How To Move Plants Long Distance

Publish Date: June 26, 2025

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: Green Moving, Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: california, cross-country move, Florida, hireahelper, how do I move my plants, how to move plants across the country, how to move plants cross country, how to move plants long distance, how to move plants long distances, long distance move, long distance moving, long distances, movers, moving, moving my plants, moving plants, plant laws, plants, texas, transporting plants

Moving long-distance across the country is already a juggling act. You have to get transportation, find movers, and pack up everything — and then there are your beloved plants to think about. You’ve spent years nurturing that towering monstera deliciosa and tending your English rose garden. At this point, your green friends are basically family! They’ve gotta come with you, right?

The good news is that moving plants cross-country is difficult but doable. And while the task is daunting, it’s possible with the right prep work. Let’s dig (pun intended) into everything you need to know about how to move plants cross-country.

Here’s a quick overview of how to move with plants:

Understand legal regulations and moving company rules.
Decide which plants to move.
Prepare your plants.
Choose a transportation method.
Pack the plants.
Care for plants on arrival.

Know the Rules: Legal & State Regulations

The transportation of plants is carefully regulated in many parts of the United States. The first step in figuring out how to move houseplants all the way across the country is to look into legal restrictions and moving company rules.

Can Movers Move Plants?

Unfortunately, most moving truck and shipping container companies don’t transport plants. Plants are usually not allowed on a moving truck due to certain state laws and possible liability. At the end of the day, it’s just too much of a hassle for the movers to handle living things.

And don’t try to get sneaky and hide your plants among your other belongings, either. Doing so could void your contract with the long-distance movers and would invalidate any protections if the plants lead to a mess that damages your things.

That said, it’s still possible to move your plants long distances. It just requires proper planning and execution.

Moving Plants Cross-Country: The Legal Lowdown

You may not think moving plants across state lines comes with legal pitfalls, but it definitely does.

States that rely heavily on agriculture — specifically, California, Texas, and Florida — are very wary of allowing in any pests or invasive species of plants that could destroy crops. Several have strict regulations around bringing in plants from out of state. California, for example, doesn’t allow you to bring any type of citrus plant from another state. Florida also prohibits citrus unless you have a special permit.

The United States Department of Agriculture even bans the transport of certain plant pests, including witchweed. If you really want to know all the rules, you can check out the USDA’s full list of regulated plants within all 50 states and U.S. territories.

“Once it’s time to dig those plants out of your old garden, you’ll want to be careful not to dig too near the base of the plant…[i]nstead, dig a ring around and a bit away from the main stem of your plant…[f]or larger plants, the ring should be at least 6 inches deep.”

Because the rules for each state are different, you’ll need to research which states you’re traveling through and ensure you don’t risk having your plants confiscated at border checkpoints. Some states allow you to bring in plants that exclusively grow indoors, but may require you to repot them with sterile soil before moving. Others may require a certificate of inspection or have you quarantine your plants before bringing them home.

Contact these departments for each state you’re passing through to check for the restrictions, permits, and inspections you may need when moving plants across state lines.

Here are a few best practices for moving plants cross-country, no matter the destination state:

Get familiar with the restricted plants list specific to your destination. You can typically find this on the state government website, usually under the local Department of Agriculture branch.
Inspect and clean plants to make sure they’re free of pests and soil-borne diseases.
Repot plants in new, sterile soil.

Decide Which Plants Should Make the Trip

Once you figure out which plants you can legally move, it’s time to consider each one individually. After all, not all plants can or should be transported.

Here’s how to decide which plants should come with you to your new home:

Check the destination environment. Only move plants that can survive and thrive in your new climate.
Think about your new outdoor space. Is there a spot for the plant? Does it have the conditions — shade, sunlight, soil type, etc. — to survive?
Evaluate plant age and health. For the best chances of survival, take only hearty and healthy plants. It may sting, but it’s a good idea to leave older or fragile plants behind.
Consider the practicalities. Make sure you have the time and space to dig up, pot, and transport plants. It may not be feasible to bring large plants with you.
Plan for seasonality. The best time to move plants is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild. If you’re moving in the summer or winter, take only the plants that can withstand extreme temperatures.

What do you do with the plants you can’t bring? No proud plant parent wants to say goodbye to their collection, but that may be what you have to do. Spend some time finding them a good home by donating them to friends and family, users on PlantSwap, or people on sites like Facebook Marketplace.

Prepare Your Plants for the Move

Once you’ve decided which plants are worth taking, it’s time to get them ready. A quick drive across town might not require much more than careful packing, but longer moves need a bit more preparation to keep your plants healthy and safe along the way.

If you’re planning a long-distance move, it’s important to prepare your plants properly:

Water your plants a couple of days before the move. This means they’ll be hydrated but not waterlogged for the move. The last thing you want is a sloppy, muddy mess that gets everywhere inside your vehicle.
Inspect your plants for pests or dead leaves, and prune them. Doing this will minimize the risks of damage during your move.
Nestle smaller plants together in a box in their original planters. Use crumpled paper, dividers, or bubble wrap to prevent them from clinking together or moving around. Wine shipping boxes are also great for this — just be sure to leave the top open for adequate airflow.
Use clean, sterilized pots, even if not required by law. This is good practice in general for the health of your plants.
Pack fragile plants with plenty of room for airflow. This helps prevent traumatic experiences for your plant.
Move larger plants to plastic pots. You’ll reduce weight and potentially avoid broken pots. Want to avoid plastic? Use a lightweight, eco-friendly planter. Consider covering the top of the planter with cardboard or a burlap bag to prevent the soil from spilling when things get jostled around.
Transfer your plants to their containers a couple of weeks ahead of the move. You want to give them enough time to adjust to their temporary housing and ensure the moisture level is just right.

How To Move Plants From a Garden

If you’re relocating the plants you’ve grown in your own garden, you’ll need to do a bit of extra legwork. Transferring plants from the ground to containers can be a shock, so it’s important to prepare them for the trip.

Here’s how to prepare garden plants for moving:

Allow for several days of generous watering. Be careful not to overwater. Too much water in the soil can prevent plants from soaking up critical oxygen through their roots.
Dig around the drip line. Once it’s time to dig those plants out of your old garden, you’ll want to be careful not to dig too near the base of the plant. Tearing or shredding the flesh of the roots is unhealthy for the plant. Instead, dig a ring around and a bit away from the main stem of your plant, carefully paying attention to any roots you may find. For larger plants, the ring should be at least 6 inches deep.
Maintain the original soil. Don’t shake or remove any soil from the root ball since this is some of the best protection for your plant during the move.
Contain plants correctly. As you dig up and remove each plant from the ground, waste no time transferring them to the pots, buckets, or burlap you’ll be transporting them in. Remember that you’ll need to keep everything adequately watered, so a pot or tub will keep your burlap-wrapped friend from leaking all over your car!

Choose the Right Method of Transportation

Choosing a transportation method is an important part of figuring out how to move plants cross-country. The most common options are:

Car. Put your plants in boxes, and place them on your car seats.
Rental truck. Pack plants into the cab of your moving truck.
Mail. It’s a little complicated to learn how to ship plants when moving, but it’s possible as long as you follow the carrier’s rules.

Method	Pros	Cons
Car	Affordable Easy to control the temperature Easy watering	Limited space Potential for a mess
Rental Truck	Lots of space	No temperature control Possible plant damage due to movement
Mail	Saves space Convenient	Rules and restrictions Higher cost

Pack Plants Properly

As we stated, moving companies don’t usually transport plants (but it’s worth asking). So, in most scenarios, you’ll be moving them yourself.

How to Prep Plants for Different Vehicles

Here are some prepping tips, depending on how you’re getting to your new home, since the type of vehicle you use will impact how you pack and care for your plants along the way.

For Cars

Pack with care: Don’t seal them in a box! They need space, especially for fragile or temperature-sensitive plants. In some cases, you may want to place them in front where you can control the climate. And be sure to keep them out of the trunk, where airflow is limited.
Secure plants carefully: Again, you want to avoid much movement. Use seat belts to keep the plants in place. Or, if that’s not feasible, use ropes, string, or bungee cords.
Avoid open vehicles: It may be tempting to throw ‘em all in the back of your truck, but heavy winds and bad weather can damage plants — especially over a long time. Do yourself a favor and keep them in a covered space.
Consider your fragile or sensitive plants: Some of your green friends may be particular about temperature. They should go in the front, where there’s access to A/C or heat, and the driver can keep an eye on them.
Keep an inventory: If you have a lot of plants, you may want to keep a list of them all. This makes tracking their needs and locations easier.

For Rental Trucks

Store in the front cabin only: As you would in a car, place plants in the front cabin where they’ll get proper airflow and sunlight. Keep in mind that rental companies like U-Haul may even provide plastic bins to help contain any mess.
Clean carefully: Remember that U-Haul, Penske, and Budget Truck Rental have cleaning fees if your plants leave a mess. However, U-Haul is a little vague with its cleaning fee policy, and Budget simply claims a “reasonable fee.”

How to Prep Plants for Shipping in the Mail

If it’s not possible to personally drive your plants to your new destination, you’re not totally out of luck.

Believe it or not, the second-best option when moving plants across the country is to mail them. It’s not ideal since you can’t directly control how they’re handled or allow them to get water and sunlight while in transit. However, you can take steps to minimize the risks.

First, choose a fast shipping option to reduce the time in transit, but not so fast that your plants arrive at your new home before you do. And be prepared for higher shipping costs.

Here’s how to pack plants for shipping:

Remove the pot. Trim the roots, wrap them in a few wet paper towels, seal them with a plastic bag, and place them in a box. For longer trips, add a couple of teaspoons of polymer moisture crystals to water and apply this slurry to the roots before wrapping them in plastic. You can also loosely roll the plant in newspaper before packing it to help protect the stems and leaves.
Pack securely. The box you choose should be sturdy but not too roomy, as you don’t want the plant to bounce around inside. You should fill every empty space around the plant with newspaper and bubble wrap to ensure it stays secure. You can also put a “fragile,” “live plant,” or “this end up” label on the box (even better, all three) so handlers know to be careful.
Timing is key. Ship it at the beginning of the week. Much of the USPS doesn’t operate on weekends, increasing the odds your plants will sit in a dark room for a couple of days. Additionally, check the weather for the day of your box’s arrival so your beloved plant doesn’t freeze or wilt.
Note any restrictions. The law is still the law. Be sure you’re following the regulations for shipping plants in the mail.

Care for Plants When You Arrive

As soon as you arrive at your new home, you’ll have a hundred things to do. But keep in mind, unlike your flat-screen TV or dining table, plants can wilt and die. It’s important to sort out your garden and replant as quickly as possible.

