East Coast vs West Coast: Moving Statistics

More than 30 million US citizens relocate every given year. While you may think that you are all alone when facing the chaos of relocation, the fact of the matter is that you are but one of the many. A question then imposes itself – Where are all these people moving from and where are they moving to? Most people are looking at East Coast vs West Coast options and are simply trying to make a better life for themselves. At Best Cross Country Movers, it is our job to deliver these statistics to you, so you can make the best decision on where to relocate. With that in mind, we have prepared some moving statistics for you to look at, as well as a breakdown of some of the most popular states to relocate from/to.

Moving Statistics can help you find the ideal home

If you have just realized that relocating your home to a new location is in your best interest, you will want to carefully plan out your relocation. The first thing that is on your proverbial plate is to choose a quality moving company for the occasion. Start by looking at the moving companies from your own state. For example, if you are relocating from Florida, you will want to look into some of the best cross country moving companies in Florida. But, as every relocation is quite unique, you will also want to gather as much information as you can. Whatever your reason for relocating might be (finding a better home, getting closer to work, family reasons, etc.) knowing more about East Coast vs West Coast will help you find the ideal place for you and your family.

Most common reasons for moving

There are about a million different reasons why one might choose to relocate their home or office to another place. But some reasons are simply universal and are more prevalent than others. Here are some of the most common reasons why Americans relocate their household or office:

  • Finding a better home – 16.5%
  • Being closer to work – 5/6%
  • Family reasons – 11%
  • Cheaper housing – 8%
  • Buying a new home – 7.3%
  • Changing marital status – 4.5%
  • Attending/leaving college – 3%
  • Establishing a family – 12.5%
  • Job transfer – 10.4%
  • Looking for a safer neighborhood – 2.7%
  • Other reasons – 8.5%
person working on a laptop
Many digital nomads choose to work in warmer climates.

Another thing to note is that the choice of your moving company can significantly impact your overall moving experience. Thus, if you are moving from New Jersey, for example, you will want to make sure that you are working with one of the best cross country movers New Jersey has to offer. But moving from one place to another is a lot more complicated than simply choosing the ideal mover.

Things you may want to consider when deciding on an ideal place to relocate to

It is in your best interest to take your relocation very seriously, and compare the following statistics when comparing East Coast vs West Coast:

  • Job market – Even if you already have a job lined up at your new state, it is vital that you spend some time analyzing the overall job market. You never know if/when you will need to change jobs and knowing what your opportunities are will make that a lot easier.
  • Safety – This is one of the most important factors when choosing a new home. You want to ensure that your home or office is located in a safe neighborhood, first and foremost. And for that, you will want to find out more about the crime rates in the area, as well as the most common crimes.
  • Location – As you may already be aware, location is just about the most important thing when it comes to housing. It dictates the price, the amenities, the schools in the area, and many more factors that can contribute to a better life. If you are relocating with a family, for example, you will want to find an area that has highly-rated schools, as well as plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities.
  • Expenses – While all the other factors might be excellent, moving to an area you simply can’t afford is never a good decision. Aside from planning the relocation budget, you need to make sure that you can afford to hire cross country movers in Virginia, for example, and still have enough to deal with the day-to-day expenses in your new state. In other words, make sure that you know exactly what you will be getting yourself into.

East Coast vs West Coast – What are the differences?

To really know the difference between East Coast and West Coast, you need to know about the pros and cons of living in either area. With this in mind, we have prepared a breakdown of all the advantages and disadvantages that come with these locations. Before you start looking for cross country moving companies in Georgia, for example, you will want to know as much as you can about your new state. But before we get to the pros and cons, here are some additional moving statistics that pertain to both the East and the West Coast:

  • 82.7% of Americans move within their home state
  • 13.4% move to a different state
  • 3.9% move to a different country

As you can see, most people choose to relocate within the same state, with a small percentage choosing to make a more drastic change. Keep in mind that no matter how great one place might be, there will always be some disadvantages to it. Every person is unique and has their own preferences, after all. For example, if you are intolerant to high temperatures, you might want to avoid moving to Florida or a state that experiences heat on a regular basis.

a beach
Some people love beaches, others love urban environments.

If you want a temperate summer climate, it might be in your best interest to consider hiring one of the best cross country movers in Maryland, as the state has a rather high summer comfort index. What we’re saying is that you need to consider your own situation and preferences and then make the best decision. Knowing the pros and cons of each area will help you with making the right choice, as well.

