Florida Remains Top “Magnet State” In Annual Moving Report

Americans continue to move south, with Florida, Texas, California, Arizona and North Carolina as leading 2019 destinations, according to Allied Van Lines' annual Magnet States Report.

Florida, Texas, California, Arizona and North Carolina were the top five destination states for consumers who moved with Allied Van Lines in 2019, and the top destination city for corporate moves was Houston, according to the moving companies’ annual Magnet States Report. The report highlights migration trends identified in Allied’s consumer and corporate moves throughout 2019.

Magnet States ReportFlorida, the “Sunshine State,” has continued to be the top destination for Allied consumers for the last six years thanks to its lower cost of living, no state income tax, warm weather and affordable housing options.

In 2019 the top destination city for consumers was Austin, TX – the nation’s fastest growing city. Geographically-centered in the “Lone Star State,” Austin benefits from a high concentration of major companies and tech start-ups located in the city, a lower cost of living, a healthy outdoor living culture and an abundance of job opportunities.

For work-related moves, the top destinations from highest to lowest volume were to: Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina. Texas, with its business-friendly climate, has ranked as the top move destination for Allied corporate customers for the last six years. The high influx of corporations moving to Texas makes it a highly desirable destination for top talent.

In 2019, the top destination city for corporate moves was Houston, TX. According to the Magnet States Report, Houston is the nation’s most diverse city, has no state income tax, and is a hub for the energy, healthcare and manufacturing industries. It is known for having a high quality of life and more affordable housing options than other major metropolitan cities. Houston has a strong job market, with its unemployment rate staying below four percent for the last seven months.

Allied Van Lines’ Magnet States Report data aligns with Census Bureau estimates reported in April 2019, that counties in the South and West lead the country in terms of population growth.

“Our mission is to help people get to where they need to go to for a new beginning, be closer to their families, for career opportunities and to grow their business,” said Lesli Bertoli, general manager and vice president of Allied Van Lines. “It’s interesting to see Americans continuing to migrate South and West this year and we look forward to seeing how this trend evolves in the new decade.”

Want to read more site selection-related surveys and research?

Check out all the latest surveys and research regarding economic development, corporate relocation, corporate expansion and site selection.