Get planting spots ready: Be sure to have your plants’ new homes ready to go before you take them out of their old ones. The less time your flowers and plants spend in limbo, the better.
Use enough soil for transplants: If you’re transplanting from smaller pots to bigger ones, put lots of soil at the bottom and have more on hand to fill in the extra space around the edges.
Prep the ground properly: If you’re planting directly into the ground, make sure each new hole is big enough, and water it thoroughly before you pull anything from its pot. Pack the soil solidly, but not so much that the water runs off and away.

Water generously in hot weather: If you can’t help but exercise your green thumb in the heat of summer, douse your freshly dug holes with even more water before transferring those plants. The roots will need lots of moisture to mitigate the shock of being uprooted and exposed to the hot air and sun.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Plant Move

Ready to hit the road with your garden? Use these tips to keep your plant family happy and healthy during the drive to your new home:

Use plastic bins and trays to prevent leaks. You’re going to want to water your plants during the move, and all that moisture has to go somewhere. Place your pots in plastic bins or trays to keep moisture off your car seats.
Make a plant care kit. Be prepared to keep your plants safe on the drive by packing extra bubble wrap, a small pair of pruning shears, and plenty of water. It can’t hurt to bring some extra soil and a few extra pots in case of breaks or cracks.
Time your drive carefully. Heat can stress your plants, so try to travel before noon or in the early evening to keep temperatures in check.
Ventilate the car. Plants need plenty of fresh air, so consider cracking a window every so often. This is easy to forget, especially if you’re traveling in hot or cold weather, but it makes a big difference.
Download apps in advance. Download a few plant-care apps to your phone to help you handle any issues during your trip. Great options include Planta, Plant Parent, and Pl@ntNet.
Think before leaving plants in the car overnight. Staying at a hotel along the way? Bring your plants with you if you expect the temperature to change dramatically overnight. If the weather is consistent, crack two windows to allow ample airflow.

Learning how to move plants cross-country requires quite a few details, but it’s completely doable. By carefully choosing which plants to take and going the extra mile to prepare and transport them correctly, you can ensure they arrive safely in your new city. And with your new place filled with your old friends, it will start to feel like home before you know it.

How to Pack Wine for a Move

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: June 6, 2025

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: How To Pack, Pro Packing Guides

Tags: Tags: boxes, california, dish cart, grapes, movers, moving, packing, vineyard, vinyard, wine, wine glass, wine glasses, wine packing

Packing wine for a move may not be as enjoyable as sipping on a new pinot noir or chardonnay, but arriving with every bottle intact makes the effort worthwhile.

Wine bottles and glassware are inherently fragile. They need to be packed safely while also protecting the wine itself from temperature shifts, vibration, and prolonged exposure to light. With professional advice, you can prep your collection for a safe, spill-free ride.

Before we dig into the details of moving wine, there’s one more thing to keep in mind. If you’re moving to a new state or country, look up local alcohol regulations as you plan. There may be guidelines dictating how you must transport and declare alcoholic beverages.

Supplies Needed to Pack Wine Safely

When moving with wine, it’s crucial you set yourself up for success by assembling the right packing materials. You’ll need:

Dedicated wine boxes or crates. Boxes and crates designed to hold wine will have separate compartments for each bottle. These containers often hold 6-12 bottles at a time, though you don’t have to fill all the slots.
Other boxes/shipping containers. In a pinch, sturdy all-purpose moving boxes will work as an alternative to dedicated wine boxes, but you’ll need to add extra padding or inserts. Keep in mind that full wine bottles are heavy, so choose packing containers that are sturdy and durable. And be sure to cut up an extra cardboard box into rectangular slats to separate bottles when packing.
Bubble wrap and/or packing paper.These are the materials you’ll use to wrap each bottle. You’ll also use some as extra padding to keep wrapped bottles from getting too close to the side of the box or each other.
Packing tape.Once your wine bottles are safe and secure, you’ll use packing tape to seal the box to prevent accidents during transit.
Labels. Using printed stickers that say “Fragile” and “This Side Up” ensures everyone knows these boxes need additional care and attention.
Waterproof wine protectors (optional). Many companies now offer waterproof wine protectors that envelop each wine bottle and close with an airtight seal. These bags are less about protecting the wine and more about preventing a broken bottle from spreading. These eco-friendly baggies are reusable, too! You can use them again when you bring wine home from vacation or take a bottle to a dinner party or picnic.

In general, your goal is to cushion your wine in a container strong enough to support the weight of a full case of bottles, and the listed materials will be best at helping you meet that goal.

Step-By-Step Guide for Packing Wine

Now that you know what you need to have on hand, you can begin the packing process. It’ll take longer than you think, especially since you’re working with fragile or expensive bottles. So as you start breaking down your cellar or wine fridge, keep these 6 packing tips for wine in mind.

Step 1: Have Your Collection Appraised

If you own a lot of high-value bottles, have your collection appraised (if you haven’t already).

An official appraisal by a qualified professional can be used to insure your wine in case the unthinkable happens as you move.

Step 2: Sort Wine by Type and Size

Always pack similar wine types and bottle sizes together to streamline the process. This also prevents accidentally unbalancing a box by putting a half bottle (375ml) on one side of a container and a magnum (1500ml) on the other.

“Wine endures a lot of rolling and shaking during travel. This can result in a phenomenon called “bottle shock” that causes the wine’s flavors to seem muted or off.”

Also, take this opportunity to set aside any opened or partially full bottles — these aren’t ideal for transport and are more likely to leak or spoil.

Step 3: Wrap Each Bottle Individually

Every bottle should be wrapped separately using bubble wrap, packing paper, or specialized bottle sleeves. I

f you’re using waterproof wine bags as an extra precaution, put those on your bottles before adding padding. Cushion bottles generously so that you can’t feel the hard curves of the glass through the wrapping.

Step 4: Tuck Wrapped Bottles Into Your Boxes

If you’re using a dedicated wine box, you can slide one wrapped bottle into each slot. If you’re using a regular shipping box or other container, only pack as many bottles as the container can securely hold without being too heavy (usually 40 lbs is the limit per box). Use cardboard slats to separate bottles.

Step 5: Fill in the Gaps

Keep wine bottles from shifting during your move by filling any empty spaces with wadded packing paper or bubble wrap. Bottles shouldn’t be in contact with each other or with the side of your shipping container.

Step 6: Add Labels

Label all your boxes with warnings that are impossible to ignore. “Fragile” labels are a must, while “Delicate” and “Keep Upright”/”This Side Up” with an arrow indicating which side is up can also be helpful.

Pro Tip: Remember to transport and store bottles “lying down” to keep the wine in contact with the cork. This keeps the cork moist and expanded to help maintain the bottle’s seal and prevent pesky leaks and oxidation. Wine bottles with non-cork seals (like twist-offs) can be stored standing up.

How to Transport Wine Safely

After learning how to pack wine for a move, the next step is learning how to transport it to your new home safely.

Even though you’ve labeled your boxes, take a moment to remind your movers that the wine is fragile. Boxes shouldn’t be stacked too high or put on an unsteady surface.

Always transport wine in a temperature-controlled vehicle held at a consistent 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to excessive heat or cold can cause the wine to expand, contract, or spoil, potentially pushing corks out or affecting taste. If your moving truck does not include a climate-controlled cargo hold, consider shipping your wine with an approved courier that does, or transporting it in your own vehicle.

Unpacking and Reassembling Wine

Wine endures a lot of rolling and shaking during travel. This can result in a phenomenon called “bottle shock” that causes the wine’s flavors to seem muted or off. It’s an easy fix, however — just let the wine sit undisturbed for at least a week. This allows sediment to settle before you uncork your first bottle for a celebratory drink.

“Every bottle should be wrapped separately using bubble wrap, packing paper, or specialized bottle sleeves. If you’re using waterproof wine bags as an extra precaution, put those on your bottles before adding padding.”

Also, check your bottles and corks for damage as you stock your new cellar, wine fridge, or shelves.

Learn more on our How to Pack Hub.

FAQs About Moving Wine

What if my wine is fragile or oversized?

If you’re moving fragile or oversized wine bottles, it’s even more important that you use specialized wine boxes. This helps prevent shifting during transit and keeps each bottle separate and secure. Especially large bottles may require custom-made boxes.

Can I move wine myself, or should I hire professionals?

If your collection is extensive or contains expensive and rare vintages, consider hiring professionals who specialize in wine transport. They can ensure proper handling, packing, and temperature control throughout the move.

Cats vs. Dogs: Which U.S. States and Cities Are the Most Pet-Friendly?

Author: HireAHelper

Publish Date: September 27, 2024

Last Modified Date: May 20, 2025

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: alaska, Austin TX, bakersfield ca, boston ma, california, colorado, dallas tx, dogs vs cats, fresno ca, gilbert az, hawaii, honolulu hi, lubbock tx, Massachusetts, minnesota, montana, north carolina, pet friendly cities, pet friendly states, pet rent, pet tax, pets, plano tx, rhode island, viginia beach va, where to move with pets, which city loves cats, which city loves dogs, which state loves cats, which state loves dogs, which states have low pet rent

Key Findings

Overall, America is a very pet-friendly country with 73.2% of total rental listings allowing small dogs, large dogs, or cats.
Colorado is the most pet-friendly state with 86.3% of listings allowing animals while Hawaii is the least pet-friendly at just 33.2% of listings.
Austin, TX is the most pet-friendly city in the U.S. with 93.3% of listings allowing furry fellows, contrasted with Honolulu, HI with just 19.8%.
Montana has the highest preference for dogs while Massachusetts prefers cats the most.
Virginia Beach, VA is the city that prefers dogs the most while Boston, MA distinctly prefers cats.
Americans generally prefer dogs over cats with 38 states preferring dogs and just 12 states preferring cats.

If there’s any truth in this life, those living in the USA absolutely adore their four-legged family members. According to the American Pet Products (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey of 2023 and 2024, an incredible 66% of households in the U.S. own a pet. That’s a whopping 86.9 million people, making up a lot of furry friends that need a suitable home.

Couple this with the fact that 34% of U.S. households are also renters and you have a strong and passionate demographic of pet parents who need pet-friendly accommodation to house everyone in the family, four-legged or otherwise.

“…[W]hen exploring the top 15 least pet-friendly cities in all of the U.S., we see a trend of these cities appearing close to the coasts. Eleven out of fifteen cities are by bodies of water, while five out of the fifteen appear in the state of California.”

However, not all landlords allow pets, making it hard for owners to move to their desired locations. In fact, the issue has become so widespread that there are talks of a bill in California that would bar property owners from asking about pets on applications, prohibit additional monthly fees for pet owners, and limit pet deposits.

