Where Are Americans Moving?
Texas leads the nation in net domestic migration with +85.4K households gained, followed by North Carolina (+82.4K) and South Carolina (+68.2K). On the other end, California lost the most residents with -237.7K net households, followed by New York (-121.3K). Migration data is based on IRS Statistics of Income tax return filings, which track household movements between states along with income (AGI) data for both inbound and outbound movers.
All 50 States by Net Migration
| # | State | Inbound | Outbound | Net Flow▼ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 540.6K | 455.2K | +85.4K | $92K | $57K |
| 2 | North Carolina | 171.9K | 89.5K | +82.4K | $91K | $58K |
| 3 | South Carolina | 88.5K | 20.3K | +68.2K | $34K | $71K |
| 4 | Florida | 614.2K | 550.9K | +63.3K | $91K | $32K |
| 5 | Tennessee | 85.6K | 37.1K | +48.5K | $51K | $73K |
| 6 | Arizona | 234.7K | 199.7K | +34.9K | $103K | $11K |
| 7 | Alabama | 58.3K | 32.3K | +26.1K | $15K | $68K |
| 8 | Georgia | 131.9K | 106.5K | +25.4K | $84K | $59K |
| 9 | Nevada | 158.8K | 141.9K | +16.9K | $104K | $3K |
| 10 | Idaho | 112.1K | 95.8K | +16.3K | $102K | $5K |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 68.4K | 54.4K | +14.1K | $83K | $8K |
| 12 | Arkansas | 31.0K | 17.5K | +13.5K | $29K | $64K |
| 13 | Missouri | 33.2K | 20.8K | +12.4K | $57K | $73K |
| 14 | Delaware | 11.9K | 3.8K | +8.2K | $68K | $92K |
| 15 | Kentucky | 35.3K | 28.1K | +7.2K | $27K | $69K |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 42.4K | 35.9K | +6.5K | $89K | $21K |
| 17 | Montana | 10.3K | 4.9K | +5.4K | $89K | $39K |
| 18 | Maine | 9.8K | 4.5K | +5.3K | $88K | $61K |
| 19 | Colorado | 177.1K | 171.8K | +5.3K | $96K | $23K |
| 20 | Virginia | 77.7K | 72.6K | +5.2K | $88K | $100K |
| 21 | New Hampshire | 38.6K | 33.7K | +4.9K | $106K | $13K |
| 22 | West Virginia | 15.5K | 10.9K | +4.6K | $50K | $62K |
| 23 | Indiana | 71.9K | 67.7K | +4.1K | $86K | $11K |
| 24 | Utah | 20.8K | 17.7K | +3.1K | $40K | $100K |
| 25 | Washington | 171.8K | 169.4K | +2.3K | $104K | $28K |
| 26 | South Dakota | 9.8K | 7.7K | +2.1K | $88K | $22K |
| 27 | Wyoming | 10.0K | 9.1K | +876 | $87K | $12K |
| 28 | North Dakota | 10.3K | 10.6K | -314 | $89K | $13K |
| 29 | Iowa | 13.5K | 13.8K | -319 | $87K | $66K |
| 30 | Rhode Island | 8.5K | 8.8K | -329 | $89K | $61K |
| 31 | Vermont | 9.7K | 10.3K | -518 | $88K | $12K |
| 32 | Minnesota | 29.4K | 30.6K | -1.1K | $54K | $99K |
| 33 | Oregon | 130.2K | 131.4K | -1.3K | $105K | $20K |
| 34 | New Mexico | 11.6K | 13.1K | -1.5K | $78K | $66K |
| 35 | Nebraska | 10.4K | 12.0K | -1.6K | $88K | $44K |
| 36 | Ohio | 79.0K | 81.4K | -2.4K | $14K | $73K |
| 37 | Alaska | 10.0K | 13.7K | -3.7K | $88K | $26K |
| 38 | Kansas | 21.9K | 26.6K | -4.7K | $81K | $37K |
| 39 | Mississippi | 10.3K | 15.3K | -5.0K | $86K | $60K |
| 40 | Connecticut | 92.0K | 98.1K | -6.2K | $98K | $19K |
| 41 | Michigan | 59.9K | 67.9K | -8.0K | $13K | $79K |
| 42 | Hawaii | 9.7K | 19.0K | -9.3K | $89K | $74K |
| 43 | Pennsylvania | 134.1K | 145.7K | -11.7K | $102K | $48K |
| 44 | Louisiana | 15.7K | 33.1K | -17.4K | $61K | $64K |
| 45 | Maryland | 30.5K | 49.0K | -18.5K | $34K | $113K |
| 46 | Massachusetts | 41.8K | 69.1K | -27.3K | $33K | $117K |
| 47 | New Jersey | 123.9K | 159.2K | -35.3K | $88K | $112K |
| 48 | Illinois | 185.1K | 241.6K | -56.5K | $5K | $90K |
| 49 | New York | 390.6K | 511.9K | -121.3K | $12K | $94K |
| 50 | California | 836.8K | 1.1M | -237.7K | $9K | $106K |
Frequently Asked Questions
What data sources are used for migration flows?
