John E. Chapman Chief Executive OfficerOver the past few years, you likely have read stories about the rising interest of people looking to move to different areas of the United States. For various reasons, including the increased ability for many to work remotely these days, relocating to other states has become more popular.
Since the pandemic, many re-evaluated where they wanted to reside. Many moved for a reduced overall cost-of-living (including potentially lower future taxes) or to live closer to family or friends. Others may have relocated for personal health and improved overall quality of life reasons.
In a June, 2025 post titled “Are you considering relocating to another state? Comparing Tax Rates for Retirees to consider,” (https://ccpwealth.com/insight/are-you-considering-relocating-to-another-state-comparing-tax-rates-for-retirees-to-consider), I focused on sharing tax differences between states, which should be considered prior to relocating. But there are other issues, besides taxes, that can influence a move to another state.
In the 2025 annual United Van Lines National Movers study, it was interesting to see that Oregon, South Carolina and West Virginia were the top 3 states seeing the largest increased migration into their states, while New Jersey, California and Illinois saw the highest outbound migration. In this same study, the two states that served as the largest migration magnets over the past decade, Texas and Florida, were categorized as having “balanced” migration.
Despite Texas and Florida being attractive from an overall tax standpoint for its residents, the study indicated rising housing costs as a primary reason for changing to a “balanced” migration pattern. This suggests people are considering other non-tax issues when thinking about relocating to another state including:
Cost of Everyday Living Expenses
Getting a good estimate of how much your everyday expenses would change is important to know when evaluating a possible move to a new state.
Researching some of the following questions will help you understand cost differences:
- Groceries: How much do groceries cost in this new state?
- Gas: Will you end up driving more if you relocate and if so, how does the gas price compare? Will your monthly gas expense to fill your tank increase?
- Entertainment: Will entertainment expenses and the cost of the hobbies you enjoy change?
One thing to consider is to live in a region for a few months prior to relocating full-time. By doing this, it will help provide a better understanding of the costs which will allow for easier comparisons to your current situation. You will likely find that some expenses will increase, while others will decrease.
Also, there are many basic online cost-of-living calculators where you can plug in a location and a list of approximate costs for different categories, such as those listed above, are available.
Housing-Related Costs and Other Housing Considerations
Housing prices and housing-related costs are easy to research thanks to the internet and various AI resources, but what you see is not always what you get.
While it is easy to see rental prices and home prices, there are other housing expenses, which you need to consider as well. For example, when purchasing a home, you should also educate yourself on the following:
- Property taxes
- Insurance costs
- Transaction costs for buying a home
- Homeowners’ association fees
- Any other home-related costs
The costs above a home’s price can often make a home that you thought was reasonably priced turn out to be unaffordable.
Whether you buy or rent in your new location, make sure that you consider possible differences in ordinary household costs, such as utilities, as those may be vastly different due to the climate you will be living in. For example, if you want to maintain nice landscaping in a dry climate, your water bill could be extremely high.
For retirees who are considering buying a home in a new area, consider choosing one that will continue to serve you well as you get older. For example, a one-story home that would be easier to move around in and the size of your new home – i.e. do you want the work and cost involved with maintaining a large home and yard, not only now, but in the future?
Job Opportunities
If you are relocating in your current job or have plans to work remotely in a position at a new company, understanding the local job market is crucial for long-term security and career growth. Researching which industries are thriving in your target state and whether your profession has a strong presence there is also important.
If your field happens to be underrepresented, you may face limited opportunities for advancement or difficulty finding new employment if your current situation changes. For that reason, investigating the state’s economic outlook and employment trends over the past five years should be helpful.
Also, learn about average salaries for your profession in the new location. For example, the average annual teacher’s salary in Illinois is on average $18,000 more than in Tennessee (teachforamerica.org; August, 2026).
It might make sense to examine average commute times, because what appears to be a geographically close job market might involve hours stuck in traffic each day.
School System
If you have school-aged children and are considering relocating to a different state, the local school system and access to quality higher education opportunities is important to research. Visit school websites, read recent parent reviews, and, if possible, schedule tours of schools in neighborhoods you are considering.
Also, pay attention to class sizes, extracurricular offerings, special education services, and gifted programs that might be relevant to your children’s needs. Some states emphasize STEM education, while others have strong arts programs or career and technical education pathways.
Beyond the public school system, consider researching school choice options such as charter schools, magnet programs, and private school availability and affordability. For high school students, investigate graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and the availability of Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
The quality of the school district can make a big difference, and a good school can also help to make the transition to a new area and the interruption of the friendships they leave behind easier for your children.
