Mapped: The States Americans Are Fleeing—and Moving To

visualcapitalist ^ | 06/16/2026 | Niccolo Conte

[know.your.why]

Key Takeaways

North Carolina attracted more domestic movers than any other state in 2025, gaining 84,100 residents from elsewhere in the U.S.

California (-229,100) and New York (-137,600) remained the nation’s largest sources of domestic outmigration.

While Sun Belt states still dominated migration gains, several Midwestern states posted positive inflows as affordability pressures spread across previously hot markets.

[ConjunctionJunction]

Surprising that Washington is up

[Sequoyah101]

Why Oklahoma? Got to be one of the most backward states in the nation. They specialize in stupid.

[MayflowerMadam]

I was kidding about TN (”it stinks here”). It’s actually great. I was trying to discourage people coming and overpopulating.

When we lived in a subdivision, the man a couple of houses down was the self-appointed Welcome Wagon. When he noticed new families moving in with non-TN license plates, he’d pay a quick visit.

“Welcome to the neighborhood. Don’t bring your liberal politics here. If you do, just remember that you’re not wanted.” It turned out that most — maybe all — were moving here because they were not liberals.

[Wallace T.]

How many of these outmigrants from liberal states are retirees looking for lower taxes and warmer weather and how many are job seekers hoping for better chances in more conservative states? The majority of the Boomers have retired, and the smaller Gen X contingent is not yet at retirement. Florida has historically drawn retirees from the Northeastern and Great Lakes states, so that probably explains the slowdown in growth. North Carolina and Tennessee may be a substitute for retirees from the North due to lower real estate costs but corporate relocations are a factor as well.

2021 was unusual because of COVID and the big outmigration from liberal states that year was due to harsher restrictions in those states.

[DeplorableTrumpSupporter]

What surprised me is Mississippi lost 917 citizens while Bama increased 23,400. I wonder what the difference between them are. Louisiana is another state that lost people...

Vermont lost 726, yet New Hampshire and Maine increased...

[Fireone]

Yes, all good points. I should have mentioned the risk factor of all you listed, plus those incessant TRUMP boat parades every weekend, and some weekdays.
That alone should be enough to keep most enlightened leftists far away. Thank you for the insight!

[Vaduz]

Visit California you’ll change you mind about that.

[Wallace T.]

Neither Mississippi nor Louisiana are attracting corporate relocations due to the undesirable conditions of cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Jackson. Alabama has problems with Montgomery, but there are cities like Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile that are financially doing well. North Alabama is also closer to Atlanta and Nashville, and this location helps business connections and synergy. Louisiana has a somewhat unfriendly tax structure as well. Climate is another factor. North Alabama is the tail end of Appalachia, but the other two states lack either the mountainous country or a lot of Gulf frontage that is suitable for people looking to retire, the Biloxi area of Mississippi excepted.

As for Vermont losing people vs. New Hampshire and Maine, Vermont is especially business unfriendly and further to the left than the other two (though oddly enough, firearms friendly). If you were trying to escape leftist governance in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, but wanted to stay close to family and friends, Vermont is not an option. New Hampshire, with no income tax, is attractive. Maine is somewhat less so, but it appears to be less politically crazy than the home of Bernie Sanders.

[chickenlips]

Oh my! I forgot about the Trump boat parades and the coastal inundation their wakes cause. Fortunately no one has been struck by the celebratory gunfire from the boats. Thanks for the reminder.

Do you have monitor lizards in your area yet? I’m seeing less poisonous cane toads since they have invaded my area. If they don’t get the grandkids they may end up being a positive thing.

[damper99]

North Carolina is quickly becoming a deep blue democrat hell hole. Charlotte is as corrupt as NYC.

[wjcsux]

Actually, Mrs. wjcsux and I are seriously considering relocating there. My X (who I get along with well) is from Murfreesboro. I wasn’t too keen on the area when I was in my early 30’s, looking great now.

[Fireone]

I haven’t seen one yet, but the Halpatiokee Park, near me, has had a couple sightings.