10 Worst U.S. States to Live in 2026 — Millions Are Leaving

Added: 2026-05-08

[00:00:01]If tomorrow your neighbor suddenly sells their house and leaves, you would think they are looking for a new opportunity.

[00:00:07]But what you should really be asking is how long have they been enduring it?

[00:00:12]Across the United States, a wave of migration is underway. Not loud, not panicked, but extremely clear.

[00:00:21]Places that were once livable have now become burdens, high taxes, expensive housing, poor health care, and an increasingly bleak future.

[00:00:30]The interesting and also concerning thing is that many states still have new people coming in.

[00:00:36]But while newcomers try their luck, long-time residents are the ones leaving.

[00:00:40]That's not growth. That's replacement.

[00:00:43]In the next 20 minutes, you will see 10 states gradually losing their main residents, and the reason behind it is not just money, but an entire system that is turning people away.

[00:00:59]Welcome to New Jersey.

[00:01:01]It sounds absurd, [music] but that's the reality.

[00:01:04]With a median household income of around $99,000, New Jersey is among the wealthiest states in America. But accompanying this is an average property tax of about 2.5%, the highest in the nation, and an average home price of about $569,000.

[00:01:23]In other [music] words, you earn more, but keep less.

[00:01:27]One hand receives the salary, the other hand pays back almost everything.

[00:01:31][music] What drives many people away is not just money.

[00:01:36]It's the feeling of being suffocated.

[00:01:39]New Jersey is the most [music] densely populated state in the US with over 1,200 people per square mile, meaning private space is almost a luxury. You might have a good job, but every day you're stuck on the turnpike, living in an expensive house, and feeling like you're running on a never-ending hamster wheel.

[00:01:58]There is a familiar saying in America, you're working just to stay in place.

[00:02:03]Working just to stay in place.

[00:02:06]And in New Jersey, that statement seems all too true. A thought-provoking point, [music] many people have paid off their homes, yet they still have to pay taxes every year as if they were renting their own homes.

[00:02:17]Do you find that reasonable?

[00:02:19]And here's the twist.

[00:02:21]New Jersey's population is still growing, but most of them are short-term residents, 6 to 9 months, then they leave again.

[00:02:29]Some come to try their luck, while the old ones quietly leave. So, the question [music] is, if such a wealthy place still can't retain people, then where does the real problem lie?

[00:02:39][music] And wait for the next state, once a symbol of America, but now those who believed in it the most are the first to leave.

[00:02:48]The state with the most famous city in the world can't even keep its own residents.

[00:02:53]It sounds like a paradox, but that's New York right now. In 2020, about 67% of the people moving in and out were leaving the state, and that year alone, New York lost nearly 880,000 [music] residents, mostly from New York City.

[00:03:11]>> [music] >> A number large enough to make anyone stop and wonder what's going on. New York once sold a very clear dream.

[00:03:19]If you work hard enough, this city will repay you with opportunities, money, and a place in the big league.

[00:03:25]But now many people are starting to realize that dream comes with increasingly thick bills.

[00:03:31]Rent consumes income taxes, pile on taxes, winters drag on, and a sense of fatigue seeps into every rush hour subway ride. There's a saying Americans often use, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

[00:03:44]But nowadays, more and more people are choosing to make it elsewhere.

[00:03:48]The noteworthy point is that the exodus is not just one group.

[00:03:52]High-income earners are moving to Florida and Texas to keep more of their money.

[00:03:58]Young people are looking for new opportunities in California or developing states. As for the middle class, the ones who keep the city running, they simply do not want to pay Manhattan prices for an increasingly cramped life.

[00:04:10]A familiar image, a small apartment the size of a living room in another state with rent equivalent to a mortgage elsewhere. You can have everything in New York, culture, opportunity, pace of life, but lack the basic space, time, and sometimes the feeling of moving forward. So, the question is, if a city that was once the pinnacle now makes people want to leave, is the problem with the cost or with the dream changing?

[00:04:34]And don't be quick to think that only expensive places lose residents, because right after this is a state where many people can't even leave, even though they really want to.

[00:04:49]If you want to leave, but your bank account says no, then it's no longer a home, it's a trap.

[00:04:55]Mississippi doesn't lose residents as quickly as other states, but the reason makes people think.

