Most us movers head to oregon

Photo: Gabri Micha

More than 61 per cent of all interstate moves in Oregon last year were people coming into the state to live, according to United Van Lines' annual migration research. Washington D.C. was previously the number one choice, notes CNN, and had been for the past five years, but now the US capital is in fourth place, alongside South Dakota.

South Carolina was the second most popular destination for domestic US migrants, with 60 per cent of the state's moves made up of people coming into the state.

"Business incentives, industrial growth and relatively lower costs of living are attracting jobs and people to the Southeastern and Western states, such as South Dakota, Colorado and Texas," explained UCLA economist Michael Stoll.

Indeed, high living costs prompted many Americans to leave their home, with 64 per cent of New Jersey movers swapping their state for another. Illinois and New York both saw people move state to avoid expensive living costs too.

2013 also marked a turnaround for Michigan. For the first time in 16 years, more people moved into the state than out of it, attracted by rising house prices and growing employment opportunities.