HireAHelper loves pets, so we had our data experts analyze real estate listings to uncover the most pet-friendly cities and states around the country.

Read on to find out which states and cities are the most welcoming for pets.

Colorado Crowned the Top Pet-Friendly State in the U.S.

Not all states have landlords who love inviting pets into their rental units. While 73.2% of total rental listings that were analyzed in the U.S. allowed pets, this meant that 26.8% allowed no pets whatsoever. Explore the map below to find out which states are most pet-friendly.

In our study, Colorado stood out as the most pet-friendly state in America. The state, known for its outdoorsy lifestyle and varied landscape of mountains, rivers, forests, canyons, and deserts has an incredible 86.3% of its rentals listed as pet-friendly. So those looking to live with their furry friends will find it incredibly easy to locate an accepting home in The Centennial State.

In second place is Minnesota with 84.8% of pet-friendly listings. As another outdoorsy state, Minnesota has plenty of space for dog and cat lovers alike, which adds another reason why it’s an ideal home for people moving with their pets.

North Carolina comes in at third with 83.2% of its rental listings currently open for pets. According to the World Population Review, 58.6% of homes in North Carolina have a pet in general, with 41.3% of homes owning a dog and 26.5% owning a cat.

Law-Strict Hawaii Is the Least Pet-Friendly State

While some states are welcoming to critters, some are less open. A state with a low number of pet-friendly listings means those looking to move there will have a hard time finding a home that they can live in. Here are some of the states that make it all that much harder to be a pet parent.

The paradise state of Hawaii ranked as the least pet-friendly state with just 33.2% of rental listings welcoming to pets. This is no surprise, as a previous study done by HireAHelper found Hawaii ranked as the state with the most restrictive rules, earning a Stringency Score of 69.7 out of 100.

Rhode Island ranks as the second least-friendly state for pets, with just below half (49.3%) of rental listings allowing animals. One reason for so few pet-friendly homes could be that the state has an older housing stock, with many historic buildings, so landlords may be concerned that pets could cause damage to properties that are already expensive to maintain and restore.

Rounding out the top three least pet-friendly states is Alaska, with just over half (50.2%) of its total rental listings allowing pets.

Colorado Is the Most Dog-Friendly State While Minnesota Is the Most Cat-Friendly

Now that we know the states that are the most pet-friendly overall, we wanted to delve deeper into which states are the most dog-friendly and which are the most cat-friendly. To do this, we analyzed the total listings that allowed dogs of any size and the total listings that allowed cats. Using this data, we then calculated which states have the highest percentage of listings for each.

Our study found that, as well as being the top most pet-friendly state in the U.S., Colorado is also the most dog-friendly state. 85.4% of rental listings welcome dogs making it the perfect spot to settle down with your pooch..

North Carolina comes in as the second most dog-friendly state with 82.9% of listings allowing dogs, closely followed by the southern state of Texas which has 81.5% of dog-friendly listings.

It’s all well and good knowing which states dogs will absolutely love, but where’s the best state for cat owners to settle in?

Minnesota ranks as the most cat-friendly state with 82.7% of rental listings allowing felines. In its capital, Minneapolis, cats are so loved that a Minnesota man set up an annual cat tour with hundreds of attendants.

Colorado (which seems to be becoming the most mentioned state ever for pet-friendliness) also ranks highly as cat-friendly, coming in second place with 79.3% of listings allowing cats. If you have a mix of dogs and cats, you now know where to move! Washington state squeezes into third place with 78.7% of listings allowing cats.

Montana Prefers Dogs the Most While Massachusetts Prefers Cats

After we discovered which states are the most dog and cat-friendly overall, we wanted to find which sates prefer dogs over cats the most, and vice-versa. To do this, we took the number of dog-friendly and cat-friendly listings and found the difference in percentage between the two. If one leaned towards a particular pet, we labeled that state as preferring cats or dogs the most.

Leading the pack, Montana is the state that prefers dogs the most over cats. 57% of rental listings allow small dogs while just 45% allow cats, giving it the biggest difference in preference at 12%. This is followed by Alaska with an 8.9% preference for dogs and Wyoming with an 8.8% preference.

When looking at the states that prefer felines the most, Massachusetts comes out on top with 58% of rental listings allowing cats, compared with 47% of listings allowing dogs, resulting in an 11.1% difference. Some other states also preferred cats, but minimally, including Illinois and Connecticut, which both have a 4.6% preference towards cats.

To explore all our pet data of which states are the most pet-friendly as well as which ones have the most dog or cat-friendly rental listings, use the table below.

Austin, Texas Is the Friendliest U.S. City for Pets

Knowing which states are friendly towards pets is nice enough, but you’ll have to live somewhere in one. So let’s dig into some of the U.S’ most populated cities and see where they stand when it comes to accepting furry friends.

Austin, TX is the most pet-friendly city in the U.S., with a whopping 93.3% of rental listings allowing pets. Scraping in at an incredibly close second place is another Texas city, Plano, which has 93.2% pet-friendly rental listings, and to round things off, Dallas, TX comes in third place with 92.7% of listings allowing pets.

The interesting thing about this Texan trio is that their pet-friendliness doesn’t just extend to apartments and homes for rent, it’s baked into the cities themselves.

“While 73.2% of total rental listings that were analyzed in the U.S. allowed pets, this meant that 26.8% allowed no pets whatsoever.”

Austin is incredibly dog-friendly, with many establishments allowing dogs, whether you pop out for a bite to eat or fancy a beer in the sun. Plano is even a certified Better City For Pets meaning that it has local organizations working to end pet homelessness, ample pet-friendly housing, pet amenities like free poop bags, and dog-friendly shops and restaurants.

Honolulu, Hawaii Is the Least Pet-Friendly City

Interestingly, when exploring the top 15 least pet-friendly cities in all of the U.S., we see a trend of these cities appearing close to the coasts. Eleven out of fifteen cities are by bodies of water, while five out of the fifteen appear in the state of California.

We already know that Hawaii is the least pet-friendly state in the U.S., so it makes complete sense that its capital and largest city, Honolulu, would be the least pet-friendly city of all. In fact, Honolulu has just 19.8% of rental listings that allow animals, making it difficult for anyone with animals to find a place to live.

Bakersfield, California comes in second, with 39.5% of rental listings allowing pets. In third place is Fresno, California, with just under half (44.7%) of its rental listings allowing animals.

As for why these cities are not so pet-friendly, it’s likely a combination of factors, some of which include environmental concerns, fewer homes with yards, and a lack of pet-friendly infrastructure (such as dog parks) leading to fewer pet owners moving in, thus creating a feedback loop of less demand for those amenities.

Austin, Texas Is the Most Dog and Cat-Friendly City in the U.S.

When looking at which cities have the most dog-friendly and cat-friendly listings, Texan cities appear often throughout our study. It’s clear: if you want the biggest choice of pet-friendly rentals paired with vibrant city living, head southwest.

The up-and-coming city of Austin, Texas has ranked in our study as the top most dog-friendly city in the country. The city has a whopping 93.1% of its listings catering to dogs.

Plano, TX comes in second place with 92.9% of its listings allowing dogs, closely followed by Dallas, TX with 92.5% of rentals open to the doggy community. Other notable mentions include Denver, CO, Nashville, TN, and Charlotte, NC.

Austin seems to be the dream location for both dog and cat owners, as it’s the number one city for both pets. With 90.6% allowing cats, Austin has slightly fewer cat-friendly homes to rent than dogs.

The second most cat-friendly city in the U.S. is Irving, TX, with 90.6% of listings allowing cats. Although the same percentage as Austin, the first city technically has more rental opportunities thanks to its larger population. Plano, TX comes in a close third with 90.5% of listings allowing curious cats.

Virginia Beach, Virginia Prefers Dogs While Boston, Massachusetts Prefers Cats

In the battle between dogs and cats, cities also showed a strong preference between the two.

Virginia Beach City, VA had a big preference for dogs with 68% of total rental listings allowing them while just 55% allowed cats, giving dogs a 13.4% preference. Lubbock, TX followed the dog-friendly train with an 11.3% preference towards man’s best friend shortly followed by Gilbert, AZ, with a 10.9% preference for dogs.

In contrast, city cat lovers seem to be more passionate about their feline friends, as the percentage differences are starker. Boston, MA (which is in a state that we already know to be full of cat lovers) sees 51% of rental listings allowing cats, compared with just 35% allowing dogs making a great 16% difference. St. Paul, MN has the next biggest preference for cats with a 9.3% difference, and Minneapolis, MN comes in third with a cat preference of 7.4%.

To explore all our pet data of which cities are the most pet-friendly as well as which ones have the most dog or cat-friendly rental listings, use the table below.

Do You Live in a Dog State or a Cat State?

Although we know that Americans love pets in general, there are definitely preferences when it comes to dogs and cats, and the divide can actually be seen geographically.

Overall, Americans generally prefer dogs over cats. Thirty-eight states have more dog-friendly rental listings than cat-friendly, including Texas, Florida, and California. However, just 12 states still prefer the aloof cat with more feline-friendly listings including New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, showing that it’s the more northern and northeastern states that prefer cats in contrast to the rest of the country.

Explore the map below to find out if you live in a dog state or a cat state.

The Pet Tax: How to Negotiate Paying Pet Rent

While it’s all well and good knowing where in the U.S. accepts the most pets, there’s still the looming issue of pet rent, the costs associated with living with your furry friend. Not all rentals charge pet rent, but for those that do it can make the cost of renting a home that much harder.

A pet deposit is usually between $250 and $500, depending on the landlord and location of the rental. It’s also relatively common to see monthly pet rent of anywhere between $30 and $75 per pet.

However, some states are pushing back and looking into getting rid of pet fees altogether. California is considering a bill that prohibits landlords from charging fees for common household pets, making it more affordable for animal lovers to keep their companions.

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How to avoid pet rent and fees

To help renters tackle the murky waters of pet rent, dubbed a pet tax, Miranda Marquit, a Consumer Advocate at HireAHelper, has put together some tips on negotiating or completely avoiding pet rent.

The good news is that if you have a disability and your pet performs a specific and certified service for it, like a medical alert dog, the Fair Housing Act prevents landlords from charging you the associated fees. This can also include emotional support animals. “However,” Marquit warns. “you usually need a letter from a licensed mental health professional.” With one of those in hand, you should be able to avoid the fees for your pet.

You can also negotiate with a pet resume. Yes, your furry friends can have one of those! As Marquit describes:

“A resume can be one way to show your landlord that your pet is low-risk. Your pet’s resume should include information on their vaccinations, as well as any information about behavioral training and certificates they’ve received. Showing that your pet isn’t likely to be destructive can potentially allow you to reduce your pet rent or monthly fees.”

