One of the continuing stories COTTonLINE follows is the migration of Americans from high tax blue states to low tax red states. A story in today’s New York Post takes the narrative another step forward.
United Van Lines’ 45th Annual National Movers Study shows that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were among the five states with the steepest losses. Jersey led the way with 70% of customers leaving the state compared to 30% moving in; for the Empire State (third worst, behind Illinois in second) , it was 63% out, just 37% in. The whole Northeast lost ground, as did California.
From the Post we learn the identity of the top three states losing population: NJ, IL, NY. A check of the study shows CT was number 4 and CA number 5.
In the last couple of decades has any of those states had other than a Democrat-dominated legislature? If so, it was an outlier. All 5 are high tax, high regulation states.
Moving companies aren’t cheap, which means the UVL data is biased toward older, more affluent customers and those whose moves are paid for by their employer. Combining their data with that of trailer and truck rental firms U-Haul, Ryder and Penske would give a more nuanced view of the year’s moves by including young families and the less affluent.
Personal note: in the area of NV where we have a new winter home, many of the new residents are relocating from CA, including the owners of the houses on either side of ours.
Afterthought: Can you read the title of this post without at least subvocalizing the word "Rawhide"?
