What’s Driving Residents To Leave MA, According To New Study

Massachusetts is again among the states where more residents moved out than moved in during 2025, according to the United Van Lines 49th Annual National Movers Study, which tracks interstate household moves across the country.

The study found that Massachusetts ranked seventh nationwide for outbound moves, meaning a larger share of moves involving the state were departures rather than arrivals. United Van Lines defines a high outbound state as one where at least 55 percent of moves are leaving the state.

This actually marks a slight improvement for the Bay State: Last year, Massachusetts was the fifth leading outbound state.

The study identifies the most common reasons Americans moved across state lines in 2025, with the top reason being wanting to be closer to family, followed by a new job or company transfer, and retirement.

Michael A. Stoll, an economist and professor at UCLA, said that state-to-state relocation still largely reflects "a legacy of COVID-era preferences for lower-density living, combined with the reality that housing costs continue to drive people toward more affordable regions.”

The findings continue to show broader population shifts away from several Northeast states.

Across the country, New Jersey, New York, California, North Dakota, Colorado, and Mississippi recorded the highest shares of outbound moves in 2025.

Meanwhile, Oregon led the nation in inbound moves, with more people moving in than out. Other states with high inbound migration included West Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware, Minnesota, Idaho, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama and Nevada.

The annual United Van Lines study offers a snapshot of how and where Americans are relocating, highlighting ongoing changes in migration patterns driven largely by family ties, work opportunities, and lifestyle changes.

Check out the full analysis by clicking here.