More Residents Are Leaving Massachusetts, Survey Finds

More people packed up and left Massachusetts last year than moved in, continuing a trend that has policymakers and residents alike wondering about the state’s future.

According to the 2025 United Van Lines National Movers Study, Massachusetts ranked No. 7 in the nation for outbound moves, with 55 percent of relocations heading out of state compared to 45 percent inbound. The findings highlighted rising costs and a shifting job landscape as key reasons people are choosing to relocate.

While Massachusetts remains a hub for education, biotech, and healthcare, many residents say that the state’s high housing prices, long commutes, and overall cost of living have become too much to bear. Renters and first‑time homebuyers in particular are feeling squeezed, as median home prices continue to hover well above half a million dollars. Several cities outside greater Boston now see listings above $700,000 for single‑family homes, putting pressure on middle‑income families.

United Van Lines’ broader national analysis found that people are increasingly seeking affordability and quality of life over big‑city prestige. States attracting the most inbound movers — such as Vermont, South Carolina, and Arizona — offer lower housing costs, warmer climates, or a slower pace of living. For some Bay Staters, that trade‑off is worth leaving the jobs and communities they’ve built.

Despite the outward flow, Massachusetts still retains a strong economic base, anchored by research universities, technology firms, and medical institutions that attract talent from around the world. But young professionals and retirees alike are re‑evaluating whether they can make a long‑term life here.

The exodus raises longer‑term questions for state leaders. Fewer residents can mean reduced tax revenue and shifting housing demand, particularly if remote‑work opportunities allow more people to live anywhere. Policymakers have responded by emphasizing housing reform, transportation investments, and cost‑of‑living initiatives. Yet as the 2025 study shows, reversing the outbound trend will take time.

For now, Massachusetts remains a place of opportunity — but one where the price of admission feels increasingly steep. Whether the state can balance affordability with its economic strength may determine if more moving vans roll out of driveways next year.