2 million Americans rented a U-Haul for a one-way move in 2021. Not all states are even, however, with some having net inbound moves and others having net outbound moves. U-Haul (and other providers) monitor this closely, as they have to adjust pricing or deadhead equipment to move it to where demand is.
What were the top ten states, with most net inbound moves?
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Arizona
6. Indiana
7. Colorado
8. Maine
9. Idaho
10. New Mexico
And what were the bottom ten states, with most net outbound moves?
50. California
49. Illinois
48. Pennsylvania
47. Massachusetts
46. Alabama
45. New York
44. Oklahoma
43. Louisiana
42. Michigan
41. Arkansas
U-Haul notes that demand for outbound moves from California was so strong that “U-Haul simply ran out of inventory to meet customer demand for outbound equipment.” Texas faced the opposite problem, with a U-Haul official there noting the state’s strong job market, low cost of living, and lack of an income tax.
Lots of factors go into decisions to relocate. In a 2014 law journal article, I listed the factors that have been studied: housing prices, location of family and friends, educational opportunities, infrastructure such as airports or ports, the weather, the cost of living, and even area restaurant quality. But it’s notable that the top three states have no state income tax, and several of the others in the top ten have broad-based, low-rate simple tax systems. Most of the states in the bottom ten have complex, burdensome state tax systems. Illinois and Indiana are a key contrast: two states with very different tax and regulatory systems but similar weather, culture, and cost of living, and Illinois is shedding people while Indiana is gaining.
Have you moved states recently and if so, why? Let me know at jbh@ntu.org.