Special Report

Where People from Texas are Moving to the Most

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

Between April 2020 and July 2022, Texas’ population grew by more than 884,000, the largest net increase of any state. Boasting 367 miles of open Gulf coastline, several major cities, low taxes, and generally mild winters, Texas is a magnet for new residents – drawing in nearly 591,400 Americans from across the country in 2021 alone. 

These numbers do not tell the full story, however. Even as Americans are flocking to the Lone Star State and starting families there, many are also moving out. According to government data, over 447,000 Texans packed up and moved to a different part of the country in 2021 – the fourth largest outbound migration of any state. 

Every state and Washington D.C. added a number of ex-Texans to their population in 2021 – but some places drew in far more than others. (Here is a look at the best states to live in.)

Using data on state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states the most people from Texas are moving to. The 50 places on this list – Washington D.C. and every state except Texas – are ranked by the number of residents in 2021 who lived in Texas in 2020. For each state and Washington D.C., we also reviewed net population change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 with data from U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program. 

Explanations for why so many people left Texas in 2021 are varied and often personal. But according to a study conducted by moving company United Van Lines, the largest share of Texan outbound moves – 43.4% – were for job-related reasons. 

The 2021 annual unemployment rate in Texas was 5.7%, higher than the 5.3% national rate that year. The top five destination states for outbound Texans were California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma. These states alone took in over 30% of Texans who moved out in 2021. With the exception of California, each had a stronger job market, as measured by the unemployment rate, than Texas did that year. (Here is a look at the cities that will add the jobs by 2060 according to economists.)

Here is where people from Texas are moving to the most.

 

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

50. Vermont
> People from Texas who moved to Vermont in 2021: 576 (0.13% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +4,079 (+0.63%)
> Total 2021 population: 641,007

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

49. Wyoming
> People from Texas who moved to Wyoming in 2021: 610 (0.14% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,878 (+0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 573,476

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

48. Rhode Island
> People from Texas who moved to Rhode Island in 2021: 762 (0.17% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +640 (+0.06%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,085,539

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

47. Maine
> People from Texas who moved to Maine in 2021: 876 (0.20% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,681 (+1.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,360,264

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

46. West Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to West Virginia in 2021: 920 (0.21% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -5,894 (-0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,767,792

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

45. Delaware
> People from Texas who moved to Delaware in 2021: 1,300 (0.29% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +12,693 (+1.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 994,669

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

44. District of Columbia
> People from Texas who moved to District of Columbia in 2021: 1,498 (0.33% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -2,077 (-0.31%)
> Total 2021 population: 661,026

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

43. New Hampshire
> People from Texas who moved to New Hampshire in 2021: 1,647 (0.37% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,918 (+0.65%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,377,638

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

42. Connecticut
> People from Texas who moved to Connecticut in 2021: 2,073 (0.46% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +25,993 (+0.72%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,571,470

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

41. North Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to North Dakota in 2021: 2,127 (0.48% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,584 (-0.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 764,638

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

40. South Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to South Dakota in 2021: 2,229 (0.50% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,365 (+0.94%)
> Total 2021 population: 884,616

AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images

39. New Jersey
> People from Texas who moved to New Jersey in 2021: 2,402 (0.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,728 (-0.04%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,174,117

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

38. Nebraska
> People from Texas who moved to Nebraska in 2021: 2,619 (0.59% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +912 (+0.05%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,939,700

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images

37. Montana
> People from Texas who moved to Montana in 2021: 2,671 (0.60% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +19,152 (+1.76%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,093,888

vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images

36. Idaho
> People from Texas who moved to Idaho in 2021: 3,089 (0.69% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,112 (+2.98%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,879,719

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

35. Alaska
> People from Texas who moved to Alaska in 2021: 3,563 (0.80% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,259 (+0.17%)
> Total 2021 population: 723,949

pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

34. Iowa
> People from Texas who moved to Iowa in 2021: 3,903 (0.87% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +7,118 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,159,672

photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images

33. Nevada
> People from Texas who moved to Nevada in 2021: 4,317 (0.96% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +30,754 (+0.99%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,111,722

Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images

32. Minnesota
> People from Texas who moved to Minnesota in 2021: 4,889 (1.09% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,619 (+0.03%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,645,866

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

31. South Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to South Carolina in 2021: 5,464 (1.22% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +61,418 (+1.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,142,137

