Atlas Van Lines’ recently released their 2024 Migration Trends Study, which detailed the top inbound and outbound U.S. states people moved to. The data is based on relocations from Nov 1st, 2023 to Oct 31st 2024 and measures Atlas customers’ interstate and international moves.
For referral agents, staying on top of these trends means knowing where demand is growing and where connections with trusted partners are essential. Whether you are helping clients relocate to high-demand states or assisting those selling in outbound markets, using this data is a powerful way to strategically grow your referral business.
Let’s dive into the trends and what they mean for your network!
Top Inbound States
Note: This year’s study, for the first time, also surveyed customers on why they moved. Their survey of 1,135 people found the top three reasons for moving were for employment, to be closer to family and/or friends, and for affordability reasons.
With that in mind, it makes sense that Arkansas would be a top inbound state. As the cost of living continues to rise in many parts of the country, the median home price in Arkansas sits at $255K as of December 2024, according to Redfin data. Additionally, Arkansas has a strong economy and is home to major employers like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services.
Other top inbound states have similar attributes. For example, with the exception of Washington and Washington, DC, all of the top inbound states have a median home price under $500k, making them ideal places for relocation.
Top Outbound States
Louisiana is an interesting state to fall on the top outbound states because of its proximity to its bustling northern neighbor, Arkansas. But Louisiana is experiencing notable population decline, mostly due to a slow economy and climate disasters. The Wall Street Journal cited hurricanes hitting the Cameron Parish area, noting that “since 2005, four major hurricanes and a handful of smaller ones have hit Cameron Parish, halving its population to less than 5000.”
Other states like California, New York, and Illinois top the outbound state list most likely due to affordability and high cost-of-living. California has the second highest median home price in the nation at around $800k, according to Redfin (but much higher in major metro areas.) And New York’s median home price isn’t that high statewide at $530k, but the New York City metro area is quite expensive at $840k.
Connecting with Top Agents on Handshake
As we see shifting migration patterns in 2024, positioning yourself as a top agent in an inbound or outbound location has never been more important. With Handshake, you can connect with top-performing agents in these high-demand states to build a strong referral network.To start, simply click on the Members tab from your home screen, search by state or city, and browse through agent profiles in those areas.
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