Special Report

People Are Leaving Texas for These States

Sam Stebbins / 24/7 Wall St.

Even in the best possible circumstances, moving to a new home can be stressful. Perhaps in no small part for this reason, in recent decades Americans have become increasingly likely to stay put. Fewer than 30 million people moved within the U.S. in each of the last three years, compared to over 40 million per year for much of the 1980s and throughout the 1990s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While a small minority of moves in the U.S. are necessitated by an eviction or natural disaster, most are voluntary — most often for reasons related to housing. These include wanting a larger home, a more affordable home, or a home in a better neighborhood. Other commonly cited explanations include work and family.

No matter the reason, most Americans do not have to go far to get what they want. Since record keeping began in 1948, over 60% of movers remained in the same county, and over 80% in the same state. Lately, however, a larger share of American movers are crossing state lines.

According to estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the number of Americans who moved to a different state has been steadily rising for over a decade. More than 8.2 million Americans moved to a different state in 2022, the most of any year since at least 2010.

The historic number of moves across state lines in 2022 was driven largely by moves out of Texas. An estimated 494,000 Americans left Texas in 2022 for a different part of the country, more than any other state except California and New York.

Some states are much more popular destinations for Texans than others. Across all 49 other states and Washington D.C., the influx of former-Texas residents in 2022 ranged from about 580 to nearly 42,300.

50. West Virginia: 580 people from Texas

ScottNodine / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 580 (0.12% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 43,493 — 8th fewest of 50 states (1.33% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)

49. Delaware: 692 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Delaware in 2022: 692 (0.14% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Delaware in 2022: 46,162 — 9th fewest of 50 states (1.50% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)

48. South Dakota: 832 people from Texas

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 832 (0.17% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 31,300 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (2.66% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)

47. Maine: 861 people from Texas

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Maine in 2022: 861 (0.17% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Maine in 2022: 41,618 — 7th fewest of 50 states (2.07% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)

46. Vermont: 1,128 people from Texas

AlbertPego / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Vermont in 2022: 1,128 (0.23% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Vermont in 2022: 26,151 — the fewest of 50 states (4.31% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)

45. New Hampshire: 1,239 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 1,239 (0.25% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 49,782 — 12th fewest of 50 states (2.49% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)

44. Montana: 1,357 people from Texas

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Montana in 2022: 1,357 (0.27% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Montana in 2022: 48,165 — 10th fewest of 50 states (2.82% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)

43. North Dakota: 1,745 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 1,745 (0.35% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 34,536 — 4th fewest of 50 states (5.05% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)

42. Wyoming: 2,211 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 2,211 (0.45% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 28,948 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (7.64% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)

41. Rhode Island: 2,684 people from Texas

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 2,684 (0.54% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 40,311 — 6th fewest of 50 states (6.66% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)

40. District of Columbia: 2,788 people from Texas

Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 2,788 (0.56% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 64,506 (4.32% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 671,803

39. Idaho: 2,868 people from Texas

vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Idaho in 2022: 2,868 (0.58% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Idaho in 2022: 87,949 — 19th fewest of 50 states (3.26% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)

38. Connecticut: 2,920 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 2,920 (0.59% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 145,315 — 21st most of 50 states (2.01% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)

37. Alaska: 3,135 people from Texas

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Alaska in 2022: 3,135 (0.63% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Alaska in 2022: 36,563 — 5th fewest of 50 states (8.57% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)

36. Oregon: 3,534 people from Texas

AnSyvanych / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Oregon in 2022: 3,534 (0.72% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Oregon in 2022: 128,359 — 24th most of 50 states (2.75% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)

35. Iowa: 3,856 people from Texas

pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Iowa in 2022: 3,856 (0.78% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Iowa in 2022: 72,231 — 16th fewest of 50 states (5.34% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)

34. Nebraska: 4,285 people from Texas

Cheri Alguire / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 4,285 (0.87% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 49,159 — 11th fewest of 50 states (8.72% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)

33. Maryland: 4,917 people from Texas

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Maryland in 2022: 4,917 (1.00% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Maryland in 2022: 139,784 — 22nd most of 50 states (3.52% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)

