The Most Popular State to Move to in 2022

According to Allied’s Annual US Migration Report, Arizona is the most popular state to move to for the second year in a row. In fact, Arizona has been a top destination for the past five years. But what is it about the Grand Canyon State that attracts so many people? Why are Americans moving to Arizona?

Amazing Job Opportunities

Arizona is a place where it’s easy to do business. Companies don’t pay much in taxes or operating costs. Regulations are streamlined and easy to navigate. Workers are skilled and well-educated. Commercial real estate is affordable and easy to find. And its infrastructure connects it to major markets in the Western Southern, and Northern United States, including some of the country's biggest shipping hubs.

As a result, Arizona is booming. Startups, entrepreneurs, and major corporations are flocking to the state, resulting in massive job creation. Employment has grown at 5.2 percent over the past five years (4.2 percent in 2022 alone), compared with an average of 3.7 percent in the rest of the nation.

There is a huge demand for workers in IT, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, finance, and business services. There are also multiple openings in the state’s thriving agricultural, mining, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

Over the past 30 years, more than 800 businesses have moved to Arizona or expanded their operations here. Companies such as Nikola, Lucid Motors, Atlis Motor Vehicles, Taiwan Semiconductor, ElectraMeccancia, and LG Energy Solutions are investing heavily in new facilities and can’t hire people fast enough. With more good paying jobs than there are people to fill them, salaries have risen steadily over the past few years, making Arizona one of the best places to launch or expand your career.

Lower Taxes and Cost of Living

Arizona has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country. Only 8.7 percent of the state’s gross domestic product is paid in tax every year. And the state recently passed a 2.5 percent flat tax on income, lowering the burden even further. There’s no estate tax either, making it an attractive destination for retirees and anyone interested in building generational wealth. Property taxes are also capped, a huge break for homeowners.

Reducing taxes has made it easier for residents to meet expenses. Arizona’s cost of living matches the national average fairly closely. Its residents pay more for housing, transportation, and utilities, but less for groceries, healthcare, clothing, and entertainment. Though not as affordable as Texas, the low tax burden makes living in Arizona considerably cheaper than places like California, one of its main sources of immigration.

Warm Weather

Arizona is sunny and warm nearly year round. The average high is just under 70°F in winter and around 100°F in summer. Skies are clear practically every day. Southern and Central Arizona are perfect for sunbathing, while anyone who prefers colder, crisper climates will enjoy the northern sections of the state, which are far more mild.

Incredible Access to Nature

Despite its growing economy, Arizona is still a wild state. In fact, it has twice as many wilderness areas as the entire Midwest (90 vs. 50). Besides the Grand Canyon, residents can explore Antelope Canyon, Coyote Buttes, Monument Valley, Barringer Crater, and the red rock hills around Sedona. There are also rivers, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and extensive pine forests to the north.

Residents can hike, bike, swim, and climb in some of the most complex and diverse deserts in the world, full of sandstone hoodoos, joshua trees, wild grasslands, colorful cacti, and a fascinating array of wild animals, including coyotes, gila monsters, and the elusive roadrunner. In winter, you can even go skiing in the state's extensive mountain ranges!

Diverse Culture

Arizona is a hotbed of activity. Bars, restaurants, and breweries are proliferating at an astounding rate. There’s baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and NASCAR. Residents can attend operas, ballets, Broadway shows, and concerts by some of the biggest names in the recording industry.

Taco festivals, film festivals, art festivals, book festivals, rodeos, hot air balloons, botanical gardens, wild west shows, renaissance fairs, not to mention the annual state fair ‒ hardly a week goes by without something fresh and exciting to see.

Learn More About US Migration Patterns

While Arizona was the most popular state to move to in 2022, it certainly wasn’t the only one that succeeded in drawing new residents. Learn which places saw the biggest gains and losses in Allied’s 2022 US Migration Report, and see how America’s moving trends have affected its cities, suburbs, and housing costs.

Moving to Arizona

No matter your destination, Allied gets you there safely. Whether you’re moving to Arizona, Texas, or Tennessee, our agents don’t leave anything to chance. They work closely with customers, creating Personalized Moving Plans that carefully address your needs and concerns, so you can be sure your move happens on time and on budget. Contact us today for a free quote!