Americans Are Fleeing These Five States Like Syrian Refugees. Here Is Why They Are Leaving In Droves.

Millions of Americans are fleeing these five states. However, some places saw more residents flee than more others.

Key reasons for moving included a lack of jobs, high living costs, taxes, and extreme weather.

Surprisingly, Arkansas attracted the most newcomers in 2024.

The southern state was followed by Rhode Island, North Carolina, Washington D.C and Idaho.

Now, new data from Atlas Van Lines has new data  highlights the five states with the highest outbound moves last year.

Lack of jobs

Louisiana was the state that saw the most residents leave last year. The Shreveport Times reports the main motivation for those fleeing was limited job opportunities.

The unemployment rate in Louisiana was 4.3 percent in November, slightly above the national average of 4.2 percent.

Louisiana was also ranked the fourth-worst state for life expectancy in the country, according to a recent study by the Life Extension Foundation.

High Cost of Living

Realtor.com reported that after years of sky-high inflation and increasing housing costs, the cost of living has become a major factor for relocations.

California and New York were also among the top five states losing residents last year.

The Council for Community & Economic Research says California has the second highest cost of living in the US. Surprisingly, New York dropped from number one to fifth.

Many people fled Los Angeles because of the increasingly unaffordable cost of housing. L.A. is one of the most expensive places to live and raise a family. Residents say full-time day care can cost the same as a mortgage payment in the city of LA. As a result, many families seeking their futures and opportunities elsewhere.

California property taxes can also be in the five figures in certain areas. 

Taxes

Illinois Policy says that Illinois taxes are consistently ranked the No.1 reason residents leave Illinois.

Illinois state and local taxes take up around 13% of a median family’s income. Thus, making the state the least tax friendly state in the country.

Realtor.com says Illinois is a mess. The problem was the result of overspending that put the state in a hole. Therefore, taxing is the only way out.

Extreme Weather

South Dakota also included as one of the top five states Americans left last year. The state has the fourth harshest winters in the country.

Weather, including increased risk of hurricanes and flooding, is a big motivator for those looking to relocate.

Residents of California are increasingly struggling to insure their homes due to the increased risk of wildfires and other climate change related weather events.