Quality of Health Care
Healthcare accessibility and quality can vary significantly between states, and this becomes increasingly important as we age or if family members have chronic conditions. Research the availability of primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals in your target area.
Also, investigate whether your current health insurance will be accepted in your new state, or if you will need to find new providers and plans. Some insurance networks have limited coverage outside their home states, and changing plans can affect your out-of-pocket costs and continuity of care.
Finally, look into the quality rankings of local hospitals and healthcare systems, and particularly for seniors, research prescription drug costs and pharmacy options in the area. Prices can vary by region, and some areas have limited pharmacy competition, which will increase prescription costs.
Distance from Family and Friends
For many, relocating to an area that is a long distance from family and friends is one of the most important factors to consider. How far will you be from the people you love most? Would it be convenient and relatively inexpensive for your family members to visit you and for you to visit them?
Retirees often have close family and friends scattered around the country, or even the world, and it is important to consider both the cost and time involved with visiting those individuals.
Also, for retirees, if you expect family or friends to care for you during your advanced years, proximity to those expected caregivers is an important consideration. If this is in your plans, then relocating to a different area of the country a long distance from family is probably not a wise option.
Proximity to a Major Airport
If you plan to regularly travel for work or pleasure, living within a reasonable distance from an airport that also offers regular flights to many destinations (preferably direct), makes sense.
Having to drive several hours to an airport, not to mention flight time, could make travel a lot less enjoyable and more costly. Also, if you expect to entertain out-of-town visitors at your new location, living closer to an airport will make transportation a lot easier for your guests as well.
Climate
Residing in a climate where there is nicer weather, particularly in the winter months, is one of the more popular reasons for moving to another state, particularly for retirees. When you are “officially” retired and no longer tied to a particular area because of work, it might make sense to visit an area for an extended period of time to help determine whether you can imagine living in the different climate.
If a change in climate is a main driver for wanting to relocate, rather than just learning the average temperature in a particular region during the year, consider visiting that new location during various times of the year, rather than strictly during the nicest weather months.
For example, if you are considering moving to a state like Arizona or Florida, think about visiting in the summertime, when many people find the hot temperatures unbearable, compared to the excellent October through May weather months.
Also, it is a good idea to educate yourself on the frequency of natural disasters which may occur in your new area. If it is sunny and beautiful for most of the year, but there is a chance that you will have to deal with the possibility of evacuating every year due to hurricanes or wildfires, is that an area that you will be comfortable living in?
Amenities and Opportunities to Support your Desired Lifestyle
Think about the activities that you enjoy participating in and investigate whether the area that you are considering offers the amenities that will support those interests.
If you enjoy fine dining or international cuisine, look at what the local restaurant scene offers. The same applies for adult education classes, museums, theaters, live music, hiking trails, golf courses and more.
For those who are part of a church community and might plan on attending a church in the new location, will your religious denomination be available for you? The Chamber of Commerce website will be helpful in educating you on the church options in the community.
If shopping is part of your weekly routine and you enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s or Costco, for example, would you be okay if those stores were not in your new area?
You can also learn about shopping venues in the community by exploring the local Chamber of Commerce website.
Signs of Future Prosperity or Decline
Keep in mind that an area or neighborhood that you are considering might look attractive now, but it is important to envision what it will be like in the future. There are indicators that might be helpful in determining the longer-term health and stability of a particular area.
For example, if the local economy is currently strong and the major employers in the area are involved in industries with a promising future, such as those focusing on technology/innovation and medical research, that might bode well for the future health of the economy. On the other hand, a region that is reliant on a few aging manufacturing plants may raise concerns regarding the sustainability of the standard of living for its residents in the future.
It is easy to research population growth and employment rate trends online. You can also learn whether new construction and revitalization projects within existing neighborhoods is taking place, or if homes are falling into disrepair and shopping centers with vacant stores are prevalent.
Also, to become educated on the level of crime in a particular area, there are various websites where you can access local police crime reports to ensure that you understand the safety statistics of the neighborhood you are considering moving into.
Summary
There are many factors to consider before moving to another state, and the list of variables goes well beyond those that are listed in this post. No matter whether you are working or are in the retirement stage, relocating to a new place will require extensive research and a clear understanding of whether your new location will better address those issues that are most important to you and subsequently, will enable you to live the type of life you envision.
As you consider the relocation decision and need to evaluate the overall financial impact a move to another state might entail, our Clearwater Capital Partners Advisory and Advanced Planning Teams are here to assist you.
20261005-1
