Domestic mobility in the United States is currently at historic lows. Only about 11% of Americans moved in 2024, the fewest since record-keeping began in 1948, according to an Axios report. It is clear that a number of American states have more staying power than the rest, driven mainly by people’s unwillingness to leave the state where they were born. While many reasons make these states attractive, especially jobs and family, there are other factors.
Aspects like job markets, affordable real estate, and access to natural settings either retain or attract people en masse. States with low departure rates are called “sticky” states. Meanwhile, other states are more appealing for newcomers: these are known as “magnet” states.
Regardless of the definition, a combination of Census Bureau and Federal Reserve Data indicates which states have the strongest tractor beam.
1. Texas
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“Don’t Mess With Texas,” says the state slogan. Ironically, Texas has the highest proportion of natives who do indeed want to “mess” with Texas, albeit in a good way. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reported in 2023 that a huge 82 % of native Texans still live in Texas. It is officially the stickiest state in America.
Texas’s enormous size, major metros like Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, foster a booming job market. What’s more, a lack of state income tax is a massive dealbreaker in the Lone Star State. Let’s be honest: there are few people as proud of their home state as Texans. It also helps that the state capital, Austin, is officially named WalletHub‘s best city in the United States.
2. North Carolina
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North Carolina retains residents with a mix of scenic beauty and strong urban opportunities. Just one look at the official North Carolina tourism website shows the state’s pristine natural spaces. A combined lure of Appalachian Mountain trails, 300 miles of Outer Banks beaches, and vibrant cities, including Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh, is hard to resist.
MoveBuddha has an exhaustive data set showing North Carolina among the top states where residents stay put. Its mountains-to-coast landscape and historic sites like Fort Fisher and Halifax Historic Site also make the Tar Heel State a great place to settle down and enjoy life.
3. Ohio
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Cities such as Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland offer big-city amenities in Ohio, making it a solid contender for being sticky. Great access to live music, art, and sports in Ohio comes without sky-high housing costs.
The Buckeye State also has a price-to-income wage ratio among the best in the nation, according to the latest Visual Capitalist figures. It also has a cost-of-living advantage over more expensive coastal states. This combination makes it attractive for both families and retirees.
4. Oklahoma
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If it’s good enough for Sylvester Stallone in Paramount Plus’s Tulsa King, it’s good enough for anyone. Oklahoma is one of the more up-and-coming states out there, with a healthy employment market and plenty of open space. Seriously. It is a real outdoor lover’s state. “It’s one of only four states with more than 10 ecoregions,” reads a TravelOK guide to Oklahoma’s open spaces, spanning the Great Plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Oklahoma is classified as a sticky state, meaning a high percentage of people born there remain there as adults. The state’s relatively low cost of living, strong local identity, and employment base in energy, aerospace, agriculture, and government contribute to its resident retention.
5. Minnesota
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The Land of 10,000 Lakes has been in the headlines for many reasons. Yet, that doesn’t detract from it being a popular settling ground. Minnesota ranks as a sticky state due to many high-quality-of-life indicators. For one, the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area is home to a buzzing economy that includes healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and several major corporate headquarters.
Furthermore, the state’s educational attainment, strong public services, and extensive outdoor recreation keep locals staying local. Like many of the Northern states, Minnesota has no shortage of outdoor freedom in the form of lakes and forests, well-maintained trails, and bountiful hunting land. Alongside this backdrop is the state’s emphasis on community activities, such as the Minnesota State Fair and the Cultural Renaissance Festival, all of which keep it in the top five.
6. Wisconsin
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Minnesota’s Eastern neighbor makes the cut partly because about 72% of native-born Wisconsinites still live there, according to a Badger Institute report. They stay because housing costs are moderate relative to national averages, and access to the Great Lakes, forests, and year-round fun contributes to a wholesome lifestyle.
Multigenerational residency is common, reinforcing the state’s overall profile as a family-friendly place. Long-time resident Spencer McKee of Movoto gives a definitive breakdown of Wisconsin’s perks. He cites safety, saving potential, and light traffic among other good reasons to stick around.
7. Georgia
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Atlanta is the jewel in Georgia’s crown, and like its other urban centers, the state capital bristles with enterprise. Georgia’s retention comes from job growth and a relatively low cost of living in its metro areas compared to most other U.S. states. A huge magnet is Atlanta’s booming tech and film industries. It doesn’t hurt that there is mostly pleasant weather, thanks to the state’s location in America’s Sun Belt region.
Added to this appeal is an unforgettable Southern warmth that makes life enjoyable. “Every daily errand is met with a friendly ‘hello,’ where folks ask about your well-being,” writes The Honest Local. “The best part? It’s not uncommon for folks to ask follow-up questions the next time they see you.”
8. South Carolina
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The Eastern Seaboard state is an attractive place to be, according to MyMoveCrew. “This diverse economy means there’s something for everyone…a healthcare worker, or someone looking for opportunities in manufacturing,” says the South Carolina guide page. “The cost of living here is 6% lower than the national average, which is a huge relief for people coming from high-cost states like California.”
South Carolina ranks highly due to its beaches, historic towns, and slower pace of life. Cities like Charleston and Greenville blend culture and outdoor living, while Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head provide endless post-work activities. Further, tourism and community events build a strong local identity that Palmetto State residents lean into. Newcomers end up becoming long-term locals thanks to a lower cost of living and beautiful surroundings.
9. Missouri
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Missouri keeps residents with affordable living costs, major urban centers, and diverse lifestyles. Cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield combine arts scenes, sports, and historic districts. Missouri falls into the sticky category, retaining a high percentage of native-born residents, who enjoy life in metropolitan centers such as St. Louis and Kansas City.
The urban machine room of this state supports Fortune 500 companies, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. Compared with coastal states, Missouri offers comparatively affordable housing and living costs, making in-state relocation more feasible than out-of-state moves. In fact, Missouri Partnership’s latest survey puts the state number four nationwide in affordable living and retirement.
10. Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvanians often stay because their state offers a rich combination of natural beauty, cultural depth, and a pace of life that many find hard to replace elsewhere. Of course, cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will attract workers to the state’s corporate industries, but the landscape makes many stay.
“Lehigh Valley has shown me opportunity in the sense of being young and starting a family,” writes Andrew Stanten for Made Possible in Lehigh Valley. The state’s four distinct seasons, its forests, rivers, and mountains, provide access to outdoor life from the Poconos to the Laurel Highlands and Lake Erie shoreline. Pennsylvania’s outdoor spaces and the subsequent activities they offer make for the perfect balance of working and living.