Alabama is listed as the 8th most popular destination for movers in the United States, according to a company that understands who moves where.

for that 47^th yearlyNational moving company survey” United Van Lines showed a 60% inbound migration rate to Alabama over the past year. According to the company, many migrants are moving to reduce their overall cost of living.

“Americans continue to move to more affordable and less densely populated areas across the country, many in the South,” said Eilee Cummings, vice president of corporate communications for United Van Lines. “We're heading to the states,” he said.

“As factors such as home prices, local climate, urban planning, and job growth continue to drive relocation, movers are also planning more strategically.”

RELATED: U-Haul ranks Alabama 22nd for most people moving into the state

Michael A. Stoll, an economist and professor at the School of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, pointed to key factors believed to be influencing current inbound tourism trends.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced moving decisions, with 2020 accelerating existing moving patterns, driven primarily by opportunities to work remotely, a desire to be closer to family, and more affordable It was driven by price,” Stoll said. “Some Americans may be facing economic uncertainty, coupled with rising costs of living and a lack of affordable housing. This may cause adjustments to travel schedules or Instead of crossing the border, people could move between states.”

The states with the most inbound activity in 2023 are:

1. vermont state
2. Washington DC
3. south carolina
4. arkansas
5. rhode island
6. north carolina
7. south dakota
8. Alabama
9. new mexico
10. west virginia

Two new states made this year's top 10 list: Arkansas and West Virginia. Arkansas moved up from No. 18 on the list in 2022 to No. 4 in 2023, and West Virginia moved up from No. 13 in 2022 to No. 10.

The survey found that the top motivations for moving, such as wanting to be closer to family (27%) and retirement (14%), were higher than other important factors related to location preferences and cost of living. As a result, it has also become clear that the number has decreased compared to 2022. and affordable housing.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.