You can also offer to pay a larger one-time refundable deposit. You’re ponying up more upfront, but it might pay for itself by avoiding the monthly fee. And if you can your pet from causing any damage, your money is returned to you at the end of your lease.

Methodology:

To find out which cities and states in the U.S. are most pet-friendly, we analyzed rental listings on Zillow and calculated the number that don’t allow pets as a percentage.

We then calculated which states and cities like cats or dogs the most by calculating the percentage difference of if the locations have a higher number of cat or dog listings in each location. These were ranked to show the locations that like cats or dogs the most.

We also found out if each state prefers cats or dogs depending on the number of listings that allow cats or dogs in each location.

We started with a seed list of every U.S. state and the top 100 most populated cities in the country.

Data analyzed September 2024.

The Stuff That’s Illegal To Bring Into California

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: September 6, 2024

Last Modified Date: February 21, 2025

Category: Moving Checklists & Planning, Regulations

Tags: Tags: animals, border, border patrol, bugs, ca, california, cat, cats, dog, dogs, eating guide, ferrets, firearms, fruits, guide, guide to moving, gun laws, guns, hireahelper, kevin the mover, laws, liberal, marlowe, movers, moving, ninja, organic, pets, plants, police, professional movers, state laws, state lines, united states, vegetables, weapons, weird laws

Ah, California! Land of vast national parks and long sandy beaches. Cradle of Hollywood dreams and Silicon Valley riches. With all the Golden State offers, it’s no wonder close to 40 million people have come to call California home.

But more than a haven for fun, fame and fortune, California boasts a GDP larger than most countries, grounded in an agriculture industry that generates tens of billions of dollars of revenue annually.

Protecting it all are officers at the sixteen checkpoint stations along the state line, stopping vehicles and confiscating animals, plants, and many other things that can harm the landscape and the people who live here.

So before you pack up and head for your new home and California dream, it’s really important to check what you can and can’t bring with you. And once you’re an expert on it, you can cruise across the border without worry, knowing you’re doing your part to keep California healthy and prosperous.

Pets, Livestock, and Other Animals

Bringing common household pets into California is no problem! Cat owners in particular have it easy: the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) doesn’t require any documentation for domestic felines. Dogs, on the other hand, require proof of rabies vaccination — but nothing else.

For most other critters, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) offers an impressive list of animals that can not be imported into the state. The DFW also offers information on restricted species. If you aren’t sure where your iguana stands, check directly with the authorities in the specific region where your new home is located.

“…[T]he AG requires that you as a gun owner do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer…or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.”

And for all you farmers and ranchers out there, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has information on importing livestock and poultry.

Licensing your dog or cat in California once you’ve moved in is mandated and enforced locally. Check with your city or county for your specific required actions – preferably before you arrive.

Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Cannabis Products

As long as you are 21 or older, you are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into California provided it is for personal or household use. Transporting alcohol into the state for commercial or business purposes requires a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Persons 21 and older are also legally permitted to possess and use marijuana within the limits of state and local laws.

However, under current federal law it is illegal to transport marijuana across state lines. So as you peruse California’s laws regarding using, growing, and keeping marijuana in your car, understand that this only applies once you are in-state. Bring your leftover Budweiser when you move, but leave the bud behind.

Here’s $25 Off Movers

Open Container Laws

Article 2 Section 23223(a) of California’s State Vehicle Code states it is illegal for any person operating a motor vehicle on California’s highways or public roads to have in their possession “any bottle, can, or other receptacle, containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.” The same goes for any passenger, as stated in 23223(b).

Section 23225 states that the above may not be kept in a vehicle unless it is in the trunk, or out of reach if there is no trunk, or inside a locked container as a last resort. The same rules apply to cannabis, as stated in Section 23222.

All the detailed laws can be found right here, starting with the rather obvious “no drinking or smoking weed by any driver or passenger” law of Section 23220.

Plants and Produce

California is right to be protective of its $60 billion agricultural industry. An outbreak of invasive insects and pests could wreak havoc on the economy and disrupt the supply of fruits and vegetables all across the country. So the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is not shy about stopping potential disasters at the border.

Houseplants are generally not prohibited, as long as they are potted in commercially sold soil and not dirt from your old backyard. If a plant shows any sign of infestation or disease, however, it will quickly be confiscated. For more detailed guidelines check out this Q&A by the CDFA.

Notice that the first question focuses on what is not allowed, and the answer says all citrus plants. It may sound strange, but California is particularly serious about barring all citrus, including loose pieces of citrus fruit, from being brought into the state. Many other fruits, as well as a number of nuts and vegetables, are also prohibited. This extensive list by the CDFA lays out all the fun and surprises.

Firearms and Weapons

Make of it what you will, but California is tougher on huckleberries than they are on handguns. As California’s Attorney General states regarding firearms information for new California residents:

Any person transporting handguns into California is required under California law to transport those handguns unloaded and in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment of a vehicle.

In addition, the AG requires that you as a gun owner do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer (or to a third party through a licensed dealer), or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.

While there is no specific mention of the legality of bringing shotguns or rifles into the state, under the Transporting Firearms in California section, the AG explains that these non-concealable firearms are not required to be transported in a locked container, but must be unloaded while in transit.

“…[A]s you peruse California’s laws regarding using, growing, and keeping marijuana in your car, understand that this only applies once you are in-state.”

In addition, the California Attorney General lays out in great detail all sorts of assault weapon laws and regulations. Unlike firearms (and much more like huckleberries), California “generally prohibits” a wide variety of weapons. California Penal Code 16590 lists nunchucks, cane swords, and lipstick case knives among the wide array of weapons that, if you have them, can land you in hot water.

The process – and sometimes the long wait – at California’s border stations can seem like an unnecessary hassle. But hey, this one state produces a third of the country’s vegetables and three quarters of the its fruits and nuts. It makes sense for them to be tough.

Doing your part when you move to California makes the officers’ jobs, and the long lines, a little easier to take.

Illustrations by Marlowe Dobbe

For Richer and For Poorer: How Moving Patterns of Americans Differ by Income Level

Author: Volodymyr Kupriyanov

Publish Date: August 13, 2024

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: california, college station tx, deltona fl, Florida, fort collins co, gressnboro nc, high earner moves, income brackets, low earner moves, lower income bracket moves, middle class moves, moving by income brackets, moving patterns by income, oklahoma, omaha ne, port st lucie fl, texas, upper income bracket moves, vermont, where do poorer people move, where does the middle class move, where to richer people move

Overall Findings

America’s bottom 20% of earners are 32% more likely to move than their top-earning counterparts, according to Census data for 2023
The top 20% of earners were more likely to move to a different state than Americans in other income brackets
Moving “to own a home” was nearly five times more common among the top 20% of earners (11.6% of moves) than among the bottom 20% of earners (2.5% of moves)
Vermont is the top destination for the top 20% of earners (net gain of 89%)
Oklahoma saw twice as many low-income Americans move in (net gain of 102%) than out in 2023, more than any other state

Taxes, Housing, and Gentrification: The Economic Effects of Moving

When people move, their income moves with them. This can affect local economies, both in the places they move to and in the places they leave behind.

High-income individuals moving to “cheap” cities or states have gentrification effects, observed in places like Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and the much-publicized movement of high-earning Californians to Texas that has made housing less affordable in the Lone Star State.

In turn, California and New York have lost $90 billion in income tax revenues due to out-migration, according to the most recent IRS data.

“…Vermont is the state that gained the most of the top 20% of earners in America. As many as 89% more top earners moved here than left the state last year…[Meanwhile] Oklahoma (+102%) [had] twice as many low-income households moving into the state than leaving it.”

Moves of the bottom 20% of earners can also have profound economic consequences. Being continually priced out of buying a home or struggling to keep up with the cost of living, Americans on lower incomes flock to areas they can afford, resulting in poverty concentration. This is a phenomenon whereby certain cities or suburban areas become “predominantly poor”.

According to the HUD report, poverty concentration results in communities having serious issues with crime, health, and education, which affects both the current living standards and the future social and economic prospects of their residents.

In this study, we examine moving patterns of Americans by income level and explore how much, why, and where Americans on the opposite ends of the income scale move.

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Low Earners Move More, High Earners Move Farther

The top 20% of American households by income (those earning $150,000+ per year) are much less likely to move than their relatively poorer counterparts.

In the past year, the higher earners moved at a rate of only 6.5%, in contrast to the 9% moving rate of those in the bottom 20% of households by income (those earning less than $30,000).

The most likely explanation for this is homeownership. Our moving studies and statistics show that renters are two to three times more likely to move than those who own a home outright.

Americans with high incomes are much more likely to be homeowners and, by extension, significantly less likely to move.

As for the middle-earners who make up 60% of U.S. households, they are closer to the bottom earners in their overall mobility rate (9%), but similar to top earners in that almost one in five (18%) of those who did move in 2023 crossed state lines.

Better Housing vs Cheaper Housing: Motivations Behind Moves of Americans by Income Level

For the top 20% of American earners, home ownership is both a reason to stay and a reason to move.

Becoming a homeowner (or “Wanted to own home, not rent” as the Census Bureau puts it) was the #3 reason for moves of those in the top income quintile with around 12% of Americans in this income bracket moving for this reason last year.

By contrast, only 2.5% of those in the bottom 20% of earners moved because they bought a home in 2023.

The top 20% of earners were also much more likely to move for new and better housing (18%) and new jobs (12%). The poorest 20% of households only accounted for around 10% and 7% of those types of moves, respectively.

Conversely, the poorest 20% of U.S. households were significantly more likely to move for cheaper housing (12%, compared to 6% among the top earners), health reasons (3% vs 1%), and other family reasons (10% vs 7%). “Other family reasons”, according to the Census Bureau, most often refers to moving closer to or with family to take care of them or share in childcare duties.

The middle 60% of households in the U.S. were, predictably, between the two extremes regarding motivations behind moving. Around 7% of those who moved in this bracket did so because they bought a home, and 10% moved for cheaper housing. Almost 9% moved for family reasons, and a similar share moved for a new job or transfer.

But where do Americans of different income levels actually move? The next section explores the states gaining or losing residents in different income brackets.

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Top Earners Vie for Vermont, Low Earners Opt for Oklahoma: Interstate Moves by Income Bracket

Driven by different motivations, which states are people on different sides of the income scale most likely to flock to? And which states are they leaving behind?

Based on the 2023 data from the Current Population Survey, Vermont was the state that gained the most of the top 20% of earners in America. As many as 89% more top earners moved here than left the state last year.

