We Ranked the States in America From Worst to Best, & Why Americans No Longer Want to Live There

Alaska is a snowy state with a lot of beautiful land. However, the state sees a lot more people leaving than moving there. It’s not just the remote location that keeps people away.

According to Juneau Empire, “A lot of wise people who follow economic and population trends list the factors as inadequate state support for K-12 schools and the university system, lack of available housing, a shortage of child care, and better economic opportunities elsewhere.”

Kentucky is the bluegrass state and it’s full of sweeping fields and, well, the home of bluegrass! Yet, it’s a lack of jobs that sends a lot of people from the state.

United Van Lines once stated, “More than half the people who move out of Kentucky are leaving to take a better job somewhere else.” With the cost of living rising and the minimum wage at $7.25, some of the wages that people in Kentucky can get aren’t enough to support them.

Arkansas is a beautiful state dubbed The Land of Opportunity. Despite the numerous natural parks and a pretty well-known college, the population is dropping.

A lot of this comes down to the fact that even if somewhere is beautiful, you still have to afford to live there. According to some sources, around 71% of people in Arkansas who leave are looking for work. Unemployment is high, and it makes it hard for many in the state to cover everything they need.

West Virginia has long been known for its natural beauty. However, the state also suffers from high unemployment rates that drive young people living there to move.

John Deskins, the director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at West Virginia University, offers some insight into part of the issue. He says, “Population growth is part of making the state attractive to potential businesses. A business has to be confident it’s going to find workers it needs before it locates in an area.”

Oh, Iowa. This state is beautiful and rural but, then again, it seems like beautiful landscapes aren’t enough to keep people in the state. United Van Lines once reported that “68.22% are moving out of the states to find employment, while 12.4% are leaving for retirement.”

On the other hand, personal anecdotes from Reddit site the weather, infrastructure, and the opinion that “Iowa’s a boring state to live in.” With all that in mind, it’s easy to see how the beautiful, rolling fields might wear on you after a while.

There was a 10-year stretch where Oklahoma seemed to be on the rise in popularity. However, in the past handful of years, the tides have turned.

Chad Wilkerson, who served as the Vice President of the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, once explained, “A driving force in recent out-migration from the state has been relatively fewer job opportunities than in some other parts of the country following the oil price drop of 2014-2015.”

During the move to the west when the United States was expanding, Missouri earned the nickname the Gateway to the West. You can see this commemorated with the huge arch in the state. However, a lack of jobs available can make it harder to live in the state.

According to Moneywise, “Jobs are the reason behind 63% of the moves” out of Missouri. The Bureau of Labor Statistics added, “Factories have been closing around Kansas City, causing that metro area to lose 1.9% of its manufacturing jobs over the past year.”

North Dakota is also known as The Peace Garden State. Still, it doesn’t seem that too many people are tempted by that peace, considering that it’s one of the least populated states!

Despite the beautiful landscapes and spacious areas, United Van Lines said, “The most common reason to leave North Dakota — cited by nearly 61% of those who move out — is the lifestyle.” Some people online have done a little less research and summed it up to, “What’s interesting about North Dakota?”

Mississippi is a state with a lot of history behind it. It’s also a go-to spot for some tourists looking to enjoy Southern comfort food. It’s not as popular to live in, though.

The Tradition once reported, “When we analyze population estimates by age, we see Mississippi is losing people at the age when they would be entering their prime earning years, while other states are gaining them.” In other words, younger generations are leaving as their careers grow.

Georgia is in the South, and it’s a really popular tourist destination. Cities like Atlanta and even Savannah can bring tourists in to see what the state has to offer. Then again, as far as moving to Georgia, there are some drawbacks.

Namely, the costs associated with living there. According to Governing magazine, the cost of rent in Atlanta has risen a whopping 28% since the year 2000 and has likely only risen since then.

As big as the United States is, it’s no surprise that the climate varies wildly. Minnesota is further north and has snowy, frigid winters. It’s not the weather that’s the only problem — the state even had a brief stint of people moving in a while back.

98.1 Minnesota’s New Country once said, “62.43 % of people moved out of the state for different jobs. And 17.99% of people left because of retirement. Everyone knows someone who snowbirds down to a warmer state for the winter!”

Nebraska is another rural state that offers a lot of natural beauty and more weather variety than you might think! So, if someone leaves Nebraska, what made them pack their bags?

As per United Van Lines, “A hefty 70% of those who move out of Nebraska are leaving in search of work.” While the job market here isn’t bad, minimum-wage jobs take the large portion, leading people to leave to start their careers.

