People continue to move to Idaho, studies show

For several years in a row, Idaho is among the states seeing an influx of people moving out of other states such as New York and California.

Two studies conducted by moving companies United Van Lines and Atlas Van Lines show that Idaho is one of the states people continue to move to, along with North Carolina, Arkansas and Alabama, all of which made both lists. On United’s list, neighboring Oregon topped the list of inbound movers, especially the Eugene and Springfield region.

That doesn’t mean that people are only moving into the Gem State. According to the United Van Lines study, in 2025, Idaho saw a total inbound population of 57.8% and a total outbound population of 42.2%. The biggest reason for moving into Idaho was for family at 21.6%, which was also the largest reason for leaving. Retirement was the second largest reason for relocating to the state.

Jobs brought in 17%, while lifestyle attracted 15.9%, and cost (5.7%) and health (2.3%) came in last.

Ages 65 and older topped the list of those moving to Idaho at 41%, and was the largest group (58.5%) moving out. Fifty-five to 64 was the next largest group moving in at 28.8%, and also the second largest moving out (18.9%). The 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 age ranges were the third largest groups moving in, both tied at 11%. Ages 18 to 34 were the lowest moving to the state at 8.2%.

“For most Americans, interstate relocation is no longer a linear calculation, it’s a complex decision balancing multiple competing factors,” said Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in The Department of Public Policy at The University of California, Los Angeles, in the United Van Lines study. “It is interesting to see that in general, population movement continues from North/Midwest regions to Southern states ― and again top inbound locations dominated by smaller to medium size metro areas. This 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 United study showed that the states with the largest outbound migration in 2025 were New Jersey, New York, California, North Dakota, Colorado, Mississippi and Massachusetts. The Atlas study showed that the largest outbound migration came from Louisiana, West Virginia, Wyoming, Delaware, Nebraska, Arizona, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Dakota and South Carolina.

Though some of the data in the two studies is contradictory (Atlas showed Delaware as being a top state being moved out of, whereas United showed it as a top state being moved into), states like New York have shown a relatively consistent outbound migration percentage over the past 10 years.

“The data reveals Americans are seeking a different pace of life, and destinations like Oregon [which topped United’s inbound list for 2025], the Carolinas and the South are delivering it,” said Eily Cummings, vice president of communications at United Van Lines. “While our total number of residential moves is similar to 2024, we’re seeing much greater complexity in why people move and increasingly divergent migration patterns across age groups.”