Other states where more high-earning Americans were moving to (rather than out of) include West Virginia (+69%), Connecticut (+65%), and Iowa (+58%).

“In the past year, the higher earners moved at a rate of only 6.5%, in contrast to the 9% moving rate of those in the bottom 20% of households by income…”

The list of states with the highest gains among the bottom 20% of earners looks rather different. Oklahoma (+102%) was at the top with twice as many low-income households moving into the state than leaving it.

Iowa made another appearance in this bracket, with a net of 53% more low earners relocating here. Arizona (+45%), Texas (+43%), and Kansas (+43%) rounded out the top five.

And what about the middle class? For them, the top five states by net move gains were Delaware (+55%), South Carolina (+53%), Florida (+52%), Maine (+49%), and Georgia (+43%).

On the other side of the spectrum, the bottom 20% of earners were more likely to leave California (-57%), New Jersey (-45%), and New York (-44%) than move to these states. The top earners left Illinois (-57%), Nebraska (-47%), and Maryland (-37%) the most, while the middle 60% vacated New York (-55%), California (-45%), and Maryland (-28%) at the highest rate.

Interestingly, Idaho and Washington saw a significant increase in the amount of top-earning Americans moving there, while simultaneously losing more low-income households.

Kansas, New Mexico, and Nebraska show the reverse trend. These states saw a significant outflow of the top 20% of households by income while posting significant net gains in the bottom 20% of earners.

As for the middle 60% of U.S. earners, they’re closer to their poorer counterparts than to the richer households when it comes to interstate moves.

High- and Middle-Income Americans Flock to Central Florida: Income-Based Moves by Metro

At a more local level, certain metropolitan areas are disproportionately popular among people in different income brackets.

For the top 20% of earners, the Deltona, FL (+171%) and College Station, TX (+132%) metros saw the highest net gain of movers out of all cities.

Among the bottom 20% of earners, the metros posting the greatest net gains were Greensboro, NC (+80%), Fort Collins, CO (+67%), and Oklahoma City, OK (+51%).

Finally, Port St. Lucie, FL (+88%), Deltona, FL (+79%), and Cape Coral, FL (+64%) were the metro areas with the most favorable ratio of incoming to outgoing residents in the middle 60% of earners.

See which metros were most popular with Americans of different incomes on the map below.

Metropolitan areas where top earners were most likely to leave in 2023 were Omaha, NE (-84%), Louisville, KY (-75%), and Bakersfield, CA (-72%), while the low-earning households decided Boise, ID (-80%), Omaha, NE (-78%), and Baton Rouge, LA (-74%) were no longer for them.

As for the middle 60% of earners, the areas posting the highest percentage net losses in 2023 are Springfield, MA (-75%), Fayetteville, NC (-66%), and Buffalo, NY (-62%). The latter is tied with the New York, NY metro area, where 62% more middle-income Americans have moved out than they moved in last year.

For even more info on where people in different income brackets are moving, check out the tables below!

State Tables

Top 20% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Vermont	89%	Illinois	-57%
West Virginia	69%	Nebraska	-47%
Connecticut	65%	Maryland	-37%
Iowa	58%	New Jersey	-37%
Florida	57%	Louisiana	-37%
Alabama	54%	Minnesota	-32%
North Carolina	46%	New York	-25%
South Carolina	43%	Maine	-24%
Indiana	42%	California	-21%
New Hampshire	37%	New Mexico	-18%

Bottom 20% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Oklahoma	102%	California	-57%
Connecticut	61%	New Jersey	-45%
Iowa	53%	New York	-44%
Arizona	45%	Vermont	-38%
Texas	43%	Utah	-29%
Kansas	43%	Wisconsin	-26%
Kentucky	40%	Maryland	-25%
Florida	39%	District of Columbia	-23%
New Mexico	39%	Hawaii	-21%
Rhode Island	36%	Massachusetts	-18%

Middle 60% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Connecticut	96%	New York	-55%
Delaware	55%	California	-45%
South Carolina	53%	Hawaii	-28%
Florida	52%	Maryland	-27%
Maine	49%	Louisiana	-27%
Montana	49%	New Jersey	-27%
Kansas	44%	Iowa	-27%
Georgia	43%	Illinois	-27%
Arizona	39%	Utah	-26%
New Mexico	39%	District of Columbia	-25%

Metro Area Tables

Top 20% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	171%	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	-84%
College Station-Bryan, TX	132%	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	-75%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	127%	Bakersfield, CA	-72%
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	68%	Ogden-Clearfield, UT	-71%
Ann Arbor, MI	63%	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	-69%
Provo-Orem, UT	40%	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	-68%
Akron, OH	35%	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	-65%
Austin-Round Rock, TX	34%	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	-63%
Knoxville, TN	33%	Tulsa, OK	-63%
Fresno, CA	32%	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	-57%

Bottom 20% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Greensboro-High Point, NC	80%	Boise City, ID	-80%
Fort Collins, CO	67%	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	-78%
Oklahoma City, OK	51%	Baton Rouge, LA	-74%
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	24%	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	-72%
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	20%	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	-70%
Ann Arbor, MI	20%	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	-65%
Akron, OH	16%	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	-62%
Fresno, CA	14%	Raleigh, NC	-61%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	13%	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	-56%
College Station-Bryan, TX	13%	Ogden-Clearfield, UT	-56%

Middle 60% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Top 10	Gain %	Bottom 10	Loss %
Port St. Lucie, FL	88%	Springfield, MA	-75%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	79%	Fayetteville, NC	-66%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	64%	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	-62%
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	61%	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	-62%
Stockton-Lodi, CA	56%	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	-61%
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	38%	Rochester, NY	-57%
Fort Collins, CO	32%	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	-55%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	17%	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	-54%
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	12%	Urban Honolulu, HI	-54%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	9%	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	-54%

Sources and Methodology

The primary source for all the data used in this study is the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements (as available via IPUMS).

All data on income, moves, their origins, destinations, and reasons behind them, as well as all estimates and percentages are based on moves within the United States.

For this study, the household income brackets were adopted from the DQYDJ data and calculated as follows:

$150,000 or more – top 20%
$30,000 or less – bottom 20%
Everyone in between – middle 60%

Net gain and loss for states and metropolitan areas was calculated as follows:

# of people moving into the state or city, to
the # of people moving out of the state or city,
expressed as a percentage (%)

The Best San Jose Neighborhoods for 2024

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: July 11, 2024

Last Modified Date: July 12, 2024

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: alviso, amaden valley, best san jose neighborhoods, california, california COL, downtown, japantown, moving to california, moving to san jose, san jose, san jose ca, san jose COL, san jose moving companies, san jose neighborhoods, where to live san jose, willow glen

At a glance, San José may seem pretty straightforward: a city with lots of tech among the rolling hills and mild weather of California’s Silicon Valley. But take a closer look and you’ll see there’s a lot more to San Jose is than it seems on the surface!

Founded in 1777, San Jose was California’s first established civil settlement, and was eventually chosen as California’s first capital. A century later, San Jose would become the world capital of technological innovation, growing into California’s third-largest city – with around 40% of its population having been born overseas!

With all this going on in the Santa Clara Valley, it’s an attractive place to settle. And there’s more to love when you see what the city’s neighborhoods have to offer. Let’s dive in and see what’s happening.

Quick Facts About San José

Population: Fluctuating around the million-resident mark, San José is California’s third largest city after Los Angeles and San Diego (eat your hilly heart out, San Fran!). However, a recent drop in population pulled San José out of its Top Ten spot in the US, and now sits as the twelfth largest city in the country.
Rent and Housing: According to Redfin, the median price for a home listed for sale in San José is a lofty $1.4M, while the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is an equally impressive $2,950.
Cost of Living: According to Payscale, the cost of living in San José is around 50% above the national average. Yet this only ranks #8 among California’s most expensive cities, and a notch below Seattle and Boston. The biggest culprit here is housing, with San José coming in at 142% above the national average.
School Rating: Niche gives the San José Unified School District an overall grade of B+, ranking them #10 out of 28 districts in Santa Clara County and #176 in all of California.
Quality of Life: According to Numbeo, has high scores for purchasing power, health care, and climate, but the COL and traffic commute scores aren’t nearly as good. Safety and pollution have moderate scores. Worldwide, Numbeo puts San José at #61, right between Boston and Denver.

Of course, the most prominent figure and feature of this city at the center of Silicon Valley lies in the over 6,600 tech companies that operate here. But what will you find when you hit the streets of San José?

Plenty, including a broad and colorful art scene, museums (including a world of technology at The Tech Interactive), festivals celebrating the cultures and traditions of Japan, Italy, and Greece, and miles of trails that take you from the heart of the city to the wild beauty of the mountains. You’ll find trails for your mountain bike too!

With all this variety, there’s bound to be a neighborhood that fits you and your budget. Read on to see some of our favorites, and what they can offer as your new home.

Best San José Neighborhoods for 2024

Downtown

Average 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,800
Average Home: $1.1M

The San José Downtown area is comprised of several smaller neighborhoods, some of them just a few square blocks in size, giving an area an eclectic and lively feel. Anything you enjoy you can find, like the culture of the Museum of Art, comedy at the Improv, sports and stage shows at the SAP Center, and the highly-acclaimed Children’s Discovery Museum. Downtown San Jose’s real-deal culinary scene will keep you well-fed, highlighted by summertime’s Dine Downtown. When you need a break, head for the open green spaces of Plaza de Cesar Chavez or Discovery Meadow.

“…the Almaden Expressway provides quick and easy access to downtown and the center of San José.”

The core of Downtown San José, which includes the SoFa district, is pleasantly walkable. To get a little further into the city, the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates a sprawling network of bus lines as well as light rail lines running right through the city center. And if you want to make a quick getaway in your car, Interstate 280 is right there.

The options for housing are as numerous as the activities in this area, so if you want to be in the middle of all the bustle, you’ll likely find the perfect pad here too.

Alviso

Average 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,600
Average Home: $1.5M

Alviso consists of the strip of land along the waterline at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay. Mainly residential, Alviso offers several parks and a well-preserved natural habitat along the bay for all nature lovers. Alviso Marina County Park and adjacent Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge are enjoyed via marked trails and boardwalks, with the rest off-limits for humans to protect migratory birds and other endangered species.

But the neighborhood isn’t entirely for the birds. Nearby is Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, Great America amusement park, PAL sports leagues, and the Twin Creeks Sports Complex. And whenever you need a taste of the big city bustle, the Light Rail Green Line whisks you straight into Downtown San José.

