A recent study by Rocket Moving analyzed all 50 U.S. states to identify the ones people don’t want to move from the most. The study considers international and domestic migration, happiness scores, quality of life, cost of living, and average rent. All the initial data was taken from U.S. Census and World Population Review reports. Then, the study calculated the total migration rates per capita in 1 year, by which the states are ranked.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| State | Population | Net Domestic Migration | Net Domestic migration per 100,000 (2020-2023) | Net international migration | Net international migration per 100,000 (2020-2023) | Sum from 2020 to 2023 | Sum for 1 year per 100,000 | Happiness ranking | Quality of life | Cost of living | Rent | Safety |
| Idaho | 1,964,726 | 104,313 | 5,309.2899 | 2,599 | 132.2831 | 5,441.5730 | 1,360.3933 | 61.60 | 22 | 106 | $2,073 | 54.67 |
| South Carolina | 5,373,555 | 248,055 | 4,616.2178 | 15,017 | 279.4612 | 4,895.6789 | 1,223.9197 | 49.62 | 26 | 96.5 | $1,775 | 41.03 |
| Montana | 1,132,812 | 48,444 | 4,276.4377 | 2,557 | 225.7215 | 4,502.1592 | 1,125.5398 | 51.34 | 28 | 104 | $1,800 | 42.16 |
| Florida | 22,610,726 | 818,762 | 3,621.1221 | 175,333 | 775.4417 | 4,396.5638 | 1,099.1410 | 55.08 | 5 | 102.3 | $2,575 | 39.52 |
| Delaware | 1,031,890 | 38,468 | 3,727.9167 | 3,454 | 334.7256 | 4,062.6423 | 1,015.6606 | 55.16 | 48 | 103 | $1,610 | 51.36 |
| Arizona | 7,431,344 | 218,247 | 2,936.8443 | 30,489 | 410.2757 | 3,347.1200 | 836.7800 | 50.22 | 21 | 107 | $2,195 | 52.95 |
| Maine | 1,395,722 | 42,818 | 3,067.8029 | 3,595 | 257.5728 | 3,325.3757 | 831.3439 | 52.67 | 25 | 112 | $1,875 | 66.95 |
| North Carolina | 10,835,491 | 310,189 | 2,862.7129 | 37,031 | 341.7565 | 3,204.4695 | 801.1174 | 53.65 | 16 | 96 | $1,850 | 52.37 |
| Tennessee | 7,126,489 | 207,097 | 2,906.0173 | 11,418 | 160.2191 | 3,066.2364 | 766.5591 | 43.35 | 34 | 90.4 | $1,860 | 41.34 |
| Texas | 30,503,301 | 656,220 | 2,151.3081 | 164,062 | 537.8500 | 2,689.1581 | 672.2895 | 47.74 | 11 | 93 | $1,886 | 36.77 |
The top state from which people don’t want to move is Idaho, with 1,360 new residents per 100,000 people yearly. The state has the highest happiness ranking in the top 10. At the same time, the average rent in Idaho is one of the most expensive, at $2,073.
South Carolina ranks second in the list of states people don’t want to move from, with 1,233 people arriving per capita. Over 248,055 people from other states moved to South Carolina in the last three years. The state ranks lower than Idaho regarding quality of life, but the cost of living here is more affordable.
Montana takes third place, welcoming 1,125 new residents per capita. Domestic net migration to the state is smaller than in South Carolina or Idaho, totaling 48,444 people. The cost of living in Montana is similar to Idaho, but the rent is cheaper on average, at $1,800.
Florida follows closely with fourth place, with 1,099 people moving here per 100,000 people. The state ranks fifth for quality of life, the highest place in the ranking. Florida also has the highest number of international expats, but it is still 4.5 times less than the number of people moving to Florida from other states.
Delaware is fifth in the ranking of the U.S. states people don’t want to move from, with 1,015 newcomers per 100,000 residents yearly. The state has a higher happiness ranking than Florida or Montana. Delaware also has the most affordable rent prices, at $1,610 on average.
In sixth place is Arizona, welcoming 836 new residents per capita. The state ranks 21st in the quality of life, just above Idaho, but the cost of living and rent is higher here. In the last three years, 218,000 more people have moved to Arizona than left the state.
Maine follows closely with seventh place, with 831 people moving to the state per 100,000 people. The state has the highest cost of living in the ranking, but the rent is more affordable than in Arizona or Florida. Main ranks 25th in quality of life, just above South Carolina.
North Carolina takes eighth place, with 801 new residents per capita. The state has the second highest quality of life, following Florida. It is also one of the most affordable states, with its cost of living below the national average.
Tennessee holds ninth place, with 766 people moving to the state per 100,000 people. The state has the most affordable cost of living in the ranking. The average rent in Tennessee is only $10 higher on average than in North Carolina.
Texas closes the ranking with tenth place and 672 people moving here per capita. It is the second most affordable state in the ranking regarding the cost of living, and the rent amounts to $1,886, which is cheaper than in Arizona or Florida. Net international migration in Texas is smaller than in Florida, with 164,062 more people moving to Texas from other countries than Texas residents moving abroad.