[00:05:02]With a median household income of around $53,000 and a poverty rate of 19%, the highest in the United States, many people simply cannot afford to leave.

[00:05:15]Moving also requires money, and for many families, that is a luxury they do not have. Notably, among those who can leave, as many as 71% do so for work, not because of the weather, not because of lifestyle, but because they need a real opportunity.

[00:05:31]That says one thing.

[00:05:33]The problem in Mississippi is not about preferences, but about the foundation. But the story doesn't stop at the economy.

[00:05:40]Mississippi also ranks at the bottom of the health rankings, high obesity and smoking rates, and an average life expectancy of only about 74.6 years.

[00:05:51]A number that is not just a statistic, but a warning.

[00:05:55]When health deteriorates, medical costs increase, job opportunities decrease, the spiral begins to tighten. Do you find this pattern familiar?

[00:06:04]Young people leave to find jobs leads to birth rates decline leads to the population ages leads to the workforce shrinks leads to businesses don't come leads to opportunities decrease even more.

[00:06:20]A loop with almost no pause button.

[00:06:23]There's a saying Americans often use, it's expensive to be poor.

[00:06:28]Being poor is even more expensive.

[00:06:30]And in Mississippi, this is not only true, but it repeats itself every day. The question is, if you were born in a place like that, would you try to stay and make a change, or find a way to leave as soon as possible?

[00:06:44]And if you think this is the story of only the poor states, wait until the next state, where the exterior looks rich and beautiful, but inside, it is more deeply divided than you think.

[00:07:00]A morning in Connecticut on this side, are the seaside mansions, luxury cars parked in front, hedge fund managers starting their day with coffee and the stock market. But just a drive of less than an hour, you will see Hartford, where the poverty rate exceeds 28%, stores close early, and many families live paycheck to paycheck.

[00:07:21]The same state, but like two parallel Americas.

[00:07:25]Did you know that over 63% of the moves in Connecticut are people leaving, not because it's bad, but because it's too expensive for what it offers. For decades, Connecticut sold a very clear promise, you pay a high price, but in return, you get great opportunities, stable jobs, and a location near New York.

[00:07:45]But then everything changed. Remote work emerged, and suddenly, you no longer need to live here to keep that salary.

[00:07:52]The question now is no longer how much do I earn, but rather, how much do I have to pay to stay here?

[00:08:00]Not stopping there, the middle class, the ones who keep the economy running, are the group that leaves the most.

[00:08:06]They are not as wealthy as Stamford to not care about costs, but not poor enough to receive assistance.

[00:08:12]They are in the middle and being squeezed in the middle. There is a familiar saying, the middle gets squeezed. The middle class is always the one being squeezed the hardest.

[00:08:23]In Connecticut, this is more evident than ever.

[00:08:26]You can live here, see the wealth around you, but never touch it. A very American feeling, but also very tiring.

[00:08:33]So many people choose North Carolina, Colorado, places that are not perfect, but at least feel more worth it. And if a place that once represented stability now makes people want to leave, how many other states are quietly following that path?

[00:08:48]In the next part, we will talk about a place that was once the lifestyle dream of an entire generation, until the price became too high to continue believing in.

[00:09:00]There was a time when Oregon was an irresistible invitation, green forests, snowy mountains, fresh air, and a lifestyle free from the grind.

[00:09:10]People moved here to find balance between nature and the city, between work and life.

[00:09:15]But now more and more people are realizing, beautiful scenery doesn't pay the bills.

[00:09:21]For the first time in over 30 years of continuous growth, Oregon's population began to decline by about 0.1% during the 2021 to 2023 period.

[00:09:32]A small number, but a very significant signal.

[00:09:36]And behind it lies a question, what causes a once coveted place to start losing people? The answer starts with the cost of living.

[00:09:45]The average house price is around $500,000, and for many families, the dream of living close to nature is gradually turning into a financial burden.

[00:09:55]You can look out at the forest every morning.

[00:09:58]But you also have to look at the bills every evening. But money isn't everything.

[00:10:03]Portland.

[00:10:05]The heart of the state is struggling with homelessness, addiction issues, and urban pressure.

[00:10:10]Not everything is falling apart, but enough for the residents to feel that the quality of life is no longer what it used to be.

