These Are The States Americans Are Leaving The Most
With 50 states in the nation, it's hard to choose where to settle down. One thing is for certain, though, there are some states Americans no longer want to live in. Whether it’s the high cost of living in sunny California or the unemployment rate in Mississippi, people are flocking out of their native states to find greener pastures elsewhere in the United States.
Survey data, polls, and resident testimony made it clear which states are less favorable among Americans. Did any of these states surprise you? Keep clicking your way through in order to learn why many Americans do not want to live in Delaware.
California Isn't All Golden
California is the land of beautiful people and one of the best climates in the nation. With palm tree-lined roads and beaches stretching up and down the coast, it's hard for people not to enjoy the Golden State.
That being said, Forbes reports that thousands of Californian households have left the state in recent years due to rising house costs, taxes, and politics.
New York Is An Expensive Place To Live
While New York probably offers one of the most unique styles of living in the country, it comes at a high price. All of the food, culture, and busy lifestyle aren't worth the lack of job security in some of the rural towns, or the four-figure studio apartment rent in the city.
However, Forbes reports that the rising cost of living and the rising taxes in the country are major factors in why many New Yorkers have moved out of the state in the past few years.
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Illinois Residents Are Leaving For The Sun Belt
Illinois has great farm produce, deep-dish pizza, awesome colleges and sports teams, and one of the coolest cities in America, Chicago. Even so, residents of the state are flocking to other parts of the nation. There are a few reasons why people are leaving.
According to IllinoisPolicy.org, the population decline in Illinois can be largely attributed to residents leaving in search of better employment opportunities and better housing. The tax rate is also a significant factor.
Pennsylvania Residents Would Prefer Less Snow
Pennsylvania has a lot to be admired, such as the affordable living and the sports teams, but it's not for everyone.
According to Forbes, many families have left the state in recent years in search of better employment and warmer weather.
Massachusetts Is An Expensive State
The coastal state of Massachusetts is the perfect place to sit back and watch sailboats, enjoy a fresh lobster roll, and it also has a great school system. Unfortunately, the state is also known to be extremely expensive to live in, especially near the central hub of Boston.
According to Forbes, "Similar to its neighboring states, the recent push towards remote work allows families to leave high-density population areas and choose more suburban lifestyles beyond the state's borders."
Washington Is Getting Too Pricey
Washington State has been getting a lot of praise lately for its high quality of life and healthy economy. It's a great place to find jobs and enjoy all the outdoors has to offer in the Pacific Northwest.
However, the state ranks low in both affordability and wellness. Forbes reports that the skyrocketing costs of living in the state are a major contributing factor to people leaving the state.
Colorado's Housing Costs Are Rising
Colorado has plenty to offer when it comes to the great outdoors. However… it's cold! The majority of Colorado consists of mountains, foothills, high plains, and desert lands, and the weather is much different than other mountain states.
Colorado has also become a desirable place to move, which raises the housing cost and makes Colorado one of the least affordable states in the nation.
Indiana Residents Want Better Pay
Indiana is a beautiful state with beautiful landscapes and lots of fun things to do. However, in recent years, many Indiana residents have made the decision to leave the state in hopes of better opportunities.
According to Forbes, the reason for so many households leaving Indiana is because of lower-than-average pay. On top of that, retirees are likely leaving due to the state's taxing of retirement income.
Michigan Jobs Don't Have Good Pay
While Michigan has 3,300 miles of coastline and beautiful parks, residents aren't fooled. Michigan has harsh weather conditions, making elderly people search out other states for their retirement. And as far as young people are concerned, they're flocking to other states in search of better-paying jobs and opportunities.
The lack of meaningful work leads highly-educated young people to develop "brain drain," says the Joint Economic Committee, which causes them to search for better opportunities elsewhere.
Wisconsin Has Harsh Winters
Even though Wisconsin's low cost of living and steady employment growth is attractive to people, it's not stopping residents from packing up their Green Bay Packers cheesehead hats and moving on out. It's not surprising that people are moving away since the state has one of the harshest winters in the country.
According to Forbes, the state's high tax rates are also a significant factor when it comes to leaving Wisconsin.
Wyoming Residents Want Better Jobs
Wyoming is known for its natural beauty, including gorgeous national parks and its long history of cowboy and ranching culture. Unfortunately, many households have left the state in recent years in order to find better jobs.
Yahoo Finance reports that the top reason for residents leaving Wyoming is for new job opportunities.
Alaska's Weather Is A Road Block
Some may dream of a retirement that's out there, far away from traffic, crowds, and over-development. The Last Frontier may sound like a viable option for these reasons, but Alaska isn’t all peaches and cream.
According to Newsweek, high living costs and cold weather are common factors in Alaskans' decision to leave the state.
New Jersey's Property Tax Is Very High
The Garden State has a coastline of beaches, some of the best pizza in the nation, family suburbs, and tasty local produce. But none of that is stopping people from leaving New Jersey.
According to Yahoo Finance, the top reasons that former residents have cited for leaving were retirement, being closer to family, and getting a new job.
Louisiana Has A Low Employment Rate
Louisiana is an appealing state for many reasons; its coastal location, delicious food, and unique culture are just a few. Even though those attractions are good for visitors, residents are trying their hardest to leave the low employment rate the state has to offer its locals.
NOLA.com reported that a lack of opportunities for college-educated professionals could be a reason for the number of residents that have left the state in the past few years.
People Are Saying Goodbye To Ohio For Better Jobs
For many people living in coastal states, Ohio offers a nice change of pace with a lower cost of living and welcoming residents. And while plenty of people are moving to Ohio, more are trying to leave the state.
According to WVXU, an NPR affiliate radio station, a lack of jobs and retirees in search of warmer weather are the top reasons for residents to leave Ohio.
Mississippi Has One Of The Highest Unemployment Rates
There is a lot to be admired about Mississippi -- the southern culture and the people for instance. But the Magnolia State suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
Tack on the humid weather, bugs, and overall stickiness, and people are not exactly jumping at the opportunity to move to Mississippi.
Iowa Is "Just A Boring State To Live In"
The sunsets over Iowa's cornfields are something to behold, and its job market and cities are continuing to grow, but none of that is keeping residents within the state's borders. People are leaving Iowa in search of better job opportunities and a lifestyle change, while older people are leaving for retirement.
One Reddit user that complained about "the states weather extremes, poorly funded public schools, and crumbling infrastructure, and that Iowa's is a boring state to live in."
Oregon's High Crime Rate Is Not Appealing
Oregon is known for its vibrant cultural scene and abundant natural beauty, but is it enough to keep residents happy?
According to Business Insider, the high crime rate and the city of Portland's handling of drug and homelessness issues are just some of the reasons why residents are leaving Oregon.
Minnesota Has Horrible Weather
Minnesota is one of those states where you have to love the cold and snow to live there happily since it is one of the chilliest states in the country.
However, Minnesota Reformer claims that high tax rates may be one of the contributing factors for Minnesotans moving elsewhere.
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