Migration flow data is derived from IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) county-to-county migration files, which track year-over-year changes in tax return filing addresses. When someone files their federal tax return from a different state than the previous year, the IRS records that as a migration event. We aggregate these county-level flows into state-to-state pairs to show the full picture of interstate movement. The IRS data is considered the gold standard for U.S. migration measurement because it covers the vast majority of the adult population (anyone who files a tax return), includes income data (Adjusted Gross Income), and is released annually. Census Bureau migration estimates use different methodology and can produce slightly different numbers.
What does net migration flow mean?
Net flow is the difference between households moving into a state (inbound) and households leaving (outbound). A positive net flow means more people are arriving than departing — the state is gaining residents through domestic migration. A negative net flow means more people are leaving. Net flow is the single most revealing migration metric because it captures the balance of attraction vs. departure. A state might have high inbound migration but still lose population if even more people are leaving. Net flow cuts through that noise. It's important to note that this measures domestic migration only — it excludes international immigration, births, and deaths, all of which also affect total population change.
What is Average AGI and why does it matter?
Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) represents the average taxable income of people migrating between states. The IRS data tracks AGI for both inbound movers (people arriving) and outbound movers (people leaving), which reveals the income profile of interstate migration. When a state's average inbound AGI is higher than its average outbound AGI, it's attracting wealthier residents than it's losing — a sign of economic strength. The reverse pattern (losing high earners, gaining lower earners) can signal economic challenges and erode the tax base over time. Comparing inbound vs. outbound AGI is especially useful for understanding whether a state's growth is economically productive or whether it's trading high-income taxpayers for lower-income ones.
Why are so many people moving to Sun Belt states?
Sun Belt states — particularly in the South and West — dominate the gainers list for several interconnected reasons. Lower costs of living mean housing, groceries, and daily expenses are significantly cheaper than in coastal metros. Many Sun Belt states have no state income tax or very low tax burdens, providing a direct financial incentive. Warmer climates attract both retirees and younger workers who value outdoor lifestyles. Job creation has been strong in these states, driven by business-friendly regulations and lower operating costs that attract corporate relocations and expansions. The rise of remote work has accelerated these patterns — workers who can live anywhere increasingly choose affordable, warm states while keeping their higher-paying coastal salaries. However, rapid inbound migration also creates challenges: housing price inflation, infrastructure strain, and water scarcity in arid regions.
Which states are losing the most residents and why?
States with the largest negative net migration flows tend to share common characteristics: high costs of living (especially housing), high state and local tax burdens, and in some cases, harsh winter climates. Northeastern and West Coast states frequently appear on the losers list. When a state loses residents, it also loses their tax revenue, which can create a negative feedback loop — fewer taxpayers means either higher taxes on remaining residents or reduced public services, both of which can drive further out-migration. The income data (AGI) adds another dimension: some states are losing higher-income residents disproportionately, which compounds the fiscal impact. Remote work has intensified these patterns because workers who previously tolerated high costs for job proximity can now leave without changing employers.
Does migration data predict population growth?
Domestic migration is one of three components of population change, alongside natural increase (births minus deaths) and international immigration. In many states, domestic migration is the dominant factor — states gaining tens of thousands of households through migration see clear population growth, while states losing residents often face population decline even if birth rates are moderate. However, some states with negative domestic migration still grow because international immigration and natural increase offset the losses. Migration data is a leading indicator: it shows where people are choosing to move today, which predicts economic growth, housing demand, and political representation shifts in the years ahead. Census reapportionment (which determines congressional seats) follows population trends heavily influenced by migration patterns.
How Migration Data Is Collected
Migration flow data is derived from IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) county-to-county migration files, which track year-over-year changes in tax return filing addresses. When a taxpayer files from a different state than the prior year, the IRS records that as a migration event. County-level flows are aggregated to state-to-state pairs. "Returns" approximate household counts (each tax return typically represents one household). Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reflects the income profile of interstate movers — comparing inbound vs. outbound AGI reveals whether a state is attracting higher or lower earners. Net flow represents the difference between inbound and outbound households.