The States Americans Are Choosing to Leave and The Places They’re Moving to Instead

Pennsylvania, famous for its cheesesteaks and sweet treats in Hershey, isn’t retaining residents for its culinary delights. In 2020, one in five Americans relocated, driven primarily by a quest for more affordable or upgraded housing, according to Move.org. Among these movers, over 60% were renters, with 37% transitioning to homeownership while 63% continued to rent.

In 2021, employment emerged as the Keystone State’s top motivator, notably amidst its relatively high unemployment rate of 5.4%. The aftermath of the pandemic saw work-related challenges, health concerns, evolving housing needs, and significant income losses. As Reddit user explainlikeimfifty observes, while Pennsylvania isn’t a dreadful place to live, it falls short of paradise, particularly outside of major areas like Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, or Pittsburgh, where the job market doesn’t shine quite as brightly.