Exodus Slows?

According to one moving company, it looks like everyone who could afford to leave has exited:

• United Van Lines said Illinois dropped on its list of states ranked by residents packing up and moving out – the first time in a decade Illinois didn’t take one of its top spots.

From first place to ninth.

Other moving companies tell a different story:

• Other moving companies and the U.S. Census reported different results.

  Atlas Van Lines found 54% of its clients were moving out of Illinois rather than in during 2025. Allied Van Lines showed a 58% outbound rate for 2025, ranking Illinois No. 1 for losing people. Census estimates showed over 40,000 Illinoisans leaving for the year ending June 2025, with 82,900 leaving in 2024 – 95% for lower-tax states.

  The United Van Lines study ranks the percentage of those moving out versus those moving in. Illinois was considered “balanced” in 2025, meaning there wasn’t a big gap between inbound and outbound moves.

  Of everyone moving in or out of Illinois, less than 55% were moving out, according to the study. Just a year ago, nearly 60% of Illinois moves were people leaving the state, the second-highest rate behind New Jersey.

Maybe Atlas is just cheaper?