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 North Carolina. An estimated 259,400 Americans left North Carolina in 2022 for a different part of the country, the ninth most of any state..
Some states are much more popular destinations for North Carolinians than others. Across all 49 other states and Washington D.C., the influx of former-North Carolina residents in 2022 ranged from about 20 to nearly 36,300.
50. North Dakota: 23 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 23 (0.01% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to North Dakota in 2022: 34,536 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.07% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)
49. South Dakota: 441 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 441 (0.17% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to South Dakota in 2022: 31,300 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (1.41% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)
48. Arkansas: 451 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 451 (0.17% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Arkansas in 2022: 86,375 — 18th fewest of 50 states (0.52% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)
47. Rhode Island: 468 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 468 (0.18% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Rhode Island in 2022: 40,311 — 6th fewest of 50 states (1.16% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)
46. Nebraska: 538 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 538 (0.21% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Nebraska in 2022: 49,159 — 11th fewest of 50 states (1.09% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)
45. Kansas: 655 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Kansas in 2022: 655 (0.25% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Kansas in 2022: 94,208 — 21st fewest of 50 states (0.70% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)
44. Maine: 675 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Maine in 2022: 675 (0.26% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Maine in 2022: 41,618 — 7th fewest of 50 states (1.62% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)
43. Oregon: 775 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Oregon in 2022: 775 (0.30% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Oregon in 2022: 128,359 — 24th most of 50 states (0.60% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)
42. Iowa: 804 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Iowa in 2022: 804 (0.31% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Iowa in 2022: 72,231 — 16th fewest of 50 states (1.11% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)
41. Idaho: 815 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Idaho in 2022: 815 (0.31% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Idaho in 2022: 87,949 — 19th fewest of 50 states (0.93% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)
40. Wyoming: 845 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 845 (0.33% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Wyoming in 2022: 28,948 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (2.92% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)
39. Vermont: 996 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Vermont in 2022: 996 (0.38% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Vermont in 2022: 26,151 — the fewest of 50 states (3.81% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)
38. New Hampshire: 1,016 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 1,016 (0.39% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to New Hampshire in 2022: 49,782 — 12th fewest of 50 states (2.04% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)
37. New Mexico: 1,114 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 1,114 (0.43% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to New Mexico in 2022: 72,095 — 15th fewest of 50 states (1.55% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)
36. Missouri: 1,162 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Missouri in 2022: 1,162 (0.45% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Missouri in 2022: 163,254 — 18th most of 50 states (0.71% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)
35. Louisiana: 1,272 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 1,272 (0.49% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Louisiana in 2022: 75,330 — 17th fewest of 50 states (1.69% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)
34. Utah: 1,348 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Utah in 2022: 1,348 (0.52% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Utah in 2022: 91,341 — 20th fewest of 50 states (1.48% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)
33. Montana: 1,507 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Montana in 2022: 1,507 (0.58% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Montana in 2022: 48,165 — 10th fewest of 50 states (3.13% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)
32. District of Columbia: 1,519 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 1,519 (0.59% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to District of Columbia in 2022: 64,506 (2.35% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 671,803
