Moving Industry

Why So Many People are Moving to States Like Texas

by nlgaonline
In the last few years, there has been a significant shift in migration as Americans relocate out of state and settle into new locales seeking different jobs, better housing, and more opportunity. No one has a better handle on consumer relocation than the movers who help customers with their long distance moving needs. In the map below, you can see data aggregated by Atlas Van Lines, one of the largest interstate transport companies in the U.S., that shows the number of inbound and outbound shipments by state. Based on the data collected, you can see that states like Texas and Florida top the charts for the number of inbound moves, while places like New York and New Jersey are losing residents. So why are some states gaining popularity while others are dropping? Here are the top 5 reasons states like Texas and Florida are so attractive to those moving.
This map, courtesy of Atlas Van Lines, shows current migration patterns in the U.S.
This map, courtesy of Atlas Van Lines, shows current migration patterns in the U.S.

1. Jobs

One of the biggest reasons people love moving to Texas is for the ample employment opportunities. In Texas, the oil and gas industry has turned the state into an economic paradise ripe for the pumping. According to Investopedia, business services, healthcare, construction, technology and financial services are big business too, with cities like Dallas, Austin, and Houston driving the region’s economy. Resilient to much of the fall out from the mortgage crisis, the Texas economy has remained healthy for decades, enabling the state to set the pace for nationwide job growth. In 2014, Texas added more than 450,000 jobs, far outpacing even the closest competitors, California and Florida. Texas, it appears, is a land of opportunity.

Texas far outpaces the competition when it comes to job growth, as this graph from the governor's office depicts
Texas far outpaces the competition when it comes to job growth, as this graph from the governor’s office depicts

2. No Income Tax

Five of the states who have seen the greatest influx of people, Texas, Florida, Alaska, Washington, and Tennessee, also happen to be no income tax states. Residents of these states get to hang onto more of their paychecks than states who charge their residents for state income tax. Additionally, Texas is extremely business friendly when it comes to taxes, which incentivizes more businesses to set up shop there.

 3. Cost of Living

The low cost of living in Texas means residents on average spend less on housing, groceries, utilities, and other necessities than people in other states. Those moving from expensive cities like San Francisco or New York find the change refreshing, and they find that they have more money to spend on luxuries than they would back home. One moving company in Houston that we spoke with said they couldn’t believe the number of long distance moves they’ve completed in the last couple of years for people moving into the state. “We’ve helped dozens of families relocate from California to Houston in recent years. When we ask why they’re moving, many tell us they just can’t afford the exorbitant expense of real estate in California anymore.”

When many think of Texas, the picture cowboys, guns, and cattle drives, but the state's economy and culture is much more diverse than most give it credit for.
When many think of Texas, the picture cowboys, guns, and cattle drives, but the state’s economy and culture is much more diverse than most give it credit for.

4. Weather

The weather in Texas is often hot and humid, but some prefer the consistently balmy temperatures to the more drastic climate shifts in more northern geographies. In Texas, dealing with snow or ice is a rarity, with average temperatures even in the winter months hovering between the 40s and 60s for most of the state.

5. Family Friendly

Low cost of living means there’s plenty of room for even large families to spread out. The public school systems, while not at the top of the charts, get the job done. In fact, you might be surprised to know that Texas students actually clenched some of the highest scores on nationwide testing, even outranking students in states like California and New York.

Many people move to Texas because the low cost of living makes it a great place to raise a family
Many people move to Texas because the low cost of living makes it a great place to raise a family

There are plenty of reasons people are moving to Texas and it’s expected that the trend will continue for many years to come. For moving companies in the state, the influx of people is a welcome boost to normal sales.

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