The most popular US states to live in 2024

The United States has long been the most popular immigration country in the world. However, the top states for expats are subject to changing trends. We present the best US states for immigrants in 2024.

Relocation trends in the USA

Where is a good place to live in the USA after winning the Green Card Lottery? Which state has an up-and-coming economy? Which regions have the lowest costs? In recent years, several trends in American relocation behavior have become apparent. The relocation portals moveBuddha and Montway have published the latest data and reveal which US states are currently particularly attractive for people looking to relocate.

Reasons for moving

The latest Census data shows that around 8.2 million people have moved to another state within a year, while the number of moves over shorter distances is declining. The reasons people pack up and seek their fortune in another state are varied. These include:

• availability of jobs
• better work-life balance
• favorable rental and real estate prices
• low cost of living
• low taxes
• quality of educational institutions
• existing infrastructure
• health care
• proximity to family
• proximity to parks or beaches
• climatic conditions
• opportunities for leisure activities
• special offers for senior citizens

In addition to these classic motivations, one factor has had a particularly strong influence on relocation trends in the USA in recent years:

More flexibility with remote work

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, remote working has become an integral part of many companies. The option to work remotely gives employees from many industries a high degree of flexibility. As a result of the new opportunities, thousands of people have left the large metropolitan areas with high real estate and rental prices since 2020 to settle in smaller cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living. The desire for a warmer climate or proximity to nature is now also compatible with career planning for many, thanks to remote work.

The 10 most popular US states in 2024

And here they are: these 10 US states are currently right on trend and will have the best ratio of in-migration to out-migration in 2024!

1. South Carolina
2. West Virginia
3. North Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Arkansas
6. Alaska
7. Wyoming
8. Oklahoma
9. Idaho
10. Nevada

Top spot 2024: South Carolina

The "Palmetto State" is trending. According to data from the moving platform moveBuddha, searches for South Carolina show twice as much interest in moving into the state as moving out of the state. And for the fifth year in a row! People looking to relocate are particularly interested in the coastal city of Myrtle Beach and the Appalachian town of Greenville.

The main reasons for this are the growing healthcare and technology sectors, the temperate climate, and affordable housing throughout the state. Overall, living in South Carolina is 11.5 % cheaper than the national average. In addition, the proximity to nature is also a good reason for many people to move to the South of the USA.

Where people move away: which US states are unpopular?

Traditionally popular immigration states such as California and the East Coast states have lost ground in recent years. This is also clearly reflected in this year's ranking. According to the relocation platform Montway, these five states are expected to have the highest percentage of out-migration in 2024:

1. Pennsylvania
2. Illinois
3. California
4. Minnesota
5. New Jersey

According to Montaway, the reasons for the poor performance of these states include slow economic growth, high taxes, a high cost of living, and high property prices. In the case of Minnesota, the cold winters also play a role. The possibility of remote work also allows many people from these states to move to a cheaper place to live while keeping their job.

Texas and Florida: popular with USA expats

Even though these two states did not make it into the top 10 in terms of the ratio of people moving in and out this year, they are still among the leaders in terms of the absolute number of people moving in.

Florida – an evergreen among immigrants and seniors

Sun, sand, and sea are just some of the reasons why Florida is so popular with people looking to relocate. The "Sunshine State" is still the most popular state for seniors and a longtime favorite among expats. Especially immigrants from Europe dream of the sweet life under the Florida sun, which offers the following advantages in addition to good weather:

• strong economy
• attractive labor market
• affordable real estate and cost of living
• no state income tax
• good infrastructure for pensioners (housing complexes suitable for senior citizens, good healthcare, tailored offers such as golf courses or fishing piers)
• wide range of leisure activities (national parks, amusement parks, galleries, nightlife, etc.)
• extensive calendar of events (festivals, sporting events, etc.)

Our Green Card winner Stefan and the expat couple Rüdiger and Melanie have given us interesting insights into life as an expat in Florida by talking to us during in-depth interviews. Take a look and be inspired by the experiences of our Green Card winners!

Texas, the boom state of the future?

The second largest US state, Texas, is said to have great potential for the future. An analysis by the relocation platform moveBuddha found that Houston could have more than 31 million people by 2100. The metropolitan regions around the Texas cities of Austin, Houston, and Dallas are on track to replace existing population centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in the future.

The reasons for the migration trend to Texas are manifold. Fans of the cowboy state especially appreciate these benefits:

• low cost of living
• warm, sunny climate
• economic growth and good job opportunities
• affordable real estate prices
• no state income tax
• good education facilities f
• uture-oriented energy sector

Has the Lone Star State caught your attention? Then, take a closer look at our article "Immigrate to Texas."

Immigrating to the USA: better with a Green Card

The "Palmetto State" is trending. According to data from the moving platform moveBuddha, searches for South Carolina show twice as much interest in moving into the state as moving out of the state. And for the fifth year in a row! People looking to relocate are particularly interested in the coastal city of Myrtle Beach and the Appalachian town of Greenville.

The main reasons for this are the growing healthcare and technology sectors, the temperate climate, and affordable housing throughout the state. Overall, living in South Carolina is 11.5 % cheaper than the national average. In addition, the proximity to nature is also a good reason for many people to move to the South of the USA.

Sources

census.gov, movebuddha.com, usatoday.com, wallethub.com, taxfoundation.org