mountains — but only for a holiday. The State's once low cost of living has steadily gone up. With housing difficult to find, there are few work options outside of low-paying seasonal jobs in tourism and the oil industry.
Montana also is far from America's major cities and populations. The primary reason people moved away was to be closer to family. An additional problem Montana has is its shortage of good health care, with just 2.3 doctors per 1,000 residents.