Illinois improves on one company’s list for people leaving

Fewer Illinoisans moved out in 2025, according to United Van Lines. Illinois was No. 2 for departures in 2024 and No. 9 last year.

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.

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.

United Van Lines found the top reasons for moving were to be closer to family, followed by job opportunities and retirement.

The state continues to struggle with high taxes and weak job growth compared to other states. While Illinois no longer tops the outbound list for one company’s survey, results are not good for other surveys or for the federal counts.

Illinois is far from a destination of choice, but it should be. High quality of life, opportunities and its central location make Illinois ideal in many ways.

Government leaders can foster those assets and help Illinois grow. They must control government spending, reform public pensions and deliver meaningful property tax and state tax relief.