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

30. Massachusetts
> People from Texas who moved to Massachusetts in 2021: 5,618 (1.26% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -6,039 (-0.09%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,916,314

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

29. Kansas
> People from Texas who moved to Kansas in 2021: 6,016 (1.34% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +03 (+0.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,900,594

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

28. Utah
> People from Texas who moved to Utah in 2021: 6,078 (1.36% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,328 (+1.68%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,295,561

jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images

27. Oregon
> People from Texas who moved to Oregon in 2021: 6,469 (1.45% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +11,506 (+0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,207,387

Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

26. Michigan
> People from Texas who moved to Michigan in 2021: 6,589 (1.47% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -32,073 (-0.32%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,950,336

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

25. Indiana
> People from Texas who moved to Indiana in 2021: 6,591 (1.47% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +24,733 (+0.36%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,729,771

okimo / iStock via Getty Images

24. Hawaii
> People from Texas who moved to Hawaii in 2021: 6,849 (1.53% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,889 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,426,298

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

23. Kentucky
> People from Texas who moved to Kentucky in 2021: 6,892 (1.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -856 (-0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,460,646

marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images

22. Wisconsin
> People from Texas who moved to Wisconsin in 2021: 6,893 (1.54% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -16,170 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,838,954

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

21. Maryland
> People from Texas who moved to Maryland in 2021: 6,974 (1.56% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,405 (+0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,099,715

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

20. Mississippi
> People from Texas who moved to Mississippi in 2021: 7,027 (1.57% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -8,555 (-0.29%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,919,574

espiegle / iStock via Getty Images

19. Ohio
> People from Texas who moved to Ohio in 2021: 7,248 (1.62% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -33,175 (-0.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 11,660,200

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Pennsylvania
> People from Texas who moved to Pennsylvania in 2021: 9,271 (2.07% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +17,619 (+0.14%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,842,522

RobHainer / iStock via Getty Images

17. Alabama
> People from Texas who moved to Alabama in 2021: 10,616 (2.37% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +18,484 (+0.37%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,989,797

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

16. New Mexico
> People from Texas who moved to New Mexico in 2021: 10,712 (2.39% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,713 (-0.08%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,092,251

LoweStock / iStock via Getty Images

15. Washington
> People from Texas who moved to Washington in 2021: 10,737 (2.40% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +16,714 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,657,350

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

14. Missouri
> People from Texas who moved to Missouri in 2021: 12,919 (2.89% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +15,825 (+0.26%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,102,443

ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images

13. Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to Virginia in 2021: 13,305 (2.97% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +20,894 (+0.24%)
> Total 2021 population: 8,557,020

dszc / E+ via Getty Images

12. Arizona
> People from Texas who moved to Arizona in 2021: 13,312 (2.98% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +84,934 (+1.18%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,202,745

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images

11. North Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to North Carolina in 2021: 14,240 (3.18% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +116,440 (+1.11%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,446,881

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

10. Tennessee
> People from Texas who moved to Tennessee in 2021: 15,300 (3.42% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +42,732 (+0.62%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,899,165

franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images

9. Illinois
> People from Texas who moved to Illinois in 2021: 15,480 (3.46% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -100,111 (-0.78%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,544,435

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

8. Arkansas
> People from Texas who moved to Arkansas in 2021: 16,374 (3.66% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,927 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,990,311

Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images

7. New York
> People from Texas who moved to New York in 2021: 16,818 (3.76% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -250,804 (-1.25%)
> Total 2021 population: 19,626,300

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

6. Louisiana
> People from Texas who moved to Louisiana in 2021: 21,290 (4.76% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -24,566 (-0.53%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,571,302

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

5. Georgia
> People from Texas who moved to Georgia in 2021: 21,413 (4.79% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +58,201 (+0.54%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,688,429

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

4. Oklahoma
> People from Texas who moved to Oklahoma in 2021: 27,223 (6.09% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,313 (+0.66%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,943,443

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

3. Florida
> People from Texas who moved to Florida in 2021: 28,243 (6.31% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +238,467 (+1.10%)
> Total 2021 population: 21,590,684

pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images

2. Colorado
> People from Texas who moved to Colorado in 2021: 29,754 (6.65% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,432 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,757,628

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

1. California
> People from Texas who moved to California in 2021: 33,577 (7.51% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-yr. net population change: -358,662 (-0.91%)
> Total 2021 population: 38,833,197

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.