Pros and cons of living on the West Coast

Most people link West Coast to California, but it is much more than that. Cities such as Portland, Seatle, and pretty much the entire Pacific Northwest are definitely worthy of your attention. The region has a unique charm to it that captivates residents, tourists, and visitors alike.

Pros

The main benefit of living on the West Coast is its relaxed lifestyle. West Coast is all about enjoying your life to the fullest, spending your time on gorgeous beaches, and enjoying the sunny weather. But there is a lot more to the region than simply beaches and the sun. For example, you will have one of the best party places on the planet, Hollywood, within easy reach. You might even get the chance to see your favorite actress in person!

Most people choose to relocate to the state of California, as it is the first thing that comes to mind when West Coast is mentioned. This is why cross country moving companies in California are usually quite busy during the summer. For this reason, you may want to schedule your relocation a couple of months in advance.

Some studies also show that living on the West Coast leads to a healthier and happier lifestyle. There is less stress and people generally think about how to improve the quality of their life instead of how to get the next promotion. And the beautiful ocean sunsets do not hurt, either.

Cons

The main disadvantage of a laidback lifestyle is that it is simply not for everyone. If you are one of those people who like to “get the job done” in an efficient manner, you might get quite annoyed at individuals who are taking it easy. Furthermore, even though West Coast is generally known to have plenty of sunshine, if you are looking to relocate to one of the northern parts, you will soon realize that is not the case.

person enjoying a laid-back lifestyle, symbolizing the main difference in East Coast vs West Coast
Some people enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, others, not so much.

It may be a better idea to look for one of the best cross country moving companies in Washington instead. You also need to realize that West Coast is, on average, a lot more expensive than the East Coast. Thus, planning your moving budget and expenses needs to be done with the utmost care. To make the relocation easier on the budget, you will want to get as many moving quotes as possible and find the best deal before you commit.

Pros and cons of living on the East Coast

The first city that comes to mind when mentioning East Coast is NYC. One of the most popular, if not the most popular, cities on the planet, is a marvel of architecture and is absolutely brimming with American history. But there is a lot more to East Coast than the city of New York, and there are numerous advantages of living in the region, as well as some disadvantages.

Pros

The first thing that you will notice when moving to East Coast is that its cities are much more compact than those on West Coast. The aforementioned New York City is so well organized, in fact, that you can simply take the subway and get to any part of the city within the hour. Another great example of a great organization is the city of Seattle. As almost all cross country movers in Seattle can evidence, getting around the city is easy due to the extreme variety of transportation options. You will never wonder how to get from one place to another.

Another great thing about the East Coast is how you can get into contact with pretty much all the cultures the world has to offer. NYC, for example, is a true cultural melting pot, and all the other major cities such as Portland, Seattle, Oregon, and Washington, are the same. Of course, no city on the planet can hold a candle to NYC’s cultural attractions and diversity.

a subway sign, representing transportation in East Coast vs West Coast battle
All major cities on the East Coast have excellent transportation structures.

Cons

Similar to how a laid-back lifestyle was a big pro for the West Coast, a fast-paced, often hectic lifestyle is the most important drawback of the East Coast. People seem to always be running from one place to another, hastily crossing items off their checklists. Needless to say, this lifestyle can be very draining and potentially even overwhelming. If you are a laid-back person, who enjoys taking things slowly, you might want to hire one of the best cross country movers in Portland, for example, and relocate to the West Coast.

Lastly, you need to be aware that weather on the East Coast can be quite challenging. NYC, for example, features very harsh winters and some other cities can have unbearably hot summers. Make sure that you research the weather conditions in your new hometown before making the final decision.

Most popular states to relocate to

The fact of the matter is that when it comes to East Coast vs West Coast, it is pretty much a tie. Both regions have their ups and downs and choosing the best one comes down to personal preference. That being said, there are still states and cities that experience a larger number of relocations, such as:

  • Florida
  • New York
  • California
  • North Carolina
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Arizona
  • Georgia
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

As you can see, both East and West Coasts are more or less equally represented, with East Coast being slightly ahead.

Whether you choose the East or West Coast for your new home, you can count on Best Cross Country Movers to help you get there!

No matter what your decision on East Coast vs West Coast might be, undergoing a long-distance relocation can be a very challenging process. To ensure that you have the best chances of success, you will want to work with one of the best cross country moving companies in the country. And the easiest way to make sure that you are is to get in touch with reliable interstate movers. We will help you find the ideal moving partner and relocate without any worries!

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