- A recent study identified the top US cities that people should move out of but aren’t by analyzing factors such as personal income, crime level, air quality index, unemployment rates, searches for “Moving out of [city],” population change from 2020 to 2024 as well as the cost of living index.
- Camden, New Jersey, tops the ranking with the highest crime level at 87.5 and the second-highest unemployment rate as of July at 4.7%.
- Cleveland, Ohio, had the most population decrease from 2020 to 2024, reaching 10,199.
- Springfield, Massachusetts, has the highest cost of living index at 148.4.
A new study by Rocket Moving examined all 50 states and their cities, using seven key factors to identify why residents should consider moving out. The analysis considered annual personal income, crime rates, air quality, unemployment, population change, cost of living, and Google searches for “moving out.” Each factor was weighted based on its perceived impact, with crime rates and population change given the highest importance. The composite score for each city was calculated by multiplying the standardized values by their respective weights and scaling them from 0 to 100 using Min-Max scaling. The final rankings reveal the cities where residents are most likely to consider leaving based on financial, social, environmental, and public sentiment factors.
| State | City | Personal Income | Level of crime | Air Quality Index | Unemployment Rates as of July (%) | Searches for “Moving out of [city]” | Population Change from 2020 to 2024 | Cost of Living Index | Composite score |
| New Jersey | Camden | 767,174 | 87.50 | 52 | 4.70 | 140,000 | 53 | 114.1 | 100.0 |
| Ohio | Cleveland | 731,787 | 73.77 | 75 | 4.50 | 152,600 | -10,199 | 94.0 | 98.5 |
| Illinois | Rockford | 911,804 | 82.09 | 55 | 5.20 | 200,200 | -1,019 | 90.8 | 98.3 |
| California | Stockton | 3,218,470 | 84.91 | 46 | 4.90 | 487,200 | -172 | 134.5 | 97.8 |
| Missouri | St. Louis | 390,378 | 84.32 | 59 | 3.80 | 96,600 | -7,186 | 88.4 | 95.4 |
| Colorado | Pueblo | 478,444 | 75.09 | 17 | 3.90 | 175,000 | -23 | 105.5 | 95.0 |
| Hawaii | Honolulu | 96,950 | 51.63 | 42 | 2.90 | 37,800 | -9,017 | 179.0 | 94.7 |
| Georgia | Macon | 668,464 | 86.23 | 42 | 3.40 | 217,000 | -3,364 | 91.0 | 92.5 |
| Maryland | Baltimore | 469,899 | 86.84 | 56 | 2.80 | 96,600 | -6,659 | 119.5 | 92.1 |
| Massachusetts | Springfield | 628,992 | 85.82 | 48 | 3.50 | 96,600 | 649 | 148.4 | 91.4 |
Camden, New Jersey, ranks first with a composite score of 100. The city’s high crime level of 87.5 is the most concerning among all cities analyzed, combined with the third-highest unemployment rate at 4.7%. Despite these factors, Camden experienced a slight population increase of 53 people from 2020 to 2024, one of the smallest but still noteworthy given the otherwise negative indicators.
Cleveland, Ohio, comes in second with a composite score of 98.5. Cleveland had the most substantial population decline of 10,199 residents from 2020 to 2024, highlighting a trend of out-migration likely due to its economic and social conditions. It also has a moderate personal income level of $731,787, which, combined with a high level of crime (73.77), indicates a high economic hardship and safety concerns pushing people away.
Rockford, Illinois, takes third place with a composite score of 98.3, just slightly behind Cleveland. It shows a high crime rate of 82.09 and the highest unemployment rate among the cities at 5.2%. Additionally, Rockford has a relatively high number of Google searches for “moving out,” at 200,200, the second-highest on the list, which shows the residents’ inclination to move out of the city.
Stockton, California, ranks fourth with a composite score of 97.8, primarily driven by the highest number of searches for “moving out” at 487,200. While Stockton has a higher personal income level of $3,218,470 compared to other cities on the list, it still struggles with a high crime rate of 84.91 and a high cost of living index of 134.5.
St. Louis, Missouri, places fifth with a score of 95.4. It shares similar crime levels with Stockton at 84.32 but has a comparatively lower unemployment rate of 3.8%. Despite this, the city experienced a significant population decrease of 7,186 people, highlighting a consistent trend of residents choosing to relocate, likely due to ongoing social challenges and moderate economic conditions.
Pueblo, Colorado, ranks sixth with a score of 95. Despite having the lowest air quality index at 17, indicating good air quality, Pueblo faces other challenges, including a high crime rate of 75.09 and a declining population, with 23 fewer residents than in 2020. This mix of positive and negative factors places Pueblo in the middle of the list.
Honolulu, Hawaii, comes in seventh with a score of 94.7. Despite having the lowest crime level (51.63) and the best unemployment rate (2.9%), Honolulu has the highest cost of living index at 179.0. Additionally, the city saw a notable population decline of 9,017, suggesting that economic barriers push residents to leave even with favorable social conditions.
Macon, Georgia, follows in eighth place with a composite score of 92.5. Macon faces one of the highest crime rates at 86.23 and has a relatively high number of searches for “moving out,” indicating significant concerns about safety and satisfaction among residents. However, the city has a moderate population decrease of 3,364, less than in many other cities on the list.
Baltimore, Maryland, ranks ninth with a score of 92.1. Baltimore has the second-highest crime level at 86.84 and a moderately low unemployment rate of 2.8%, the lowest among the cities analyzed. Despite the relatively stable job market, the city has experienced a population decline of 6,659, reflecting continued concerns about crime and quality of life.
Finally, Springfield, Massachusetts, rounds out the top ten with a composite score of 91.4. Springfield has the highest cost of living index of 148.4, making it the least affordable city on the list. However, it stands out for having a slight population increase of 649 people, suggesting that while living costs are high, other factors may be drawing or retaining residents.
A spokesperson from Rocket Moving commented on the study: ” High crime rates and unemployment offer obvious reasons for moving to some areas, but factors like community ties or affordable housing may keep people in place. Cities facing sharp population declines could benefit from targeted policies or investments to enhance economic opportunities or revitalize urban spaces. Meanwhile, places with high living costs might explore strategies to balance affordability with quality of life to retain their populations. These insights point to the need for tailored approaches that address the factors pushing people to leave and those encouraging them to stay, ultimately creating more resilient urban environments.”
To access the complete research, please follow the link.