32. New Jersey: 5,690 people from Texas

AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 5,690 (1.15% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 175,023 — 16th most of 50 states (3.25% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)

31. Hawaii: 5,966 people from Texas

okimo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 5,966 (1.21% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 56,209 — 13th fewest of 50 states (10.61% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)

30. Wisconsin: 6,088 people from Texas

warrenlemay / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 6,088 (1.23% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 120,434 — 25th fewest of 50 states (5.06% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)

29. Minnesota: 6,506 people from Texas

jimkruger / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 6,506 (1.32% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 117,016 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (5.56% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)

28. Nevada: 6,946 people from Texas

Ethan Miller / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Nevada in 2022: 6,946 (1.41% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Nevada in 2022: 127,406 — 25th most of 50 states (5.45% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)

27. Utah: 7,070 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Utah in 2022: 7,070 (1.43% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Utah in 2022: 91,341 — 20th fewest of 50 states (7.74% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)

26. Massachusetts: 7,517 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 7,517 (1.52% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 171,077 — 17th most of 50 states (4.39% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)

25. Kentucky: 7,630 people from Texas

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 7,630 (1.54% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 113,197 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (6.74% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)

24. Kansas: 7,767 people from Texas

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Kansas in 2022: 7,767 (1.57% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Kansas in 2022: 94,208 — 21st fewest of 50 states (8.24% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)

23. Indiana: 8,276 people from Texas

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Indiana in 2022: 8,276 (1.68% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Indiana in 2022: 149,331 — 20th most of 50 states (5.54% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)

22. Mississippi: 8,312 people from Texas

Mississippi | Jackson Mississippi Skyline
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 8,312 (1.68% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 69,948 — 14th fewest of 50 states (11.88% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)

21. Michigan: 8,529 people from Texas

Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Michigan in 2022: 8,529 (1.73% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Michigan in 2022: 157,955 — 19th most of 50 states (5.40% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)

20. Pennsylvania: 8,544 people from Texas

kimon / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 8,544 (1.73% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 262,700 — 9th most of 50 states (3.25% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)

19. South Carolina: 8,811 people from Texas

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 8,811 (1.78% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 219,707 — 14th most of 50 states (4.01% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)

18. Missouri: 9,168 people from Texas

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Missouri in 2022: 9,168 (1.86% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Missouri in 2022: 163,254 — 18th most of 50 states (5.62% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)

17. Alabama: 10,102 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Alabama in 2022: 10,102 (2.04% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Alabama in 2022: 139,263 — 23rd most of 50 states (7.25% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)

16. Ohio: 10,239 people from Texas

dougtone / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Ohio in 2022: 10,239 (2.07% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Ohio in 2022: 200,809 — 15th most of 50 states (5.10% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)

15. New York: 12,233 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to New York in 2022: 12,233 (2.48% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New York in 2022: 301,461 — 6th most of 50 states (4.06% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)

14. Tennessee: 12,862 people from Texas

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 12,862 (2.60% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 225,969 — 13th most of 50 states (5.69% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,051,339 (15th largest of 50 states)

13. Virginia: 13,359 people from Texas

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  • People from Texas who moved to Virginia in 2022: 13,359 (2.70% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Virginia in 2022: 266,970 — 8th most of 50 states (5.00% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 8,683,619 (12th largest of 50 states)

12. North Carolina: 16,332 people from Texas

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 16,332 (3.31% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to North Carolina in 2022: 341,582 — 4th most of 50 states (4.78% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,698,973 (9th largest of 50 states)

11. New Mexico: 16,986 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 16,986 (3.44% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 72,095 — 15th fewest of 50 states (23.56% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)

10. Arkansas: 17,105 people from Texas

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 17,105 (3.46% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 86,375 — 18th fewest of 50 states (19.80% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)

9. Arizona: 17,404 people from Texas

dougtone / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Arizona in 2022: 17,404 (3.52% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Arizona in 2022: 282,729 — 7th most of 50 states (6.16% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)