31. Mississippi: 1,715 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 1,715 (0.66% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Mississippi in 2022: 69,948 — 14th fewest of 50 states (2.45% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)
30. Hawaii: 1,931 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 1,931 (0.74% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Hawaii in 2022: 56,209 — 13th fewest of 50 states (3.44% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)
29. Nevada: 2,053 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Nevada in 2022: 2,053 (0.79% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Nevada in 2022: 127,406 — 25th most of 50 states (1.61% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)
28. Indiana: 2,157 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Indiana in 2022: 2,157 (0.83% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Indiana in 2022: 149,331 — 20th most of 50 states (1.44% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)
27. West Virginia: 2,217 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 2,217 (0.85% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to West Virginia in 2022: 43,493 — 8th fewest of 50 states (5.10% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)
26. Delaware: 2,250 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Delaware in 2022: 2,250 (0.87% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Delaware in 2022: 46,162 — 9th fewest of 50 states (4.87% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)
25. Minnesota: 2,300 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 2,300 (0.89% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Minnesota in 2022: 117,016 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (1.97% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)
24. Oklahoma: 2,613 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 2,613 (1.01% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Oklahoma in 2022: 117,788 — 24th fewest of 50 states (2.22% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)
23. New Jersey: 3,264 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 3,264 (1.26% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to New Jersey in 2022: 175,023 — 16th most of 50 states (1.86% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)
22. Arizona: 3,300 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Arizona in 2022: 3,300 (1.27% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Arizona in 2022: 282,729 — 7th most of 50 states (1.17% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)
21. Alaska: 3,305 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Alaska in 2022: 3,305 (1.27% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Alaska in 2022: 36,563 — 5th fewest of 50 states (9.04% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)
20. Alabama: 3,320 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Alabama in 2022: 3,320 (1.28% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Alabama in 2022: 139,263 — 23rd most of 50 states (2.38% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)
19. Kentucky: 3,392 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 3,392 (1.31% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Kentucky in 2022: 113,197 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (3.00% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)
18. Wisconsin: 3,591 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 3,591 (1.38% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Wisconsin in 2022: 120,434 — 25th fewest of 50 states (2.98% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)
17. Connecticut: 3,897 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 3,897 (1.50% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Connecticut in 2022: 145,315 — 21st most of 50 states (2.68% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)
16. Massachusetts: 3,934 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 3,934 (1.52% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Massachusetts in 2022: 171,077 — 17th most of 50 states (2.30% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)
15. Maryland: 4,152 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Maryland in 2022: 4,152 (1.60% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Maryland in 2022: 139,784 — 22nd most of 50 states (2.97% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)
14. Illinois: 5,384 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Illinois in 2022: 5,384 (2.08% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Illinois in 2022: 228,308 — 12th most of 50 states (2.36% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 12,582,032 (6th largest of 50 states)
13. Ohio: 5,592 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Ohio in 2022: 5,592 (2.16% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Ohio in 2022: 200,809 — 15th most of 50 states (2.78% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)
12. Washington: 5,849 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Washington in 2022: 5,849 (2.25% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Washington in 2022: 248,355 — 10th most of 50 states (2.36% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)
11. Michigan: 5,852 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Michigan in 2022: 5,852 (2.26% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Michigan in 2022: 157,955 — 19th most of 50 states (3.70% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)
