CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has long been associated with outmigration, but new data tell a different story. The Mountain State now ranks among the nation’s top states for net domestic migration, according to Emilia Man, senior research analyst at StorageCafe.
Man said an analysis of 2024 U.S. Census data sharply contrasts with the state’s long-standing association with population loss. West Virginia ranked sixth nationally for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents, outpacing large Sun Belt states such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina.
“West Virginia’s rise as a migration destination reflects a broader recalibration happening in housing markets,” Man said. “When home values in neighboring states run anywhere from 29% to 58% higher, the calculus for where to put down roots shifts, and that’s exactly what the 2024 data captures.”
A U.S.-based online platform, StorageCafe helps consumers search for and compare self-storage facilities nationwide. The company also publishes housing, migration, and real estate research reports using data from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, and other market databases.
West Virginia gained about 14,300 net domestic migrants in 2024, averaging roughly 39 new residents per day, according to Man.
Largest share of new residents came from neighboring states
The largest share of new residents came from neighboring states, Man said. Virginia accounted for about 8,000 movers to West Virginia, followed by Pennsylvania with 6,900 and Ohio with 5,000. Texas and North Carolina also contributed sizable numbers, with about 3,000 and 2,900 movers, respectively.
West Virginia’s home values were between 29% and 61% lower than those in the states that supplied the most inbound residents, suggesting that affordability remains a major factor in relocation decisions.
Compared with neighboring states such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, West Virginia offers significantly lower home prices and rents, making it attractive to younger adults facing high housing costs elsewhere.
Gen Z leads wave of people moving to West Virginia
Generation Z accounted for the largest share of inbound movers, at 32% of new arrivals, surpassing Millennials. The report said 2024 was the first year Gen Z became the nation’s most mobile generation.
Several factors appear to be driving members of Generation Z to West Virginia, including the growing ability to work remotely or pursue flexible careers outside major metropolitan areas. Smaller cities and outdoor recreation opportunities also appeal to younger residents seeking a different lifestyle from that of large urban areas. The state’s proximity to East Coast population centers allows some workers to remain connected to larger job markets without paying big-city housing prices.
Nearly half of newcomers moving to West Virginia—46%—arrived as homeowners, indicating many are making long-term moves rather than temporary relocations. The report also found that although interstate migration has slowed nationally since post-pandemic highs, West Virginia’s per-capita gains remained steady.
The full report and methodology are available through StorageCafe’s interstate migration analysis.
The study follows a report by United Van Lines
Data from United Van Lines also underscores a broader shift toward smaller states, outdoor access, and affordable living. West Virginia is emerging as one of the nation’s top destinations for inbound moves, according to the company.
In 2025, United Van Lines, one of the largest moving companies in the United States, ranked West Virginia among the country’s leading inbound states, with 62% of all moves coming into the state, placing it second nationally behind Oregon, according to Eily Cummings, vice president of corporate communications.
Cummings said the findings reflect changing migration patterns as Americans reassess where and how they want to live. United Van Lines data shows many Americans are seeking a different pace of life that emphasizes affordability, community, and quality of place.
Nationally, she said, the most common reasons for interstate moves were being closer to family (29%), company transfers or new jobs (26%), and retirement (14%). The study also points to a growing preference for smaller cities and towns, where lower housing costs and less congestion offer an alternative to large metropolitan areas.
Economists say relocation decisions are increasingly complex. “For most Americans, interstate relocation is no longer a linear calculation,” said Michael A. Stoll, an economist and professor of public policy at UCLA. “It’s a complex decision balancing multiple competing factors.”
Why West Virginia is attracting newcomers
Affordability, strong community ties, proximity to family, and expanding job opportunities—particularly in healthcare and remote-friendly industries—are key factors drawing people to the Mountain State.
These motivations mirror national trends but are amplified in West Virginia, where housing costs remain well below national averages, and outdoor recreation is woven into daily life.
State and local leaders say the influx presents both opportunity and responsibility. New residents can strengthen local economies, support small businesses, and help stabilize communities facing population decline.