As Americans battle the crippling cost of living crisis, some families have considered relocating to more affordable states.
An estimated 8.2million people moved from state-to-state in 2022, according to US Census data published last year, with many citing affordability and the ability to work remotely as driving factors in their relocation decisions.
Experts have now identified the states where natives are most likely to stay forever and those where residents are eager to flee as soon as they can.
Texas natives are the likeliest to stay put, analystsat the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas have revealed, followed by residents fromNorth Carolina, Georgia, California and Utah.
But data shows that states like Wyoming, North Dakota and Alaskahave the highest level of outbound migration with less than half of their native populations remaining on the state.Rhode Island and South Dakota have retained only 55.2 and 54.2 per cent of their native populations, respectively.
Experts have now identified the states where natives are most likely to stay forever and those where residents are eager to flee as soon as they can
Although state-to-state migration has trended downwards over the past decade, the number of people who relocated domestically rose from 7.9 to 8.2million in 2022, data from the US Census Bureau showed.
Thirty-two states had inbound moving rates higher than 50 per cent, with Texas and Florida recording the highest migration gains that year.
Most Americans who relocated said they chose to relocate to a state where they could afford to purchase a home, even if that state had fewer employment opportunities.
Researchers at theFederal Reserve Bank of Dallas last year analyzed data from theCensus Bureau's American Community Survey to further determine which states were retaining residents and why.
According to the analysts, 82 per cent of Texas-born residents have continued to live in the state, making it the state with the largest population of natives.
Texas has thelargest population of native residents with 82 per cent of people born in the state choosing to stay put, analysis of US Census data revealed. Pictured: An aerial view of Austin, the capital city of Texas
Wyoming has the lowest population of natives, with only 45.2 per cent remaining in the state, according to analysts. Pictured:Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Wyoming
North Carolina, Georgia, California and Utah have retained75.5 per cent, 74.2 per cent, 73 per cent and 72.9 per cent of their native populations, respectively.
These five states have recordedabove-average job growth between 2010 and 2019, and altogether have15 metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 1million people.
Four of the aforementioned states also have below average state and local tax burdens, which analysts say appeals to residents.
Wyoming has the lowest population of natives, with only 45.2 per cent remaining in the state. This is followed by North Dakota, Alaska, Rhode Island and South Dakota at 48.6 per cent, 48.7 per cent, 55.2 per cent and 54.2 per cent, respectively.
These states also have the highest levels of outmigration of all residents, not just natives.
Industry experts allege that most native residents who decided to relocate often do so because of affordability, an echo of what state-to-state migrants told the Census Bureau.
'Native residents who decide to leave typically do so because of the lack of affordable housing. Another top reason would be a slow job market, weak local economy. Other reasons could be high taxes, inadequate public transportation, traffic, stress, bad weather and high cost-of-living,'Dottie Herman, Vice Chair and former CEO for Douglas Elliman Real Estate, told DailyMail.com.
'By contrast, states gaining the most new residents offer affordable housing options, a better quality of life, robust job market, tax-friendly policies, diverse and safe cities, and lower cost of doing business. They also tend to have warmer climates making them particularly attractive for retirees and the elderly.'
North Carolina has retained75.5 per cent of its native population. Experts allege that like in Texas, residents from North Carolina have a 'strong sense of community and pride in where they're from'. Pictured: An aerial view of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina
Herman added, that 'most importantly' people tend to relocate to states with lower property taxes and no estate taxes.
In addition to economic benefits, experts say that there are 'emotional factors', such as the location of one's family, that contribute to a person's decision on whether or not to leave their home state.
'Places like Texas and North Carolina see lots of locals putting down roots long-term. I think a big part of that is the strong sense of community and pride in where they're from,' travel expert Elaine Warren told DailyMail.com.
She added: 'These states also balance jobs with traditions, family values - things that make people feel invested.'
'On the other hand, states with higher departure maybe need to focus on making the place more liveable. Sure, tough weather or fewer activities play a role, but building communities where people imagine their future is key.'
Warren, thefounder and CEO of The Family Cruise Companion, says she often sees 'similarities between trips and permanent moves'.
She claims that people tend to 'gravitate to spots that mix adventure, comfort and making memories'.
She believes that while offering 'practical benefits', such as affordable housing, city planners and policymakers should have a 'goal' of 'building communities where people feel at home both now and long term'.
