Workers looking for new opportunities are flocking to five particular states, a new report has found.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina are attracting the most workers, according to data from the third fiscal quarter of 2023. The report says these states are proving to be a big draw “. because of their strong labor markets, relatively lower living costs and attractive business environments.”

Other states does not benefit from the relocation of workersthe largest exodus taking place in California, which has a net migration rate of minus 18,485, far outpacing second-place Illinois with minus 4,598 in the third quarter of 2023. “High-cost states such as California and New York are seeing net outflows as workers seek more affordable living options without sacrificing career growth,” NAR said in its report.

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Stephanie Alston, president at recruiting firm BGG Enterprises, said Newsweek There are several factors influencing workers’ willingness to up sticks and find new opportunities across the country, away from major employment centers like California.

“States experiencing better economic fortunes, such as Texas or Florida, offer a combination of lower cost of living, competitive wages, less regulationand growing labor markets,” she said Newsweek.

virgin

Virginia enjoyed the biggest boom in worker relocation, with a net migration of 7,191 jobs in the third quarter of 2023.

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A significant portion of these job changers are from across the northern border in Maryland (18 percent) and the District of Columbia (12 percent). Other states contributing to Virginia’s workforce include Florida (8 percent) and Texas (6 percent).

Texas

Texas is not far behind Virginia with 7,036 net immigrants. California is the largest state from which workers come, 12 percent of all movers.as many Californians seek more affordable living options,” followed by Florida (8 percent) and Louisiana (8 percent), as well as Oklahoma (5 percent).

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Numerous notable companies have recently moved some or all of their operations to the Lone Star State, including Elon Muskhis aerospace company SpaceX and the electronics giant Apple.

In August, oil giant Chevron Corporation announced it would also move from California to Texas by the end of this year, CEO Mike Wirth said Wall Street Journal: “We believe that California has a number of policies that drive up costs, that hurt consumers, that discourage investment, and ultimately, we believe that it is not good for the California economy and for consumers.”

Alston said California’s “regulatory environment, business taxes and high personal income tax rates” are all “often cited as reasons for both businesses and workers to leave.”

“Many companies are moving to states like Texas, Tennessee and Florida, which offer no state income tax and a more favorable business climate, creating a domino effect on worker migration patterns.”

Tennessee

Job changers also came to Tennessee, with a net migration rate of 6,295. According to NAR, 12 percent of workers entering the voluntary state inflows are from Georgia, while 10 percent left from Florida.

NAR said “Tennessee’s growing sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and logistics” are to thank. “Areas like Nashville and Memphis have strong job creation, making Tennessee an attractive destination for those changing jobs.”

Georgia and South Carolina

South Carolina’s net migration rate for the same period is 5,992, higher than its neighbor Georgia with 5,006 workers.