Willow Glen

Average 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000
Average Home: $1.8M

Similar to Downtown, Willow Glen encompasses a large area with several smaller districts within its borders. Scattered across the sprawling neighborhood are the green spaces of River Glen, Frank Bramhall, and Doerr Parks, along with the 9.7-mile Los Gatos Creek Trail. Adding to Willow Glen’s community feel is the Farmers Market, taking place every Saturday all year round. The neighborhood also has plenty of dining, shopping, and neighborhood events to experience and try.

Willow Glen is also known for having some unique housing — Queen Anne cottages, Tudor, Spanish, and neocolonial homes are all available. No matter what architectural style you prefer, you’ll likely find it in the neighborhood. With everything else going on in the neighborhood, Willow Glen is worth a good look.

Almaden Valley

Average 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,800
Average Home: $2.2M

Commonly referred to simply as Almaden, this area at the south end of San José sits on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you’re someone who loves the outdoors and activities like hiking, camping, and mountain biking, then this area is paradise. The centerpiece of it all is Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 4,000 acres of rolling hills, winding trails, and wildflowers. If you head for the higher ground of the adjacent mountains, you can experience the 19,000 acres of wilderness that make up the Sierra Azul Preserve.

For slightly tamer recreation, there are facilities for golf and tennis. Or you can unwind at the Alamitos Vineyards. And if you ever crave that big metro feeling again, the Almaden Expressway provides quick and easy access to downtown and the center of San José.

Japantown

Average 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,800
Average Home: $1.2M

This compact neighborhood just north of downtown is great for anyone who likes a lively atmosphere or Japanese culture, but it’s especially nice for foodies. Sushi, ramen, donburi, and udon are all abundant, and you can even eat the same manju that the Emperor of Japan sampled at Shuei-do. But if you’re more into making your own meals, you’ll definitely be able to find all sorts of ingredients and more at the weekly Farmers Market.

“A century [after its founding] San Jose would become the world capital of technological innovation, growing into California’s third-largest city – with around 40% of its population having been born overseas!”

You can also learn about the community’s long history and heritage at the Japanese American Museum of San José, or celebrate at the annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival.

Best of all, Japantown has its own Light Rail station that connects the neighborhood with downtown and the rest of the city. About the only thing missing around here is Mt. Fuji!

San José boasts many more neighborhoods offering attractive communities and nearby natural escapes. Take a look and see if we missed your favorite!

To be sure, San José is not a cheap place to live. But the climate, the natural surroundings, and the city itself, with its high quality of life, good schools, and golden opportunities still make it a desirable choice for putting down roots.

HireAHelper’s 2024 Moving Survey: 30% of Americans Plan on Moving This Year

Author: Volodymyr Kupriyanov

Publish Date: May 8, 2024

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: Buying & Selling a Home, HireAHelper News, Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: 2024 moving, atlanta, boston, california, dallas, Florida, hawaii, hireahelper, houston, migration, mover stats, movers, moving, moving migration, moving stats, moving stats 2024, moving survey, moving survey 2024, nar, national association realtor, new jersey, ohio, pennsylvania, philadelphia, seattle, top cities, top places to live, top places to move, top states

Key Findings

30% of Americans surveyed plan to move at some point this year
Key reasons cited for wanting to move in 2024 were “Family” (26%), “Wanting more space/bigger home” (22%) and “New job or promotion” (17%)
1 in 5 (20%) considered moving to a state with open access to abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned
Florida narrowly beat California as the moving destination “if money was no object”
52% of respondents who said they aren’t moving in 2024 cited financial reasons

It’s officially moving season, AKA the four months of May through August when the majority of moves in the United States take place every year.

HireAHelper’s yearly Moving Season Survey asked over 2,000 Americans what their moving plans are for 2024. What did they say? Where are people going? And why?

We looked at how many Americans plan on moving this year, what was behind their decision to move or stay put, and how this year’s trends and developments might affect moving patterns in America this year.

Almost One in Three Americans Plan on Moving in 2024

Despite last year’s overall decrease in moving, 30% of Americans surveyed planned on moving at some point in 2024. An additional 54% don’t have such plans, while 16% haven’t made up their minds yet.

Overall, that’s a general decrease in moving intent compared to last year’s survey when 38% said they intended to move. Still, it’s a substantial percentage considering less than 8% of the U.S. population actually did move last year.

“…those in rental accommodation (38%) were twice as likely to report an intention to move in 2024 compared to those who owned a home (16%).”

Americans may be more likely to stay put this year than last, but one trend that hasn’t changed is younger generations are significantly more eager to move than their older counterparts. As many as 38% of Gen Z and 37% of Millennials planned to move in 2024, compared to just 24% of Gen X’ers and 12% of Baby Boomers.

Another important note is that the gap between renter and homeowner relocators widened this year; those in rental accommodation (38%) were twice as likely to report an intention to move in 2024 compared to those who owned a home (16%).

Furthering the narrative that America lacks affordable housing, only 25% of those relocating renters said they are moving to become homeowners, while the other 75% said they intended to keep living the rental life.

The Cities and States With the Most Movers and Stayers

Among cities with a statistically representative number of respondents, people from Atlanta, GA (48%), Seattle, WA (38%) and Houston, TX (37%) were most likely to have plans to move at some point during 2024, whether in or out of their city.

Residents of Philadelphia, PA (18%), on the other hand, were least likely to say they would relocate this year, as people in Dallas, TX and Boston, MA had a reported moving intent of only 26%.

States

What about states? The states with the fewest amount of people who said they were likely to move in 2024 were Pennsylvania (22%) and New Jersey (24%).

The states where moving intent was the highest were Ohio (35%) and Florida (34%), places where more than one-third of respondents planned on moving this year.

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Family, Housing Top Reasons for Moving in 2024

What reasons did people give for wanting to move in 2024?

Much like last year, the biggest driving force for those looking to move was family, specifically “Moving closer to family members” (26%) and “Wanting more space or a bigger home” (22%).

Last year, the third most common consideration for potential movers was “Inflation“, but this year gave way to “New job or promotion” (17%). This could be due to the U.S. job market having had a strong year so far, with inflation itself significantly lower than one year ago.

Slightly More Financial Flexibility in 2024, And More

This year, financial reasons played a lower (but still significant) role in people’s moving motivations.

In our 2023 survey, 38% of all respondents who made plans to move did so (at least in part) for not being able to afford their home, moving to an area with a lower cost of living, and getting evicted.

But this year, only 29% checked a box for any one of these reasons. That’s a pretty significant drop!

“…(26%) of Americans we surveyed said they’d consider leaving the U.S. if Donald Trump were elected president this November. How many would leave if Joe Biden was re-elected? Also 26%! That’s just how divided the country appears these days.”

Another reason for moving that saw a drop this year was a move forced by “Climate change“. If 15% of potential movers in 2023 ultimately factored in climate change into their moving plans, only 9% plan to do so this year.

Other notable changes: more Americans intend to move because they “Want a better school district” (12%), “Bought a home” (11%), and because they started “A new relationship or got married” (10%).

Also interesting is that almost one in 10 (9%) respondents who intended to move in 2024 said the fact that they “Don’t like local politics where (they) live” was the main driver to their intentions to move. Last year, that share was only 5% of total relocators.

Many Moving Plans Affected by the Real Estate Commission

Besides more typical reasons for moving such as family, jobs and housing, a few recent developments in the news have also impacted moving plans this year.

A recent landmark court case between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and home sellers resulted in the abolition of the longstanding 6% commission on buying or selling a home. This court ruling, which is poised to shake up the real estate market in the coming months, has seemingly affected many, as the moving plans of 49% of all respondents and two-thirds (67%) of those planning to move this year reported being affected by this case.

How the NAR impacted moving

A total of 45% of respondents with moving plans in 2024 said this development made them more likely to move because “Homes are likely to become cheaper” (33%), or because they “Will be able to sell (their) home faster” (12%).

Not everyone is quite as optimistic, however, as 13% of people who planned on moving admitted they’re moving because “They may need to pay a commission to (their) agent as a buyer“, while an additional 10% think they “Won’t be able to sell (their) home at a higher price“.

Most Movers Won’t Go Far: 71% of Planned Moves to Stay Within the Same State

A growing share of moves our respondents have planned are local.

Some 44% of those who plan on moving in 2024 intend to stay within the bounds of their current city. Only 27% plan on moving elsewhere within their state.

Changing States

16% of potential movers are looking to relocate to a different state. Curiously, it’s the older Americans who are most likely to have a cross-state move in the works; in fact, Baby Boomers (29%) were twice as likely to plan a move to another state compared to Millennials (14%).

This is likely because retirees are more likely to move farther than others, a fact we consistently find in our studies of moving for retirement.

Surprisingly, as many as 7% may leave the United States altogether! This sentiment is strongest with those who aren’t happy with politics where they live, 19% of which said they’d be willing to move to a different country.

How Politics Impacts Moving Intent in 2024

Speaking of leaving the country, more than a quarter (26%) of Americans we surveyed said they’d consider leaving the U.S. if Donald Trump were elected president this November. How many would leave if Joe Biden was re-elected? Also 26%! That’s just how divided the country appears these days.

Thus, with this year being a presidential election year, it would be hardly surprising that politics is playing more on people’s minds.

Another political issue impacting the consideration of moving is abortion. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, 20% of our survey participants considered moving to a state where abortion is more accessible. This includes 25% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Z.

Conversely, 17% have said they will consider moving to a state where abortion is more restricted.

All this said, 38% are satisfied with the local politics of where they currently live.

Unaffordable for Most: Finances Continue to Hold Americans Back from Moving

If a smaller share of Americans are planning to move this year, what’s holding them back?

For a majority of them, it’s simply not something they can afford.

Of respondents who are not moving this year, over half (52%) said they are staying put because they “Can’t afford to move“. One-third of respondents (33%) also noted they “Can’t afford housing where (they) want to live“.

Additionally, nearly one in five “Worried it may not work out” (23%), “Would be too far away from (their) family” (23%), or are simply “Worried about making a big change” (21%).

It’s not all worries and concerns, however. One in four (25%) of those who aren’t moving this year are staying put for one very simple reason: “I like where I currently live“.

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About $500: Here’s How Much Americans Estimate Their Move Would Cost in 2024

With such a high share of our respondents not moving because they can’t afford it, how much do those who do intend to move plan on spending?

Of all who plan on moving, 50% plan want to keep their costs to a maximum of $500, which may include buying moving boxes, renting a truck, potentially hiring movers, etc. (The overall average estimate of moving costs is just under that amount: $496.)

The average estimate for moving costs specifically from respondents who plan on hiring movers was somewhat higher: $613. Meanwhile, those set on moving entirely by themselves plan on squeezing in a move with under $400.

