Idaho is no longer one of the top destinations for movers, according to search data
In recent years, Idaho has been among the national leaders in the number of new residents moving in.
But that growth is slowing, according to a new report from moveBuddha that analyzed search data from 2022.
MoveBuddha used its Moving Cost Calculator to capture 298,566 searches from Jan. 1 through Sept. 6 on people across the country planning to move themselves or hire a moving company.
The moving calculator asks users what city, state or zip code they’re moving from and where they’re going, as well as how much stuff they’re moving and on what date. MoveBuddha uses the tool to create an in-to-out ratio: the number of queries for people moving in divided by the number of queries for people moving out.
Idaho ranked No. 3 in the nation in 2020 for people searching to relocate, with 320 moves in for every 100 out, based on previous search data. This year, the state dropped to the No. 20 spot. The ratio is now 123 moves in for every 100 out.
MoveBuddha, a technology company based in Athens, Georgia, that helps people relocate, called it “the most profound decrease of inflow of any state in the nation.”
Since the surge of new residents to the state in 2020, the company said growth has dramatically slowed. But Idaho is still a popular destination for people moving from neighboring states.
To no one’s surprise, California is responsible for a third of the move-in searches in 2022 so far. Washington accounts for just over 10%. Arizona, Texas and Oregon are each responsible for around 6% of move-in searches to Idaho.
Idaho has a population of nearly 1.9 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
What cities are new residents searching for?
Boise, the largest city in the state, is no longer the No. 1 destination for people looking to move to Idaho, according to moveBuddha’s in-to-out ratios.
That honor goes to Coeur d’Alene. Eagle locked in at No. 2, Twin Falls at No. 3, Lewiston at No. 4 and Boise at No. 5.
Three cities in the report had negative inflow-to-outflow ratios, including Rexburg, Caldwell and Idaho Falls.
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