The northern state of Maine is situated on the water and boasts both ports and mountains within its borders. As for the population, about 59% is made up of elderly residents. So, what’s the complaint? Well, given how far north it is, it is one of the colder states.

One resident, Elsa K., wrote on Quora that “it gets cold during the winter. And windy and snowy. I’m from northern Iceland, and the winters in Maine aren’t as long or dark as in Iceland, they are colder and snowier.”

When it comes to retirees, Utah is actually a really popular choice. Why not? It’s a state full of natural parks and even mountains to visit. Yet, a lot of younger people are moving out for economic opportunities like better jobs.

Housing prices also are on the rise. In 2019, the National Association of Realtors said, “The median price for an existing single-family home in Salt Lake City has climbed 8% over the last year to a stiff $358,000.”

You might hear proud residents from Indiana lovingly refer to themselves as Hoosiers. Still, in 2023, Business Insider reported that the state had 41% of moves as inbound and 59% of moves as outbound.

There are a few things at play here. For one, the weather can get harsh, and some look for states with fairer weather. Another issue that WTHR, a local news outlet, cited was the high taxes the city charges.

The Garden State has a little bit of everything. It’s known for its beaches and food, and there’s even a lot of family life, despite what some reality shows about the state may focus on. However, the state is seeing a lot of people leave.

What could keep them away from a state that offers so much? United Van Lines answers this question, “More than a third fleet the state because of job opportunities elsewhere, and an equal share leaves to find greener pastures for retirement.”

Pennsylvania isn’t the northernmost state in the country but it’s far enough north that parts of the state do deal with cold weather. It definitely has some draws, including some of the lowest costs of living in cities like Philadelphia compared to other major cities on the East Coast.

Pew Charitable Trusts explained, “What is clear is that there is not one overarching reason for relocating. Most of those who left Philadelphia characterized themselves not as fleeing, but, rather, as seeking new opportunities elsewhere.”

Michigan is another state that offers a lot of beautiful sites. From beaches to national parks, there’s enough nature for everyone! However, the harsh winters send retirees packing.

Bridge Magazine stated, “While the state offers job opportunities in computers, math, and management, it’s got even more lower-paying work — such as in food preparation, paying under $20,000 per year.” This means that once people reach a certain point of growth in their career, they often move to other states to see what opportunities are available there.

Hawaii seems like paradise to live in. After all, it’s often marketed to tourists by tourism companies as a real-life island utopia. Then again, it’s not the most affordable place to live, but that’s what most people expect.

Michael Hernandez, who moved to Florida from Hawaii, said, “The only way that I would return to Hawaii is if I hit the lottery and could make enough to move my family and retire. However, that seems almost impossible with just how much more everything costs on the island.”

Maryland is a state rich in history and offers a lot to do. It’s also close to D.C., making it a popular choice for anyone who works in the district. So, what’s the drawback? What pulls people away from Maryland?

The two big things are people moving out as they retire and outside employment opportunities. The majority fall in the latter category, which makes sense when you consider how many colleges are located in Maryland and the alumni spreading their wings.

An open, rural state, Kansas is a great place to go if you want to delve into something like agriculture. Yet, many people are still leaving the state.

A lot of people moving out cited the fact that looking for work led them out of the state. However, there’s something to be said for the weather too. While it’s definitely livable, the increased risk of tornadoes can make the weather turn some residents away.

According to Cowboy State Daily, Wyoming was one of “several states [that] saw nearly the same number of residents moving inbound as outbound.” As such, some of the inbound and outbound reasons given were conflicting.

Those who lived and worked in Wyoming and moved out often cited retirement as a reason to move. Then again, retirement was also a big reason that those moving to the state said they were drawn in.

Ohio has a lot of rural landscapes that are great if you’re looking to slow down and smell the roses where you live. Plus, it has a low cost of living! With benefits like that, what draws people away?

Once again, according to United Van Lines, “The biggest reason by far is jobs, at 60.75%.” The chair of the UCLA Department of Public Policy, Michael Stoll, “[We’re seeing] young professionals migrating to more vibrant, metropolitan economies like Washington D.C. and Seattle.”

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enrichment. Still, that doesn’t mean that the population moving in never leaves.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 58,443 people moved out of the state in 2022 — with many moving to Texas and Arizona, followed by Colorado and Florida. However, the state also sees an influx from those states as well, creating a bit of balance in the population.

There are some places in Nevada that really attract tourists, like Las Vegas. However, some of the other areas of Nevada have become a popular retirement choice.

