Every year, millions of people make the decision to move across states, provinces, or even continents. But where are they going? And what’s driving these decisions?
The 2024 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Study dives into the data, revealing which locations attracted the most movers this year and why work, family, and affordability are shaping the migration map. Let’s take a look.
Top Inbound States: Where Are People Heading?
Some states emerged as clear winners in attracting new residents. The top 10 inbound states of 2024 include:
- Arkansas
- Rhode Island
- North Carolina
- Washington, D.C.
- Idaho
- Tennessee
- Maine
- Connecticut
- Washington
- Alaska
Among these, Arkansas stands out, with an impressive 65% of moves classified as inbound. This aligns with trends showing people relocating for work, as Arkansas is home to major employers like Walmart, which has mandated a return to the office.
North Carolina continues its streak as an inbound favorite, maintaining over a decade of popularity. With its mix of affordability, quality of life, and job opportunities, the state exemplifies the reasons many Americans are packing up and heading south.
Top Outbound States: Where Are People Leaving?
Some states, however, saw more residents leaving than arriving. The top outbound states in 2024 include:
- Louisiana
- California
- Illinois
- South Dakota
- New York
Notably, California’s return to the outbound list after two balanced years highlights the increasing challenge of affordability in the state. Illinois and New York, perennial fixtures on the outbound list, continue to see residents depart, often citing high costs of living and tax burdens.
The Why Behind the Move
For the first time, Atlas supplemented its data with a survey of over 1,100 recent movers to explore their motivations. The top three reasons for relocating in 2024 were:
- Work opportunities (32%): Job relocations remain a key driver, particularly as return-to-office mandates increase.
- Proximity to friends and family (25%): Social connections are a major factor for many movers, especially as people seek to reestablish roots post-pandemic.
- Affordability (10%): Rising costs of living and housing are pushing people toward states where their money stretches further.
Additional reasons for the remaining 33% include: climate/weather, safety, relationship changes, education, retirement, and health reasons.
The “Lock-In Effect” Lingered in 2024
While some states experienced significant movement, the 2024 study revealed a record number of “balanced” states—those with an even inflow and outflow of movers. This trend, combined with the lowest number of outbound states in five years, suggests many Americans are staying put, likely due to the “lock-in effect.” Homeowners with low mortgage rates remained reluctant to sell in 2024, creating a bottleneck in housing inventory and driving prices higher.
Beyond Borders: International and Canadian Trends
Atlas Van Lines also looked at top inbound and outbound destinations internationally.
Top 10 International Inbound Destinations:
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United Kingdom
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Bahrain
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China
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Colombia
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Canada
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Cyprus
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Bangladesh
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Fiji
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Spain
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Austria
Top 10 International Outbound Destinations:
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Panama
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India
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Dominican Republic
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Ecuador
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Turkey
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Indonesia
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Morocco
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Netherlands
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Puerto Rico
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Singapore
In Canada, the top inbound provinces for 2024 were in the north and east, while outbound provinces were centrally located:
Top 3 Inbound Canadian Provinces:
- Northwest Territories
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
Top 3 Outbound Canadian Provinces:
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- Quebec
What This Means for Real Estate
As the migration patterns reveal, affordability, job markets, and social connections are driving relocation decisions. For real estate professionals, understanding these trends is crucial to adapting strategies for buyers and sellers. States like Arkansas and North Carolina present unique opportunities for growth, while outbound states like California require innovative solutions to retain residents and attract new ones.
Want to explore more? Visit Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns for the full study.