10. Colorado: 6,165 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Colorado in 2022: 6,165 (2.38% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Colorado in 2022: 229,876 — 11th most of 50 states (2.68% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)
9. Tennessee: 7,391 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 7,391 (2.85% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Tennessee in 2022: 225,969 — 13th most of 50 states (3.27% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 7,051,339 (15th largest of 50 states)
8. Pennsylvania: 9,687 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 9,687 (3.73% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Pennsylvania in 2022: 262,700 — 9th most of 50 states (3.69% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)
7. New York: 10,915 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to New York in 2022: 10,915 (4.21% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to New York in 2022: 301,461 — 6th most of 50 states (3.62% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)
6. California: 13,302 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to California in 2022: 13,302 (5.13% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to California in 2022: 475,803 — 3rd most of 50 states (2.80% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)
5. Texas: 17,975 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Texas in 2022: 17,975 (6.93% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Texas in 2022: 668,338 — 2nd most of 50 states (2.69% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 30,029,572 (2nd largest of 50 states)
4. Virginia: 21,395 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Virginia in 2022: 21,395 (8.25% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Virginia in 2022: 266,970 — 8th most of 50 states (8.01% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 8,683,619 (12th largest of 50 states)
3. Georgia: 23,175 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Georgia in 2022: 23,175 (8.93% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Georgia in 2022: 327,795 — 5th most of 50 states (7.07% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)
2. Florida: 24,601 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to Florida in 2022: 24,601 (9.48% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to Florida in 2022: 738,969 — the most of 50 states (3.33% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)
1. South Carolina: 36,324 people from North Carolina
- People from North Carolina who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 36,324 (14.00% of outbound moves from North Carolina)
- Total num. of Americans who moved to South Carolina in 2022: 219,707 — 14th most of 50 states (16.53% from North Carolina)
- Total population in 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)
| Rank | Geography | New residents from North Carolina in 2022 | Share of all outbound moves from North Carolina in 2022 (%) | Share of all inbound moves from North Carolina in 2022 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | North Dakota | 23 | 0.01 | 0.07 |
| 49 | South Dakota | 441 | 0.17 | 1.41 |
| 48 | Arkansas | 451 | 0.17 | 0.52 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 468 | 0.18 | 1.16 |
| 46 | Nebraska | 538 | 0.21 | 1.09 |
| 45 | Kansas | 655 | 0.25 | 0.70 |
| 44 | Maine | 675 | 0.26 | 1.62 |
| 43 | Oregon | 775 | 0.30 | 0.60 |
| 42 | Iowa | 804 | 0.31 | 1.11 |
| 41 | Idaho | 815 | 0.31 | 0.93 |
| 40 | Wyoming | 845 | 0.33 | 2.92 |
| 39 | Vermont | 996 | 0.38 | 3.81 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | 1,016 | 0.39 | 2.04 |
| 37 | New Mexico | 1,114 | 0.43 | 1.55 |
| 36 | Missouri | 1,162 | 0.45 | 0.71 |
| 35 | Louisiana | 1,272 | 0.49 | 1.69 |
| 34 | Utah | 1,348 | 0.52 | 1.48 |
| 33 | Montana | 1,507 | 0.58 | 3.13 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | 1,519 | 0.59 | 2.35 |
| 31 | Mississippi | 1,715 | 0.66 | 2.45 |
| 30 | Hawaii | 1,931 | 0.74 | 3.44 |
| 29 | Nevada | 2,053 | 0.79 | 1.61 |
| 28 | Indiana | 2,157 | 0.83 | 1.44 |
| 27 | West Virginia | 2,217 | 0.85 | 5.10 |
| 26 | Delaware | 2,250 | 0.87 | 4.87 |
| 25 | Minnesota | 2,300 | 0.89 | 1.97 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 2,613 | 1.01 | 2.22 |
| 23 | New Jersey | 3,264 | 1.26 | 1.86 |
| 22 | Arizona | 3,300 | 1.27 | 1.17 |
| 21 | Alaska | 3,305 | 1.27 | 9.04 |
| 20 | Alabama | 3,320 | 1.28 | 2.38 |
| 19 | Kentucky | 3,392 | 1.31 | 3.00 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 3,591 | 1.38 | 2.98 |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,897 | 1.50 | 2.68 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 3,934 | 1.52 | 2.30 |
| 15 | Maryland | 4,152 | 1.60 | 2.97 |
| 14 | Illinois | 5,384 | 2.08 | 2.36 |
| 13 | Ohio | 5,592 | 2.16 | 2.78 |
| 12 | Washington | 5,849 | 2.25 | 2.36 |
| 11 | Michigan | 5,852 | 2.26 | 3.70 |
| 10 | Colorado | 6,165 | 2.38 | 2.68 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 7,391 | 2.85 | 3.27 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 9,687 | 3.73 | 3.69 |
| 7 | New York | 10,915 | 4.21 | 3.62 |
| 6 | California | 13,302 | 5.13 | 2.80 |
| 5 | Texas | 17,975 | 6.93 | 2.69 |
| 4 | Virginia | 21,395 | 8.25 | 8.01 |
| 3 | Georgia | 23,175 | 8.93 | 7.07 |
| 2 | Florida | 24,601 | 9.48 | 3.33 |
| 1 | South Carolina | 36,324 | 14.00 | 16.53 |
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