If the state offers so much peace and natural beauty, why would people leave for different states? Well, according to Triple 7 Movers, while jobs can draw people in, the weather can push them back out. After all, the state is mostly made up of a desert climate.

Arizona has long been a popular state for new residents. However, it’s seeing more and more residents move away to see what’s beyond the state’s borders.

The Phoenix New Times reported that a Gallup poll found that 38% of polled Arizonians reported wanting to move out of the state. While the poll didn’t focus on why they wanted to move, other sources have indicated that harsh weather and high housing prices are to blame.

There’s a lot that draws people to Washington. In general, the state boasts a lot of jobs and a high quality of life when surveying the residents. So, what would make someone leave the state of Washington?

One thing is affordability — there are plenty of jobs, but the cost of living is higher too! Some parts of the state are less popular as well because the weather is harsher as it’s one of the northernmost states in the Pacific Northwest.

Virginia has a lot to offer. On the economic side, taxes are low. On the scenic side, you have mountains, beaches, and even a few cities that you can enjoy.

According to the Nation Movers study, 23.54% of Virginians leave because they’re retiring although the state sees an influx of retirees from other states as well. The bigger demographic, coming in at 48.25%, report moving out of the state for employment opportunities.

There’s a lot more to Wisconsin than the Green Bay Packers and great cheese. It’s got a pretty low cost of living and it looks like employment is on the rise at the moment.

You need to love the cold to live here and it can drive some retirees away as they end their careers. As per the National Weather Service, “In the entire state’s recorded weather history, every winter but five, hit temperatures of at least 30 below zero.”

When you think of a state with plenty of wide-open spaces, Montana offers plenty. You might have even heard a few different stories of celebs flocking to the state. The weather and jobs aren’t driving people away either!

Radio station 107.5 once explained, “55% of all moves are to leave the state. The biggest reason for people leaving Montana is family.” While sprawling landscapes are great, it does put you further away from your family when you have to drive further just to see your neighbors.

Ah, California. The state pulls people in with a long coastline, cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and a spacious state with a lot of variety, what could possibly drive people away? Well, the U.S. Census Bureau says people are moving out.

In their annual American Community Survey, they found that, “In 2018, approximately 691,000 people moved from California to another U.S. State.” A lot of residents leaving cite the heavy traffic and high cost of living as reasons they moved away.

Massachusetts is a great place to live if you want to enjoy the laid-back life of small northern towns or jump into a slightly bigger city, like Boston.

Once, 90.1 WBUR said, “The high cost of housing in the Boston area, both to buy and to rent, is another factor, forcing quality-of-life trade-offs that many prospective residents may not be willing to make.” Some former residents have also said they don’t miss the harsh winters or traffic they dealt with in the state.

Connecticut is actually a really popular choice among the younger demographics living there. It’s actually retirees that are moving out of the state.

Once again, citing United Van Lines, “People nearing retirement (ages 55 to 64) are most likely to move out of Connecticut. More than half those who depart have incomes of $150,000 and up.” The harsh winters can drive the older population to warmer pastures, and some move to states with lower costs of living.

Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan or would rather settle in the countryside further upstate, New York has a lot to offer.

Still, Bloomberg once reported that “close to 300 people move out of New York every day.” It’s not hard to see why when you consider how hard it can be to find employment as you get into the rural parts of the state versus the sky-high housing rates in New York City.

The American South has a distinct culture, but Louisiana — especially as you get closer to places like New Orleans — has a culture all its own.

Despite so much to offer, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2019 that “after hitting a high in 2014, the number of people employed in Louisiana has decreased significantly. In fact, 4,801 fewer people are employed.” Again, this is another case where you can love where you live a lot, but the cost of living compared to your income is something you still have to consider.

Illinois offers a lot of variety. You can spend time in more rural areas if you’d like or enjoy a bit of the major metropolis that is Chicago, all without leaving the state. Yet, people are leaving.

According to Governing, “A 2016 poll by Southern Illinois University found that nearly half of Illinois residents wanted to move to another state, citing taxes, weather, ineffective and corrupt local government, and a lack of middle-class jobs.”

If you like what the Pacific Northwest has to offer, you can get much deeper into it than living in Oregon or Washington. Plus, Oregon boasts cities like Portland as well.

According to Business Insider in 2023, 42% of moves have been inbound to the state while 58% have been outbound. When asked, a lot of residents cited the high cost of living in the state and some expressed concern about crime rates in Portland.

Colorado is a state known for its impressive mountains and even some great cities to visit, like Boulder. Still, the state has recently seen a lot of people moving out. What happened there?

