Americans are on the move in 2025, and the population shifts are reshaping the U.S. map. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that some states have experienced significant population declines. For instance, over 75,000 residents of California departed in 2023, with more than 100,000 residents of New York departing during the same period.
Economic change, high cost of living, and higher taxes drive this trend. Numerous departure states face challenges such as unaffordable housing and slow job growth. Conversely, low-tax and low-cost-housing states are attracting newcomers. This article identifies nine states people are fleeing in 2025 and the reasons why.
California
California’s flight continues at an astounding pace. The Golden State lost 239,575 residents to other states in the U.S. during 2023-2024, according to Census data. That is equivalent to the number of people of Orlando moving elsewhere in a single year.
The reason is not hard to figure out. A typical California home costs nearly three times the national average. Add the country’s highest taxes, and what Texas or Florida offers looks pretty sweet. Yes, California still attracts migrants from abroad and experiences natural growth, but domestic migration is also evident—people are moving within the state.
What’s interesting is that California transplants aren’t necessarily transplanting to flee costs. They’re searching for a different lifestyle.
New York
The Empire State saw 120,917 of its people leave for internal migration in the latest Census count. That’s roughly the size of Syracuse announcing they’d rather go out and see what was available.
New York has a perfect storm of issues. Expensive housing in Manhattan can make your eyes water, and state taxes take a significant bite out of salaries. The United Van Lines 2024 survey found that about 59% of New York movers moved out of the state altogether. People are relocating to Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas, where their dollars stretch further.
But here’s the fascinating part—New York is still a draw for so many of these newbies, especially young professionals chasing their dreams in finance, media, and tech. The problem is they can’t match the number of settled residents who’ve decided they’re out of the hustle and the price.
Illinois
The Prairie State lost 56,235 people in net domestic migration, continuing a trend that has been years in the making. Illinois has been hemorrhaging people like a bucket with holes in it, and 2025 isn’t going to stop the leaks.
Chicago winters can be wretched, but the real cold front confronting residents is financial. Property taxes remain the highest in the nation, and budget problems at the state level have residents questioning whether they will be paying higher taxes in the future. It’s an arithmetic equation for many Illinois families that they can get more for their buck in Tennessee or North Carolina.
The United Van Lines survey always has Illinois among the top outbound states. When they’re moving out, they’re typically seeking warmer weather, lower taxes, or better job opportunities in growing Sunbelt cities.
New Jersey
For the seventh consecutive year, New Jersey is at number one in the United Van Lines outbound list. An astonishing 67 percent of all New Jersey moves were people moving out of state. It’s like a “Going Out of Business” sale, but rather it’s an entire state.
New Jerseyans have some of the highest property taxes in the nation, at $9,413 per year. The exodus is not for money. Quality of life concerns are the number one reasons New Jersey transplants cite: traffic, crowded schools, and the stress of living in one of America’s most densely populated areas. They’re trading being close to New York City for elbow room.
Massachusetts
The Bay State continues to appear on outbound migration lists, and 2024 data reveals why. Despite its fantastic schools and medical facilities, Massachusetts struggles to retain residents who are pushed out of the American Dream by high expenses.
Boston’s property market rivals that of San Francisco in terms of affordability. Young career professionals start there and quickly discover they’ll never be able to own a house with a yard to raise children. They pack up talent and experience in Austin, Raleigh, or Denver.
The price of living in the state extends to more than housing. Gas and groceries cost more in Massachusetts, which combined to place a burden on families that compels them to seek alternative arrangements.
North Dakota
Here’s a twist nobody ever predicted. North Dakota, which experienced significant growth in the wake of oil industry expansion, is now ranked sixth as a state from which people are fleeing, according to United Van Lines statistics. The rural nature of the state and its harsh weather have long posed challenges, but economic changes have exacerbated these issues.
Younger generations, especially, are opting for more diverse cities with cultural offerings over North Dakota. If your top entertainment options are driving an hour to dine at a not-bad restaurant, the appeal of places like Nashville or Phoenix is obvious.
The boom in oil ushered in temporary prosperity. Still, as the oil market settles down and remote work generates jobs elsewhere, many North Dakotans are discovering that they prefer to reside elsewhere, with milder winters and more varied employment opportunities.
Wyoming
Wyoming’s inclusion on the list of places leaving is a more significant reflection of changing trends in how Americans choose where to live. The state’s low population, once considered peaceful and spacious, now seems isolating to many who seek career opportunities and a sense of community.
Scarce medical facilities, limited recreational spaces, and severe weather conditions create a quality of life equation that doesn’t add up for most families. College-educated young adults frequently never return, carrying their talent to brighter states with broader economies.
Wyoming’s natural beauty remains, but it doesn’t provide the career advancement that many professionals seek in their highest income years.
Mississippi
Mississippi’s ranking at #8 on the 2024 list of states from which people are moving is a stark change. Historically, Southern states have been destinations for migration; however, Mississippi suggests that geography alone is insufficient to ensure population growth.
Limited economic prospects, especially for educated workers, encourage many people from Mississippi to find improved opportunities elsewhere. The state’s infrastructure problems and lower overall wages create a context in which motivated individuals tend to decide that their futures lie elsewhere.
The brain drain disproportionately affects Mississippi. When the brightest and best head to Atlanta, Austin, or Charlotte, it becomes harder to develop a diversified economy and reverse the trend.
Nebraska
The state built a reputation for being a steady player in economic growth and had a reasonable cost of living, but obviously, that’s not sufficient to satisfy everyone.
Young professionals typically find Nebraska’s economy restrictive, particularly in high-tech or creative fields. Although Omaha offers some city amenities, it lacks the opportunities and cultural attractions of larger urban areas.
Climate contributes as well. Nebraska’s winters are not as intense as those in North Dakota, but they are still cold enough to drive some residents to fantasize about golf weather year-round in states like Arizona or Florida.
Key takeaway
Population shifts in 2025 reflect deepening cleavages in affordability, economic opportunities, and living standards across the U.S. The highly taxed, costly housing, and economically struggling states are losing residents to more affordable, increasingly prosperous states in the South and West. Natural decrease and aging populations fuel decline in some places.
Knowledge of these trends enables policymakers and residents to better cope with changing demographics and regional needs. The state’s demographic map will continue shifting as Americans seek better living standards and economic prosperity.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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