As consumer prices rise, many Americans are packing their bags and moving to places where they can stretch their money further.
Moving company United Van Lines released its latest annual National Movers Study, which is based on data from household moves handled by the UniGroup network in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. UniGroup is the parent company for United Van Lines.
It’s the 48th annual study of its kind, and affordability was a driving factor for movers last year, as well as the desire to be closer to family.
“Recent migration data from United Van Lines continues to reveal the lingering influences of the global pandemic,” said Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the department of public policy at The University of California, Los Angeles, in a press release issued by United Van Lines. “As housing costs continue to rise, Americans are moving to lower density, more affordable regions between expensive, economic-driving states.”
The United Van Lines analysis ranked states based on the percentage of people moving to a given state in 2024, and the states on this list were most popular with those who cited a lower cost of living as their reason for moving.
10. New Hampshire
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 6.1%
Estimated state population: 1.4 million as of 2024
Despite being chosen by many movers as a state with better living costs, in the third quarter of 2024, New Hampshire had an overall cost-of-living index of 111.5. That’s well above the national average of 100, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
Its housing index was 116.2 and its utilities index was 121.3. Its grocery costs index was 100.3 and its health care was 110.3. It has the 14th highest cost of living in the country and is the most expensive on this list.
It has a state and local tax burden of 9.6% as of 2022 (the latest data available), ranking 23rd of the 50 states, in terms of taxes as a share of income.
9. Indiana
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 6.2%
Estimated state population: 6.9 million as of 2024
Indiana had an overall cost-of-living index of 91.3 in the third quarter of 2024. Its housing index was 77.3, and its utilities index was 92.1. Its grocery index was 97, and its health care index was 97.7. These below-average expenses make Indiana the 10th most affordable to reside in.
Its state and local tax burden was 9.3% as of 2022.
7. Iowa (tie)
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 7%
Estimated state population: 3.2 million as of 2024
Iowa had an overall cost-of-living index of 90.4 in the third quarter of 2024, the ninth-lowest in the U.S. Its housing cost index was 75.4, and its utilities 92.9. Iowa’s grocery cost index was 96.5, and its health care cost index was under the national average as well at 96.7.
Its state and local tax burden ranked 38 out of the 50 states, at 11.2% in 2022.
7. Alabama (tie)
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 7%
Estimated state population: 5.2 million as of 2024
Alabama had an overall cost-of-living index of 88.8 in 2024’s third quarter, the fifth-best in the country. Its housing cost index was 71.4, and its utilities 100.5. Alabama’s grocery cost index was 97.8, and its health care cost index 90.1.
Alabama’s state and local tax burden of 9.8% in 2022 put the state at 13th in the nation for those types of taxes — close to the middle of the pack. But a few Alabama counties have some of the lowest property taxes in the nation.
6. South Carolina
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 7.1%
Estimated state population: 5.5 million as of 2024
South Carolina’s overall cost of living was the 23rd-lowest in the county, with an index of 95.2, in the third quarter of 2024. Its housing costs had an index of 86.4, though its utilities cost index was much closer to the national average at 99.3. Its grocery costs had an index of 99.6, and health care costs had an index of 93.4.
South Carolina’s state and local tax burden was 8.9% in 2022, putting it in 11th place.
5. Louisiana
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 7.4%
Estimated state population: 4.6 million as of 2024
Louisiana’s overall cost of living ranked 19th in the nation in the third quarter of 2024, with an index of 93.5, compared to the national average of 100. Its housing cost index was 84.4, and its utilities cost index 81.1, both comfortably lower than average. The state’s grocery costs had an index of 96.6, and its health care costs were 95.2.
Louisiana’s state and local tax burden was the 15th-lowest in the U.S. in 2022, with a rate of 9.1%.
3. Oklahoma (tie)
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 8.2%
Estimated state population: 4.1 million as of 2024
Oklahoma’s overall cost of living ranked fourth lowest in the nation in the third quarter of 2024, with an index of 87.9, compared to the national average of 100. Its housing cost index was 74.7, and its utilities cost index was 96.5. The state’s grocery costs had an index of 96.5, and its health care cost index was 99.3.
Oklahoma’s state and local tax burden was the 5th-lowest in the U.S. in 2022, with a rate of 9%.
3. Idaho (tie)
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 8.2%
Estimated state population: 2 million as of 2024
Idaho’s overall cost of living ranked 33rd in the county in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an index of 102. Its housing costs had an index of 99.1, though its utilities cost index was much lower at 77.7. Its grocery costs had an index of 101.9, and health care costs had an index of 101.4.
Idaho’s state and local tax burden was 10.7% in 2022, putting it in 20th place in terms of taxes as a share of income.
2. Delaware
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 9.8%
Estimated state population: 1.1 million as of 2024
In the third quarter of 2024, Delaware had an overall cost-of-living index of 100.2, putting it just above average. Its housing index was 96.5, and its utilities index was 97.3. Its grocery costs index was 102.1 and its health care was 101.5. It’s the 20th highest cost of living in the country.
Delaware has a state and local tax burden of 12.4% as of 2022, ranking 33rd of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. That’s the highest tax burden to make this list.
1. Tennessee
Inbound movers who cited better living costs as their top reason for moving here in 2024: 10.1%
Estimated state population: 7.2 million as of 2024
Tennessee had an overall cost-of-living index of 90 in the third quarter of 2024. Its housing cost index was 82.8, and its utilities cost index was 86.
Tennessee also has some of the lowest taxes. Its 2022 state and local tax burden of 7.6% was the third-lowest in the nation. What’s more, several of its counties have some of the lowest property taxes in the nation, and the state has no earned-income taxes.
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