The States That People Never Leave

By: Beth Moreton | Published: May 09, 2024

Some people cannot wait for the day that they can leave home and move out of their home state to one that offers them more promise.

However, others love their home state so much that they never want to leave. There are five states that Americans never leave, all for a number of different reasons.

Reasons Why People Never Leave Their State

There are numerous reasons why people never leave their state

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A map of the US states.

Source: BokicaK/Wikimedia Commons

This includes having a good sense of community, low tax rates, affordable housing, lifestyles, or simply just having all of their family and friends there that they never want to leave. 

Holding Onto Texas

Texas is one state whose residents are refusing to leave.

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A red Texas sign next to a cactus plant.

Sourcr: Enrique Macias/Unsplash

People love living in Texas because the people living there are very friendly and will always welcome you in with open arms. 

Texas Has a Good Economy

One of the main reasons why Texans refuse to leave is because of its economy.

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The Texas flag. The flag has a blue vertical stripe on the left with a white star in the middle. Next to it are two vertical white and red stripes.

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Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world, with a value of $2.4 trillion. As an added plus, in a world where the job market is struggling and many are unemployed, just 3.9% of Texans are unemployed. 

The Tar Heel of North Carolina

75.5% of people who were born in North Carolina are still living there. 

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A view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.

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North Carolina has a good balance between mountains and beaches, meaning its residents never have to leave because they have the best of both worlds.

North Carolina's Cost of Living Is Low

One of the main benefits of living in North Carolina is that its cost of living is relatively low compared to other states, at 4% below the average US state. 

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A view of the city of Charlotte in North Carolina. The picture is taken in the evening and there are tall skyscrapers in the center.

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It is one of the only states in the US with a flat income tax rate, meaning everyone gets taxed the same amount on their earnings, regardless of how much they earn. 

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The Perfection of Georgia

Georgia is known as the Peach State, but it’s not just Georgia’s peaches that have its residents stay there for life. 

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A view of a city in Georgia. In the background are skyscrapers next to autumn trees.

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Just like North Carolina, Georgia has a good balance between mountains, beach, and city living, meaning that there is something for everyone.

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The Georgian Sense of Community

One of the main pulls that keeps Georgia’s residents there is its sense of community.

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A large group of people sat around a table eating and drinking.

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Georgia is home to a variety of traditions and festivals that many across the state engage with every year, and if they were to leave, they wouldn’t be able to engage with these events anymore. 

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The Golden Opportunities in California

California gets its ‘Golden State’ nickname for a reason: it receives constant sunshine.

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The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

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73% of Californians end up staying for life, but it isn’t just its sunshine that is causing people to stay.

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The Promise of Opportunities in California

It is the promise of opportunities in California that tends to be the main reason people stay there. 

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A quiet street at sunrise in San Francisco, California. There are houses on the street and someone is crossing the road, walking their dog.

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The Californian Government has created a federal program known as promise zones. This program creates jobs, improves educational outcomes, and increases affordable housing, which encourages many California residents to stay. 

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The Badger State of Wisconsin

Known as the Badger State, Wisconsin has one of the highest amounts of residents who were born there and don’t plan on leaving.

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at sunset. The city has a lot of high-rise buildings.

Source: Tom Barrett/Unsplash

Even though house prices in Wisconsin have risen by 5.9%, they are still significantly lower than other US states, which is one sticking factor many love. 

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Wisconsin Has a Strong Economy

One of the main reasons Wisconsin’s residents decide to stay there is due to its strong economy.

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A view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over a body of water. The city contains lots of high-rise buildings.

Source: Tom Barrett/Unsplash

Wisconsin has a high employment rate and a low poverty rate, making the state so attractive that people never want to leave based on these alone. 

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