Recent migration trends show that thousands of Americans are seeking new horizons and moving to different states. In fact, interstate moving was at an all-time high in 2022 with a record-breaking 8.2 million Americans making the move across state lines.
As state-to-state migration patterns evolve across the U.S., StorageCafe ranked all 50 states and Washington D.C. by net migration using the latest migration trends to determine the top migration destinations in the country and to identify the main factors behind these patterns.
According to the study, Arizona emerged as a migration powerhouse in 2022, landing among the top states that attracted the most interstate homebuyers that year. Arizona took 4th place nationwide, with nearly 77,000 individuals making the move to the Grand Canyon State. Florida took the lead in net migration, with a net population gain of nearly 240,000 people in 2022, followed by Texas with a net migration of 172,000 and North Carolina with a net migration of 79,000.
Arizona’s high influx of interstate homebuyers in 2022 solidified the state’s status as a prime relocation destination. As people continue to turn to Arizona for their next move, StorageCafe points to the state’s robust economy, proximity to California, red-hot housing market and coveted climate as the reasons behind its strong appeal.
Among those who moved to Arizona in 2022, a significant 46% of newcomers became homeowners within their first year of relocating to the state, according to the study. Additionally, more people originated from California than any other state, with nearly 75,000 individuals making the move from California to Arizona in 2022. Washington State was the second-largest source of migrants to Arizona in 2022, with over 20,000 interstate movers. Other states sending significant amounts of people to Arizona include Texas, Colorado and Oregon, according to the study.
Arizona offers a 44% cut in home prices compared to California, making it an accessible haven for prospective homeowners moving from California. For those who migrated from Washington State, residences in Arizona are 29% less expensive and 51% of migrants became homeowners within their first year of moving in 2022. That being said, Arizona’s migration magnet status is taking a toll on real estate prices. In 2022, the median home value in Arizona was $399,303, which was a 45% five-year home value increase.
To read StorageCafe’s full report on the top interstate migration destinations in the U.S., click here.