8. Louisiana: 17,663 people from Texas

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 17,663 (3.57% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 75,330 — 17th fewest of 50 states (23.45% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)

7. Washington: 19,245 people from Texas

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Washington in 2022: 19,245 (3.90% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Washington in 2022: 248,355 — 10th most of 50 states (7.75% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)

6. Illinois: 19,949 people from Texas

franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Illinois in 2022: 19,949 (4.04% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Illinois in 2022: 228,308 — 12th most of 50 states (8.74% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,582,032 (6th largest of 50 states)

5. Georgia: 23,754 people from Texas

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Texas who moved to Georgia in 2022: 23,754 (4.81% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Georgia in 2022: 327,795 — 5th most of 50 states (7.25% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)

4. Colorado: 25,466 people from Texas

pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Colorado in 2022: 25,466 (5.15% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Colorado in 2022: 229,876 — 11th most of 50 states (11.08% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)

3. Oklahoma: 26,440 people from Texas

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 26,440 (5.35% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 117,788 — 24th fewest of 50 states (22.45% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)

2. Florida: 38,207 people from Texas

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Florida in 2022: 38,207 (7.73% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to Florida in 2022: 738,969 — the most of 50 states (5.17% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)

1. California: 42,279 people from Texas

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  • People from Texas who moved to California in 2022: 42,279 (8.56% of outbound moves from Texas)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved to California in 2022: 475,803 — 3rd most of 50 states (8.89% from Texas)
  • Total population in 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)
Rank Geography New residents from Texas in 2022 Share of all outbound moves from Texas in 2022 (%) Share of all inbound moves from Texas in 2022 (%)
50 West Virginia 580 0.12 1.33
49 Delaware 692 0.14 1.50
48 South Dakota 832 0.17 2.66
47 Maine 861 0.17 2.07
46 Vermont 1,128 0.23 4.31
45 New Hampshire 1,239 0.25 2.49
44 Montana 1,357 0.27 2.82
43 North Dakota 1,745 0.35 5.05
42 Wyoming 2,211 0.45 7.64
41 Rhode Island 2,684 0.54 6.66
40 District of Columbia 2,788 0.56 4.32
39 Idaho 2,868 0.58 3.26
38 Connecticut 2,920 0.59 2.01
37 Alaska 3,135 0.63 8.57
36 Oregon 3,534 0.72 2.75
35 Iowa 3,856 0.78 5.34
34 Nebraska 4,285 0.87 8.72
33 Maryland 4,917 1.00 3.52
32 New Jersey 5,690 1.15 3.25
31 Hawaii 5,966 1.21 10.61
30 Wisconsin 6,088 1.23 5.06
29 Minnesota 6,506 1.32 5.56
28 Nevada 6,946 1.41 5.45
27 Utah 7,070 1.43 7.74
26 Massachusetts 7,517 1.52 4.39
25 Kentucky 7,630 1.54 6.74
24 Kansas 7,767 1.57 8.24
23 Indiana 8,276 1.68 5.54
22 Mississippi 8,312 1.68 11.88
21 Michigan 8,529 1.73 5.40
20 Pennsylvania 8,544 1.73 3.25
19 South Carolina 8,811 1.78 4.01
18 Missouri 9,168 1.86 5.62
17 Alabama 10,102 2.04 7.25
16 Ohio 10,239 2.07 5.10
15 New York 12,233 2.48 4.06
14 Tennessee 12,862 2.60 5.69
13 Virginia 13,359 2.70 5.00
12 North Carolina 16,332 3.31 4.78
11 New Mexico 16,986 3.44 23.56
10 Arkansas 17,105 3.46 19.80
9 Arizona 17,404 3.52 6.16
8 Louisiana 17,663 3.57 23.45
7 Washington 19,245 3.90 7.75
6 Illinois 19,949 4.04 8.74
5 Georgia 23,754 4.81 7.25
4 Colorado 25,466 5.15 11.08
3 Oklahoma 26,440 5.35 22.45
2 Florida 38,207 7.73 5.17
1 California 42,279 8.56 8.89

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