Well, the cost of living is getting high, namely the cost of buying a house. Some others who have left the state have said they’re looking to get away from the increasing pollution and the surprising amount of traffic the state contends with.

Florida has seen its share of mixed news over the years. Of course, there are some things that are hard to sell, like alligators and “Florida Man” stories every day.

However, the state actually sees a pretty high influx of people, mostly retirees, each year. It’s easy to guess why too — it’s got a near-tropical climate that makes for a warm retirement spot. Plus, given that it’s a peninsula, there are plenty of places to hit the beach!

New Hampshire has a big draw to it. According to a report from the New Hampshire Granite State Polls, “People (appreciate) the overall experience of living in New Hampshire because of a combination of local benefits.”

This includes things like the environment, the social culture New Hampshire has, and the affordable cost of living. On the other hand, as far north as the country is, sometimes the harsh winters can leave some residents looking for somewhere a bit warmer to live.

While North Carolina doesn’t have Myrtle Beach, it still offers a lot of Southern charm along with plenty of beaches in the easternmost part of the state.

The state draws people in with plenty of job opportunities to support a relatively affordable cost of living. Even if you’re on the western side of the state, there’s a lot of natural beauty to explore. It seems that most people who move out of North Carolina are trying out the appeal of bordering states.

South Carolina is actually one of the states that sees a lot of influx, both from new residents and tourists stopping by hubs like Charleston or Myrtle Beach.

A large part of what attracts people to the state is not only the scenery but the low cost of living. According to Economic Times, the state is approximately 11.5% cheaper to live in than the average state ranks in the U.S. It’s easy to see why that would draw people in!

We can’t lie, Vermont is one of those states that sees a lot of popularity for it’s close-knit, small town culture and the weather.

Then again, that tight-knit culture can feel a little cold if you aren’t a part of the crowd, which some have cited as their reason for moving. Others cited that they were looking for jobs or for a state with lower property taxes. Like in many cases, what draws Vermonters away can vary a lot depending on the individual.

Delaware sits at a rather equaled out position in its ranking because it sees a pretty good influx of residents alongside an expected level of people moving out. According to Delaware Online, the split is generational.

They report that retirees looking for a place to settle down tend to see Delaware as a top choice. However, those who are younger are leaving to find new job opportunities as they move forward in their career.

When it comes to natural beauty, it’s hard to beat South Dakota. However, that’s not the only thing that keeps the population increasing. The state doesn’t have an income tax, which is a pretty attractive draw for anyone in the workforce.

Plus, according to Top 10, the state pairs that with low housing costs and one of the highest job growth rates in the country. With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why the state’s population is growing.

Texas is another state that sees its population grow rapidly. The state is filled with culture and multiple vibrant cities nestled in rural landscapes.

The cost of living is low — according to Top 10, Texas is about 14% cheaper to live in than the national average. Plus, it’s a state that boasts no income tax, which is always appealing. There are plenty of job opportunities as well.

When it comes to the Southern states, Alabama sees a lot of influx of people into the state. United Van Lines reports it as one of the top 10 destinations for their customers moving into Alabama versus moving out.

Eily Cummings, who serves as the Corporate Communicated United Vice President, once explained, “Since 2020, the primary drivers for people moving into the state include to be closer to family, cost of living, and some retirement.” Cummings also noted, “The ability to remote work has been a driver for those moving to Alabama.”

Rhode Island is seeing a pretty frequent influx of new people moving into the state, especially when it comes to older demographics looking for a place to retire. While tiny, the state does offer quite a bit! GoLocal Prov said the state has a high inbound rate at “65% of moves being inbound.”

However, it’s also not uncommon for Rhode Islanders to pick up and move to neighboring states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York either. Some looked for warmer states, like Florida, but the state sees some new residents look for a break from warmer climates too.

While there are a lot of people who think of Idaho as the potato state, it actually has a lot to offer that has led to population growth over the years. Not only is the state gorgeous but it has a surprisingly robust tech scene as well as agricultural opportunities.

According to Idaho Business Review, “A shift in salary dynamics has helped Idaho attract workers from other areas and retain local tech talent, providing a more favorable environment for professionals to thrive within the state.”

If you want somewhere to live that offers a lot of beautiful rural land as well as a bustling music metropolis, Tennessee is a great choice. Those are only a few of the reasons that moving to the state has become more popular.

With a lot to do outdoors and affordable housing with a low cost of living makes Tennessee appealing. That being said, you might see that price inflate if you’re trying to live right inside of Nashville.