From rising costs to shifting climates, millions of Americans are packing up and leaving states they once called home. Once-booming regions like California, New York, and Illinois are now seeing record departures as residents chase affordability, safety, and sunshine somewhere else.
Let’s take a look at 15 of the most undesirable states Americans are ditching for better ones, and whatâs driving the great American migration.
1. California
California embodies the American dream with its sunshine, beaches, and endless opportunities. So why are so many people leaving this state? Sadly, soaring home prices, wildfires, and the ever-increasing cost of living have pushed even lifelong residents to rethink their options.
For many people, the Golden State just doesn’t seem so golden anymore, prompting a surprising and steadily growing migration out of the West Coast.
2. New York
While New York might be famous for its ambition and excitement, it is now seeing lines of departing residents. The pandemic led to urban flight, but high rent, taxes, and the state’s relentless pace have made many residents seek greener pastures.
Even lifelong New Yorkers have admitted that the cityâs magic sometimes fades under daily stresses, making quieter, more affordable parts of the country look irresistible.
3. Illinois
Illinois, which is anchored by the bustling Chicago, is in the hot seat for reasons beyond winter cold. Property taxes are some of the highest in the nation, and pension debts keep rising.
Paired with crime concerns and sluggish job growth outside Chicago, these issues are pushing families and young professionals to start fresh in other states.
4. New Jersey
New Jersey packs the squeeze into every square mile with its hefty taxes, long commutes, and congestion. What once seemed like a no-brainer for families who wanted a suburban life now feels unsustainable.
Even with great schools and proximity to NYC, the stateâs population shrinks every single year as residents calculate the toll on their paychecks and sanity, choosing lower-cost options in neighboring states.
5. Michigan
Detroitâs rebirth grabs headlines, but across Michigan, thereâs a quieter trend: thousands of people are heading out. Manufacturing jobs have declined for decades, and some small towns are shrinking fast.
The state’s harsh winters are another major issue. The enthusiasm for staying has cooled, and graduates frequently launch their careers elsewhere, chasing promise in states with sunnier economies and lifestyles.
6. Connecticut
Nowadays, Connecticut is known for its quaint New England charm, rolling hillsâŠand a steady stream of moving trucks heading for other states. The state’s high taxes and expensive real estate are the main reasons why locals grow restless, but thereâs also a sense that excitement is lacking.
Many younger people and retirees crave more affordability and entertainment, often finding it in southern or mountain states with more appeal.
7. Oregon
Oregon dazzles with its forests, craft coffee, and progressive spirit. So why are so many people leaving the state? Portlandâs rapid gentrification, housing shortages, and growing reports of social unrest have soured the âmove Westâ allure.
What was once a magnet for creatives and millennials now feels out of reach for many people, prompting them to chase their dreams elsewhere, even as loyal Oregonians defend their home.
8. Louisiana
Louisiana celebrates food, music, and Mardi Gras, but not everyoneâs sticking around for the party. Jobs are harder to find, industrial decline stings, and fears about severe storms and floods persist.
Some leave reluctantly after generations, searching for stability that even gumbo and jazz canât provide. For locals, the heartbreak is real, but the decision to leave is becoming increasingly common.
9. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is an intellectual powerhouse and is home to iconic universities and innovation. However, many Bay Staters are saying goodbye to the high cost of living, cramped urban spaces, and bitterly cold winters.
The lifestyle isnât for everyone, and young families, in particular, are leaving because of the promise of more space, better weather, and friendlier price tags somewhere down the highway.
10. Pennsylvania
With its awesome historic sites and chocolate towns, Pennsylvania seems like a solid place to live. However, ongoing exits tell another story; job opportunities are hard to come by, and entire regions are losing young talent to growing southern cities.
Small towns, especially, are struggling. Thereâs love for Pennsylvaniaâs past, but for many, the future now looks brighter and more promising somewhere else than it does at home.
11. Ohio
Ohio, long considered an ideal piece of America, is feeling hometown heartbreak. The âbrain drainâ continues as educated youth look for careers in cities with more excitement and advancement.
Factory job losses, economic ups and downs, and the lure of warmer, more dynamic places turn what used to be a lifelong stop into a stepping stone heading elsewhere.
12. Alaska
Alaska is the land of adventure and wild beauty, but record numbers are moving away. Life on the edge is expensive and isolating. Harsh winters, high shipping costs, and limited job markets catch up with even the hardiest souls.
The pull of easier living, roads, and milder winters in the lower 48 states now outweighs the idyllic, untamed promise of the frontier.
13. West Virginia
Coal country and mountain pride are the heart of West Virginia, but the population is becoming smaller year after year. Industry collapses have left communities struggling, and few options are drawing residents back home.
Those who stay cling to deep roots, but for many, hope and opportunity lie elsewhere, as new generations trade mountain vistas for city lights and steady paychecks.
14. Rhode Island
Unfortunately, Rhode Islandâs charm canât keep all of its people anchored. With only a few large businesses and limited housing options, residents are seeking brighter prospects and more affordable rent elsewhere.
Surrounded by bigger cities and bustling opportunities just across state lines, the smallest state often finds itself at the top of moving-out lists, sending residents in search of a better work-life balance.
15. Hawaii
Paradise comes at a steep price, and Hawaiiâs cost of living is among the nationâs highest, squeezing local families and newcomers. Many are heartbroken to leave, but economics often dictate the move.
Housing shortages, shipping costs, and limited job opportunities push even multigenerational residents to the mainland. The beauty endures, but everyday life has become too expensive to ignore.
Two Decades
It isnât just one reason or one region; some of these states have lost big portions of their population in the last two decades. Housing costs, job opportunities, climate change, and cultural politics are all pushing people away.
For many families, the search for a better quality of life overrides sentimental ties, fueling a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Where Are People Going?
So where are all these departing Americans headed? Top destinations include Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas, which are states boasting sunshine, jobs, and growth.
For some people, itâs about affordability; for others, it’s about freedom or fresh opportunities. No matter the reason, the data shows that warm-weather states and those with lower taxes have become the newest magnets for restless movers.
Home Prices
In some cities from the states above, home prices have skyrocketed, while others face home abandonment and shuttered storefronts. Shockingly, certain communities now sit half-empty, while neighborhoods in growing states canât build houses fast enough.
This âreshufflingâ is creating winners and losers on a national scale, impacting everything from local economies to school funding to political power.
The Reasons and Emotions
The reasons and the emotions behind these moves are as diverse as America itself. But one trend is clear: these 15 states are being left behind as millions of people chase different dreams.
Whether itâs cost, climate, or just the search for a better lifestyle, Americans are on the move, rewriting the countryâs map and facing new realities as they go.