Sioux Falls ranks among top cities where people are moving

Sioux Falls keeps outpacing the nation with new residents.

United Van Lines’ 47th annual National Movers Study ranks the Sioux Falls metro area fourth in the nation. Only ranking higher: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Flagstaff, Arizona.

According to the results of the study, which tracks the company’s data for customers’ state-to-state migration patterns, 80 percent of United Van Lines customers were moving to Sioux Falls, while 20 percent were moving out.

South Dakota ranked seventh among the states for in-migration, with nearly 60 percent moving in and 40 percent moving out.

The study largely indicates Americans are moving eastbound and southbound – and relocating to less expensive areas with comparable amenities to larger metropolitans.   

For the third consecutive year, Vermont was the top state for in-migration. The Midwest and West saw outbound moving trends, with North Dakota and Kansas making the list of top outbound states.

“We are continuing to see the trend that Americans are moving to more affordable, lower-density areas across the country, with many heading to Southern states,” said Eily Cummings, United Van Lines vice president of corporate communications. “Movers are also becoming more strategic with their planning as relocation continues to be driven by factors such as the price of housing, regional climates, urban planning and job growth.”   Here’s a closer look nationally at what’s prompting people to move:

“The COVID-19 pandemic influenced decisions to move and accelerated existing moving patterns in 2020, mostly driven by the opportunity to work remotely, the desire to be closer to family and better affordability,” said Michael Stoll, an economist and professor in the department of public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Some Americans may be faced with economic uncertainty, coupled with an increased cost of living and lack of affordable housing. This can result in adjustments to moving timelines or people making interstate moves rather than across states.”  

In a separate study by U-Haul, South Dakota ranked No. 19 for growth, up 12 spots from 2022. It calculates growth by each state’s net gain or loss of one-way equipment from customer transactions in a calendar year.

Lifelong Kentucky residents looking for a change find Sioux Falls on a road trip – and decide to move