An analysis prepared by United Van Lines, the nation’s largest household goods mover, shows a growing number of Americans packing up their belongings and heading to the West and Southeast, leaving Michigan and neighboring states behind.

As part of its 30th annual “migration” study, the company analyzed households it assisted with moves in 2006, and the effect of Michigan’s continuing job losses¹ is clear. United Van Lines found that the number of customers moving from the Central Northeast region, which includes Michigan, increased. The company tracks customer moves over 12 months, and reports on the communities that see large numbers of residents leave and  their most popular destinations.

In its study, UVL identifies three categories -- high inbound (55 percent or more of moves going into a state), high outbound (55 percent or more of moves leaving a particular state) or balanced. Although the majority of states were in the balanced category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts.

States in the Central Northeast generally showed an outbound trend, according to UVL. Ranked No. 2 on the high outbound list in 2005, Michigan tied for the top spot last year with 66 percent  of moves headed elsewhere. The 2006 rate is a 2.1 percent increase of over the prior year.

Other Central Northeast states that topped the outbound list include New York (59.5 percent), which has been a high outbound state since the survey was established, Indiana (58.2 percent), a high outbound state since 1993, and Illinois (55.7 percent), which has been on the list since the survey’s inception. Other list holdovers include New Jersey (60.9 percent, on high outbound list  since 1997), Pennsylvania (57 percent, high outbound list for the past three years) and Ohio (55.8 percent, ranked since 1992).

The nation’s West and Southeast states were happy to receive in 2006. North Carolina emerged as the top Southeast destination (64.0 percent inbound) for UVL customers. Other Southeast states making the list include South Carolina (60.6 percent, and on the high-inbound list for 13th consecutive year), Alabama (57.5 percent, fourth appearance on the list) and Tennessee (55.8 percent in 2006).  Although not considered high inbound states, others also welcomed large numbers of new residents. Georgia at 53.9 percent, continued its 25-year trend of high inbound volume, while Kentucky (52.9) percent is on a five-year and Mississippi (50.1 percent) saw its inbound rate last year rise 3.2 percent over 2005.

Movers are also going west, evident by the number headed to Oregon (62.5 percent high inbound, and a member of the list for 19 years). Nearby Nevada (59.9 percent), New Mexico (57.9 percent, a 3.7 percent increase), Utah (56.0 percent, up nearly 6 percent) and Arizona (55.4 percent) also made the list. 

Idaho’s (59.3 percent inbound) ranking has held steady for the past 19 years, and Montana’s for five years (55.0 percent inbound). 

Although not considered high inbound, other Western states experienced an increase over the prior year including Colorado (54.7 percent inbound), which saw a 1.2 percent increase, and Wyoming (54.4 percent inbound), which boasted a 4.3 percent rise.

Table 1 provides an overall look at 2006 trends across the states.²

It costs more to leave Detroit than to arrive

The large numbers of residents leaving Michigan, and the Detroit metropolitan area, has had a very interesting effect on U-Haul prices.  The exodus has resulted in a dearth of U-Haul vehicles available in the area, which, in turn, has affected the prices that are charged.

I have selected two examples of high destination areas to illustrate my point.

If a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident wants to rent a 24 ft. U-Haul truck (which accommodates about 3-4 bedrooms worth of furniture) it will cost $351.  If the trip is reversed, and a Detroit resident wants to head to Charlotte, that same truck will cost $1,691!

The second example uses Austin, Texas as the origin and destination.  If an Austin resident is headed here in a 24 ft. truck, he/she will have been charged $484.  If the trip is reversed, a Detroit resident will have to pay $2,038.

It certainly appears that this should serve as an incentive to either stay in the area, or make friends with someone who owns a big truck!

Sample quotes are available by emailing Kurt Metzger.