California Florida Dreaming: Where Americans Would Move if Money Were No Object

If anything were possible and if money didn’t matter, where would Americans move to?

Last year, Americans said they dreamed of moving to California more than any other state. In 2024, the dream state to be in is Florida, with nearly 10% saying that’s where they’d move to if money were no object.

California is right behind the Sunshine State with 9% of the preference share. Hawaii is the only state that can compete as a potential dream destination; it was name-dropped in just over 8% of our study participants.

Texas, Tennessee, New York, and Georgia were named as the places people would move if anything were possible by between 3% and 4% of respondents. (Funnily enough, marginally more people (4.5%) indicated they’d rather leave the U.S. than move to these four states, if money were no object.)

The States Americans Would Never Move To

California may have lost the popularity contest to Florida in this year’s survey, but instead, it appears to have topped a different kind of ranking this year.

When asked, “To which state or states, if any, would you not move under any circumstances?”, 28% of our study participants chose California – more than any other state.

Other states that feature prominently on this list are Alaska, where 23% wouldn’t ever want to move, New York (22%) and Alabama (21%). Florida – a dream destination for some Americans – is a no-go area for 20% of our respondents.

Which state consistently got marked as the place to leave? Well, it was whichever state the respondent already lived in! “Home state” was the least desirable place to live, as reported by 12% of all dissenting respondents.

Survey Methodology

The survey was run via Pollfish in April 2024 using a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults (18+) living in the United States.

The results were weighted by age, gender, and income using data from the American Community Survey’s five-year data for the years 2017-2022 (latest available).

Illustrations by Nero Hamaoui

2024 Study: A Look at the Biggest Wave of Retiree Moves in Three Years

Author: Volodymyr Kupriyanov

Publish Date: January 8, 2024

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: 2023 moving, 2023 retirees, 2023 retirement study, california, cheap housing, cleveland, cost of living, el paso, Florida, fort lauderdale, kansas city, miami, moving, moving after retirement, moving while retired, new jersey, new york, north port, pennsylvania, retire, retiree moves, retirees, retirement, retirement 2023, retirement cost of living, retirement moving, retirement relocation, south carolina, texas

Key Findings

More than 338,000 Americans moved to retire in 2023, an increase of 44% compared to 2022
Florida is the top destination for retirement moves that crossed state lines, attracting 11% of them in 2023
California (18%) and New York (11%) have the highest share of retirees moving to new states
Miami-Fort-Lauderdale, FL is the #1 metro for retirement moves, with 12.3% of them headed to this area in Florida
Nearly a quarter (23%) of all Americans moving to retire were early retirees aged under 55

The year 2023 was a big year for retirement moves!

According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, retirement moves reached a three-year high! With housing markets cooling off, inflation slowing down, and social security benefits increasing, it’s no surprise that 44% more Americans moved in retirement compared to in 2022.

How else have these developments affected moving after retirement in 2023? Where did retirees relocate to, and which places did they leave behind?

In this latest edition of our annual retirement moves study, we look at trends that shaped moving in retirement in 2023, highlight top origins and destinations, and zoom in on the changing demographics of retirees on the move.

Bucking the Trend: Retirement Moves Continued Rising Through 2023

In 2023, when the share of Americans who moved fell to a historic low of 7.8%, retirement moves registered a 44% growth compared to the year prior. That equates to more than 338,000 Americans moving to retire in 2023 — the highest in three years.

This means that after falling briefly during COVID, the number of Americans moving to retire has grown for the third consecutive year.

Similarly to the findings in our previous studies of moving for retirement, Americans who moved at this stage of their lives were more likely to relocate to a different state last year. A quarter (25%) of retirement moves in the U.S. in 2023 crossed state lines, compared to 18% of moves overall.

Sun, Sun, Sun: Florida Tops State Destination Rankings, Again

For those Americans choosing to retire out of state, Florida was again the number one destination in 2023. The Sunshine State attracted around one in ten (11%) of all retirement moves that went to a different state.

South Carolina gave Florida a good run for its money as the destination for 10% of all cross-state retirement moves in 2023. Meanwhile, New Jersey and Texas each accounted for roughly 6% of such moves, respectively.

“The 2023 crop of retirees on the move was significantly younger…37% of them were under the age of 65, including 23% who were under 55.”

As for the states retirees are leaving, the greatest share of relocating retirees came from California, with 18% of all retirement moves that crossed state lines originating in California. New York contributed a further 11% of retirees seeking a new place to live outside their home state.

Curiously enough, states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania appear on both receiving and leaving lists. This has to do with the fact that while many people do move to Florida and New Jersey for retirement, a similar amount of people are leaving these states too.

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Miami Remains a Retirement Magnet: Top Metros for Retirees on the Move

In another victory for Florida, Miami-Fort Lauderdale was the top destination for retirement moves in 2023.

This metro located right on the Atlantic coast is well within its right to attract many of those seeking a great place to retire. Highland Beach — one of Fort Lauderdale’s suburbs — ranks #3 as the best place to retire according to Niche.com, while Miami is in the fourth spot of CN Traveller’s ranking of best retirement destinations.

And even though the cost of living in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro is on the rise, it’s still significantly lower than in the U.S. biggest cities.

Other popular metropolitan areas last year included El Paso, TX (~8% of moves), and yet another Florida metro: North Port -Sarasota -Bradenton, FL (6%).

In the Midwest, Kansas City, MO -KS, and Cleveland -Elyria, OH each took about 3% of all retirement moves that took place in 2023. Both these metros have likely attracted many retirees due to affordable housing and a generally lower cost of living.

“In 2023, when the share of Americans who moved fell to a historic low of 7.8%, retirement moves registered a 44% growth compared to the year prior. That equates to more than 338,000 Americans moving to retire…”

Retirees with money

The fact that two Californian metros feature on the top 10 list of retirement move destinations in 2023 suggests two parallel trends within retirement moves.

Retirees with a good amount of savings and high pensions are likely moving to metros like Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL and San Luis Obispo -Paso Robles, CA. Folks looking to save money in retirement, on the other hand, are more likely to choose El Paso, TX, and Kansas City, MO-KS — areas where settling down for retirement won’t cost a fortune.

To browse states and metros you may be interested in, check out the interactive map below:

Health and Family: Key Reason Behind Retirement Moves in 2023

Besides retirement itself, some of the most common reasons contributing to retirement movies in 2023, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau moving data report, were said to do with family and health. “Better housing” and “cheaper housing” did remain relevant, but they’re not driving as many moves as they did in 2022.

It’s worth noting that “other family reason” was most often clarified to mean adding a new family member (e.g., pregnant, had a baby, adoption), moving with family member(s), or assisting or taking care of family members.

Because adding a new family member is unlikely for someone of retirement age, it’s safe to assume that the majority of retirees who moved citing “other family reason” did so to be closer to family, either to help take care of them or to receive care themselves.

“…the median household income of retirees who moved in 2023 was $88,347, which is 17% higher than a typical household income in the United States…”

This is consistent with the findings of our study of the Sandwich Generation — meaning adults “sandwiched” between taking care of their aging (and likely retired) parents, and their children.

More than a quarter (26%) of the respondents in our Sandwich Generation survey were considering moving their parents closer to give them the care they need, and 24% were thinking about their parent(s) moving in with them.

With so many retirees factoring in family and health into their moves in 2023, it’s likely this emerging trend is already starting to unfold.

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Younger, Wealthier, and Most Likely Single: The Demographics of Retirees Moving in 2023

One standout feature of 2023 moving retirees is that they were overwhelmingly more likely to be single. (Or, at the very least, not married.)

In 2022, more than half (55%) of retirees moving were spouses. But last year, that share dropped to just 45% — the lowest percentage ever on record.

The 2023 crop of retirees on the move was significantly younger as well, as 37% of them were under the age of 65, including 23% who were under 55. Compare this to just 26% of 2022 retirees who were under 55.

In another change compared to 2022, a third (33%) of American retirees moving in 2023 were people of color, up from 14% the year before.

Finally, the median household income of retirees who moved in 2023 was $88,347, which is 17% higher than a typical household income in the United States, according to the latest data. It is also 35% higher than the median income of someone moving into retirement last year, which was just above $65,000.

Sources and Methodology

Unless otherwise stated, all the data behind the charts in this study were taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements for 2023.

To calculate the most moved-in and moved-out states and cities, we took the percentage of all retirees in 2023 who moved or left a state or city.

Illustrations by Daniel Fishel

2023 Study: The Year Gen Z Adults Moved More Than Any Other Generation

Author: Volodymyr Kupriyanov

Publish Date: December 18, 2023

Last Modified Date: June 27, 2025

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: alabama, Austin TX, baby boomers, california, colorado, colorado springs co, columbia sc, gen z, gen z moving, gen z study, generation study, generation z, generations moving, jacksonville fl, kansas, los angeles ca, miami fl, millennials, mississippi, moving stats, new york, provo ut, san francisco ca, san jose ca, south carolina, tampa fl, texas, utah, vermont, west virginia, where are generations moving, where is gen z moving, why is gen z moving, zoomers

Key Findings

Gen Z is the most mobile generation, as 17% of its adult members moved in 2023, compared to 8% across all ages
Around 16% of moves by Gen Z adults were to “establish their own household” – the highest percentage of all generations
Texas welcomed the most Gen Z overall (345,000), but West Virginia saw the highest net gain in Gen Z moves (+138%)
Vermont (-73%), Alabama (-68%), and Mississippi (-64%) were the states Gen Z were most likely to leave
The NYC metro area saw the biggest numeric influx of Gen Z members (183,000), but Austin-Round Rock, TX (+106%) had the greatest net gain

Generation Z — or Zoomers, as they’re sometimes called — have been the subject of many headlines lately. As they come of age, their differences from other generations in terms of workplace habits, home ownership ambitions, political views, and the use of technology are increasingly well-documented.

But what about moving? We know that Gen Z, like the generation before them, is burdened with less favorable economic outlooks, including poor housing affordability, high rent, and student debt. Presumably, in light of these factors, some surveys find a record number of young adults are staying put and living with their parents.

“In absolute terms, their top destination was Texas, which welcomed 345,000 new Gen Z residents in 2023. However, the state with the greatest net gain of Gen Z moves was West Virginia. “

When we look at the moving data, however, a different trend emerges. Despite making up just 12% of the population, Gen Z adults (aged 18 to 26) accounted for 26% of all moves that took place in America this year.

In this study, we take a deep dive into Gen Z moving patterns to uncover how actively they’re moving compared to other generations, highlight what motivates their moves and reveal where they’re moving to and from.

