Why So Many Washingtonians Are Packing Up for More Affordable States

chnaubert
May 7
5 min read

Updated: May 15

If it feels like your neighbors keep listing their homes and heading somewhere new, you're not imagining it. Washington — once one of the country's most reliable destinations for new residents — has joined the growing list of high-cost-of-living states watching long-time locals load up the truck and drive somewhere cheaper.

At Allwest Moving & Storage, we've been helping families relocate across the Pacific Northwest and the country since 1962. Lately, more and more of those long-distance jobs are pointed out of Washington rather than into it. Here's a closer look at what's driving the trend, where people are going, and what the data actually says.

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The Trend at a Glance

Multiple national migration reports now show Washington — and Seattle in particular — as a state losing residents to lower-cost regions!

The United Van Lines 49th Annual National Movers Study (released December 2025) found that more than half of all U.S. moves in 2025 were driven by family ties (29%), a job change (26%), or retirement (14%) — with affordability quietly underpinning all three.
The Allied Van Lines 2025 U.S. Migration Report identified Seattle as one of the major metros with the highest outbound migration in the country, alongside Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
The PODS 2025 Moving Trends Report ranked Seattle 12th among U.S. cities Americans are leaving in 2025, citing high housing costs, taxes, and overall affordability.
The U-Haul 2025 Growth Index still placed Washington in the top 10 inbound states overall, but Tacoma and Vancouver fell out of the top 25 growth cities — meaning growth is concentrating in smaller metros like Spokane and Lacey rather than the urban core.
According to Washington's Office of Financial Management (OFM), migration accounted for 78% of the state's population growth from 2024 to 2025, even as overall growth slowed — births alone aren't keeping pace with departures.

In short: Washington still attracts newcomers, but a growing number of long-time residents are heading for the exits.

People moving out of Washington State and Seattle

Why People Are Leaving

The reasons echo what you'd hear in California, New York, or Massachusetts — just with a Pacific Northwest twist.

1. Housing Costs

Seattle's median home price hovers around $750,000, according to Zillow data cited by the Washington Policy Center — well above what comparable homes cost in many parts of the South and Mountain West. Median home prices in popular destination states like the Carolinas and Tennessee often sit under $400,000, putting homeownership within reach for families who've been priced out of King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties.

2. Taxes and Cost of Living

While Washington has no state income tax, a recent capital gains tax, rising property taxes, high gas prices, high sales tax, and some of the highest energy costs on the West Coast all eat into household budgets. The Washington Policy Center notes the state currently ranks 45th in business tax climate (!), which has implications for both employers and workers.

3. A Cooler Tech Job Market

Seattle's tech boom drove a decade of population growth, but the local labor market has softened. KNKX Public Radio reports Washington's nonfarm job openings rate is currently 3.7%, below the national 4.5%, and tech layoffs and slower hiring have made the region's premium cost of living harder to justify for many workers.

4. Remote Work Flexibility

Hybrid and fully remote roles have given Pacific Northwest professionals the option to keep their salary while moving somewhere their dollar goes further. The United Van Lines study found that, for the first time in years, moving for a job (26%) outpaced moving for retirement (14%) — a sign that workers are actively choosing geography rather than chasing offices.

"For most Americans, interstate relocation is no longer a linear calculation — it's a complex decision balancing multiple competing factors." — Michael A. Stoll, Professor of Public Policy, UCLA (via United Van Lines 2025 study)

Moving out of Washington state — The all-to-common "gray" Seattle. Seattle's median home price has crossed $750,000 — well above national norms.

Where Washingtonians Are Moving To

Several destinations come up repeatedly in 2025 migration data:

Idaho

Idaho was a top inbound state for the second year in a row, and 80% of Idaho counties grew their population in 2025, according to Census Bureau data. Boise, Meridian, and Nampa are particular favorites for Pacific Northwest movers thanks to lower housing costs, similar climate, and proximity to family back home.

Texas

U-Haul ranked Texas the No. 1 growth state in 2025, with Dallas-Fort Worth as the top growth metro. No state income tax, lower home prices, and strong job markets in tech, healthcare, and energy make Austin, Dallas, and Houston magnets for relocating Washingtonians.

Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina

These three Southern states have appeared in the top inbound rankings every year since 2020. The Allied Van Lines 2025 Migration Report named the Carolinas and Tennessee the top inbound region for the fourth consecutive year, citing lower taxes, milder winters, and significantly more affordable housing. Charlotte, Nashville, and Greenville all continue to see notable growth.

Arizona

Phoenix continues to attract West Coast transplants seeking sunshine, lower home prices, and a familiar western lifestyle. moveBuddha's 2026 trend report ranked Arizona among the top five Mountain West destinations gaining momentum.

Florida

Despite its rising costs, Florida still ranks at or near the top for inbound demand. No state income tax, retiree-friendly policies, and warm weather keep places like Ocala, Tampa, and The Villages popular.

Moving from Washington to Boise, Idaho — Downtown Boise, Idaho - one of the fastest growing small cities in the US.

What This Means If You're Considering a Move

If you're weighing a long-distance move out of Washington, you're in good company — but a smart move still requires careful planning. A few things to think about:

Total cost of ownership matters more than sticker price

Property taxes, insurance (especially in storm-prone or wildfire-prone regions), HOA fees, utilities, and vehicle costs vary widely between states. A cheaper home isn't always a cheaper life.

Confirm your employer's remote-work policy before listing

Some companies adjust salaries based on location, and some require employees to live in approved states. Get the answer in writing before you post the "For Sale" sign.

Long-distance moves take longer to coordinate

Interstate moves typically require booking 6–8 weeks in advance during peak season (May through September is the busiest window).

Use a vetted, licensed mover

The American Trucking Associations' Moving & Storage Conference (ATA-MSC) — the leading national organization representing professional household goods movers — recommends consumers always get at least three in-home estimates, verify the company's U.S. DOT registration, and avoid any mover requesting large up-front cash deposits. This is the easiest way to avoid the "rogue mover" scams the FMCSA gets thousands of complaints about every year. Allwest Moving and Storage are interstate agents for Wheaton World Wide Moving - the number one rated long-distance moving company for families in the United States.

Storage flexibility can be a lifesaver

Closing dates rarely line up perfectly across two states. Having access to secure, climate-controlled storage between move-out and move-in dates removes a major source of stress.

Allwest & Wheaton moving truck moving family from Seattle, WA to Arizona — Wheaton World Wide Moving is the long-distance mover of choice for families relocating away from Washington

We're Here for the Move — Whichever Direction You're Going

Whether you're a tech professional headed to Boise, a retiree trading Olympia rain for Tennessee sunshine, or a family looking for more house in the Carolinas, Allwest Moving & Storage has been helping Pacific Northwest residents relocate across the country for over 60 years. Our team handles long-distance interstate moves, short and long-term storage, professional packing, and military and senior relocations — all with the family-owned care we've built our reputation on.