Zoom Zoom: Gen Z is the Most Mobile of All Generations in 2023

The thing about America is that, as a nation, we move a lot less now than we did a few decades ago. Save for a blip in 2022 when the percentage went up, the overarching trend has been pointing down since the mid-1980s.

However, this isn’t true for Gen Z at all. 17% of them moved in 2023 — a number twice as high as the national average. It was also the highest out of all other generations.

By comparison, only 11% of Millennials (Gen Y) moved this year. That share dips even lower for older generations, as 5% of Gen X and just 3% of Baby Boomers changed where they live in 2023.

Not only are Gen Z the most mobile generation, but they’re also the ones bucking the overall downward trend in moving. After a drop in 2020, which was likely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Gen Z adults have been moving each year. And they’re the only generation to do so.

Flying the Nest to Make Their Own: Key Reasons Behind Moves of Gen Z Members

Based on the U.S. Census Bureau data, the most common reason for moving among Gen Z members in 2023 was “establishing their own household”, i.e. most likely moving out of their parents’ home.

Responsible for around 17% of all Gen Z moves, it was more popular with this generation than any other. Another reason for moving most distinctly popular with Gen Z was “relationship with unmarried partner” (read: move in with a significant other).

This reason drove around 8% of moves by Gen Z adults in 2023, which is higher than any other generation and is above the 5% national average.

Despite reports of increased home-buying activity, Gen Z has the lowest share of moves associated with becoming a homeowner (≈5%) compared to other generations.

At the same time, 9% of Gen Z adults moved for cheaper housing in 2023. The only generation for whom it was higher was Baby Boomers (10%).

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Almost Heaven: West Virginia Records Highest Net Gain in Gen Z Moves in 2023

So Gen Z is moving in record numbers, but where are they moving to and from?

In absolute terms, their top destination was Texas, which welcomed 345,000 new Gen Z residents in 2023. However, the state with the greatest net gain of Gen Z moves was West Virginia.

In 2023, 138% more Gen Z adults moved to this state than left it. Four others — Utah (+137%), South Carolina (+136%), Colorado (+107%), and Kansas (+107%) — had at least twice as many members of Generation Z move in than move out.

States by net moves (only interstate moves are included)

State	Net Gen Z Moves	State	Net Gen Z Moves
West Virginia	138%	Vermont	-73%
Utah	137%	Alabama	-68%
South Carolina	136%	Mississippi	-64%
Colorado	107%	New York	-57%
Kansas	107%	Iowa	-53%
Washington	97%	Minnesota	-53%
Idaho	96%	North Carolina	-48%
Kentucky	76%	Wyoming	-47%
Ohio	54%	California	-43%
Pennsylvania	52%	Arkansas	-43%

On the flipside, members of Gen Z were most likely to leave Vermont (-73%), Alabama (-68%), and Mississippi (-64%). It’s worth noting that New York (-57%) and California (-43%) are states that often come out on top of net outflow rankings, and they feature here in the 4th and the 9th spot respectively. And speaking of the volume of moves, California alone saw over 415,000 Gen Z people leave the state in 2023.

To see what the Gen Z moving patterns looked like for all other states, check out our interactive map below.

Austin, TX Metro is a Gen Z Magnet: Top Destinations for Gen Z Moves

Texas and Florida didn’t feature high in state rankings, but their metros sure are up there for moving destinations among Generation Z members.

“17% of [Gen Z] moved in 2023 — a number twice as high as the national average. It was also the highest out of all other generations.”

Austin-Round Rock, TX (+106%) is in first place — it had twice as many Gen Z members move in than out of it. Florida, on the other hand, is represented by metro areas around Tampa, FL (+55%) and Jacksonville, FL (+38%), both posting healthy net gains.

In line with state-level findings, Columbia, SC (+82%), Provo-Orem, UT (+53%), and Colorado Springs, CO (+37%) feature among the 10 metropolitan areas with the highest net gain in moves by Gen Z.

Metros by net moves

Metro	Net Gen Z Moves	Metro	Net Gen Z Moves
Austin-Round Rock, TX	+106%	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	-39%
Oklahoma City, OK	+88%	Detroit -Warren -Dearborn, MI	-37%
Columbia, SC	+82%	New York–Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	-33%
Las Vegas -Henderson -Paradise, NV	+71%	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	-32%
Nashville-Davidson -Murfreesboro -Franklin, TN	+78%	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	-26%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	+55%	Pittsburgh, PA	-24%
Provo-Orem, UT	+53%	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	-24%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	+51%	Miami -Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	-24%
Jacksonville, FL	+38%	San Francisco -Oakland -Hayward, CA	-22%
Colorado Springs, CO	+37%	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	-20%

The other side of the table is dominated by metropolitan areas in California. As some of the most expensive places to live in the United States, metro areas around cities such as San Jose, CA (-39%), Los Angeles, CA (-24%), and San Francisco, CA (-22%) all many more Gen Z members leave than relocate here.

Incidentally, Florida also has a metropolitan area with one of the highest net losses of Gen Z residents. About 24% more members of Generation Z moved out of Miami -Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL than moved there in 2023.

Curious about what the situation is near you? We’ve put all metros with a significant number of moves by Gen Z adults onto this interactive map.

Sources and Methodology

All data on moves, their origins, destinations, and reasons behind them was taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements, as available via IPUMS. All estimates and percentages are based on moves within the United States.

For this study, we adapted the definition of generations from Beresford Research which defined them based on their age in 2023 as follows:

Gen Z: 18* – 26
Gen Y (Millennials): 27 – 42
Gen X: 43 – 58
Baby Boomers: 59 – 77

Technically, Gen Z includes anyone from age 11, but our analysis only included moves made by adults.

Net gain and loss for states and metropolitan areas was calculated as follows:

# of people moving into the state or city, to
the # of people moving out of the state or city,
expressed as a percentage (%)

Know the Rules: Legal & State Regulations

Can Movers Move Plants?

Moving Plants Cross-Country: The Legal Lowdown

“Once it’s time to dig those plants out of your old garden, you’ll want to be careful not to dig too near the base of the plant…[i]nstead, dig a ring around and a bit away from the main stem of your plant…[f]or larger plants, the ring should be at least 6 inches deep.”

Decide Which Plants Should Make the Trip

Prepare Your Plants for the Move

How To Move Plants From a Garden

Choose the Right Method of Transportation

Pack Plants Properly

How to Prep Plants for Different Vehicles

For Cars

For Rental Trucks

How to Prep Plants for Shipping in the Mail

Care for Plants When You Arrive

Pro Tips for a Smooth Plant Move

Supplies Needed to Pack Wine Safely

Step-By-Step Guide for Packing Wine

Step 1: Have Your Collection Appraised

Step 2: Sort Wine by Type and Size

“Wine endures a lot of rolling and shaking during travel. This can result in a phenomenon called “bottle shock” that causes the wine’s flavors to seem muted or off.”

Step 3: Wrap Each Bottle Individually

Step 4: Tuck Wrapped Bottles Into Your Boxes

Step 5: Fill in the Gaps

Step 6: Add Labels

How to Transport Wine Safely

Unpacking and Reassembling Wine

“Every bottle should be wrapped separately using bubble wrap, packing paper, or specialized bottle sleeves. If you’re using waterproof wine bags as an extra precaution, put those on your bottles before adding padding.”

FAQs About Moving Wine

What if my wine is fragile or oversized?

Can I move wine myself, or should I hire professionals?

Key Findings

“…[W]hen exploring the top 15 least pet-friendly cities in all of the U.S., we see a trend of these cities appearing close to the coasts. Eleven out of fifteen cities are by bodies of water, while five out of the fifteen appear in the state of California.”

Colorado Crowned the Top Pet-Friendly State in the U.S.

Law-Strict Hawaii Is the Least Pet-Friendly State

Colorado Is the Most Dog-Friendly State While Minnesota Is the Most Cat-Friendly

Montana Prefers Dogs the Most While Massachusetts Prefers Cats

Austin, Texas Is the Friendliest U.S. City for Pets

“While 73.2% of total rental listings that were analyzed in the U.S. allowed pets, this meant that 26.8% allowed no pets whatsoever.”

Honolulu, Hawaii Is the Least Pet-Friendly City

Austin, Texas Is the Most Dog and Cat-Friendly City in the U.S.

Virginia Beach, Virginia Prefers Dogs While Boston, Massachusetts Prefers Cats

Do You Live in a Dog State or a Cat State?

The Pet Tax: How to Negotiate Paying Pet Rent

How to avoid pet rent and fees

Methodology:

To find out which cities and states in the U.S. are most pet-friendly, we analyzed rental listings on Zillow and calculated the number that don’t allow pets as a percentage.

We then calculated which states and cities like cats or dogs the most by calculating the percentage difference of if the locations have a higher number of cat or dog listings in each location. These were ranked to show the locations that like cats or dogs the most.

We also found out if each state prefers cats or dogs depending on the number of listings that allow cats or dogs in each location.

We started with a seed list of every U.S. state and the top 100 most populated cities in the country.

Data analyzed September 2024.

Pets, Livestock, and Other Animals

“…[T]he AG requires that you as a gun owner do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer…or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.”

Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Cannabis Products

Here’s $25 Off Movers

Open Container Laws

Plants and Produce

Firearms and Weapons

“…[A]s you peruse California’s laws regarding using, growing, and keeping marijuana in your car, understand that this only applies once you are in-state.”

Illustrations by Marlowe Dobbe

Overall Findings

Taxes, Housing, and Gentrification: The Economic Effects of Moving

“…Vermont is the state that gained the most of the top 20% of earners in America. As many as 89% more top earners moved here than left the state last year…[Meanwhile] Oklahoma (+102%) [had] twice as many low-income households moving into the state than leaving it.”

Low Earners Move More, High Earners Move Farther

Better Housing vs Cheaper Housing: Motivations Behind Moves of Americans by Income Level

Top Earners Vie for Vermont, Low Earners Opt for Oklahoma: Interstate Moves by Income Bracket

“In the past year, the higher earners moved at a rate of only 6.5%, in contrast to the 9% moving rate of those in the bottom 20% of households by income…”

High- and Middle-Income Americans Flock to Central Florida: Income-Based Moves by Metro

State Tables

Top 20% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Bottom 20% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Middle 60% of Earners: States by Net Moves

Metro Area Tables

Top 20% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Bottom 20% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Middle 60% of Earners: Metros by Net Moves

Sources and Methodology

The primary source for all the data used in this study is the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements (as available via IPUMS).

All data on income, moves, their origins, destinations, and reasons behind them, as well as all estimates and percentages are based on moves within the United States.

For this study, the household income brackets were adopted from the DQYDJ data and calculated as follows:

$150,000 or more – top 20%

**Gen Z: 18* – 26**