[00:10:18]And when that feeling lingers, it begins to erode the decision to stay. There's a saying that Americans often use, "It's not what it used to be. It's not what it used to be anymore."

[00:10:28]And for many people in Oregon, that is the common sentiment.

[00:10:32]The twist here is those with money can still enjoy the scenery, buy houses in quiet neighborhoods, and avoid the issues.

[00:10:39]But for the middle class, they are paying for a version of Oregon that no longer matches the advertisement. You can still walk in the woods, drink craft beer, and enjoy the fresh air.

[00:10:49]But the question is, are you willing to pay that price for a life that is becoming increasingly less breathable?

[00:10:56]So many people are starting to move to Colorado, Arizona. Not perfect, but seems more balanced at this time.

[00:11:02]But if you think Oregon is expensive, then the next state will make you look at the concept of expensive in a completely different way.

[00:11:11]A place tourists call paradise.

[00:11:14]The locals call the bill.

[00:11:16]Hawaii always appears in the most beautiful postcards of America. Blue seas, white sands, and golden sunshine year round.

[00:11:24]But behind that picturesque frame lies a very different reality. A place where the cost of living is so high that many locals can no longer afford to stay. In just 1 year, Hawaii lost a net of about 14,000 people moving to the mainland.

[00:11:40]Not because they don't love this place, but because they can't continue to pay for it.

[00:11:45]The reason is very simple, but also very hard to change. Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

[00:11:52]Almost everything from milk, gasoline to building materials has to be transported thousands of miles, and those costs ultimately end up on your bill.

[00:12:02]The salary might look fine on paper, but when you go to the supermarket and feel like you're paying for a car every month, everything starts to go off balance.

[00:12:11]There's a saying Americans often use, "Paradise isn't cheap. Paradise isn't cheap." But in Hawaii, it's not just expensive. It's also difficult for most people to access. The second twist lies in the mentality.

[00:12:27]Many people from the mainland move here with the dream of an aloha lifestyle.

[00:12:32]They imagine a slow-paced life close to the sea, far from pressure.

[00:12:37]But after a few years, reality began to set in. The distance from family, limited career opportunities, and the feeling of isolation in the middle of the ocean. A very stark contrast. In the morning, you can look out at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

[00:12:52]But in the evening, you sit down to calculate whether you have enough money to cover the expenses for the month.

[00:12:59]And the question arises, if a place is so beautiful that everyone wants to visit, but it can't retain its own residents, is that beauty truly worth living in?

[00:13:07]Hawaii can be a wonderful place to visit, but living there long-term is a completely different story. And if you think Hawaii is the peak of not being able to retain people, then wait until the next state where they even pay you to stay.

[00:13:22]But people still leave.

[00:13:26]When a state has to pay you to live there, and you still leave, maybe the problem isn't with the check. Alaska is one of the few places in the US where residents actually receive money each year from the oil fund, sometimes more than $1,000 per person.

[00:13:41]It sounds like a too good to be true deal, but the reality tells a different story.

[00:13:46]The population of this state peaked at around 740,000 people in 2016, then began to stagnate and decline as the oil industry weakened. The irony is that you can be paid to live in Alaska, but more and more people are still choosing to leave.

[00:14:04]Why?

[00:14:06]Because money cannot compensate for more basic things.

[00:14:09]Sunlight, social connections, and the feeling of not being separated from the rest of the world. Winter in Alaska is not only cold, but also long, dark, and silent.

[00:14:19]There are days when you leave home while it's still dark and return when it's still dark.

[00:14:24]Over time, this not only affects the daily schedule, but also impacts the spirit. The issue is not just the weather, but also the economy.

[00:14:33]Alaska used to rely heavily on oil and gas, an industry that provided stable jobs and good income.

[00:14:40]But as this industry weakened, opportunities decreased as well.

[00:14:44]And when the backbone jobs disappear, other things start to wobble, too. There is a very vivid image. You can stand amidst the vast nature, the fresh air so crisp it takes your breath away.

[00:14:56]But you can also feel like you are very far from everything. Familiar family opportunities, the rhythm of life.

[00:15:03]So it's no surprise that many people, especially those who come for short-term work, don't stay long.

[00:15:09]They come, experience, then leave.

[00:15:13]And if a place has to pay people to stay, but still can't keep them, what really makes people stay? But Alaska is not even the most exceptional case.

[00:15:23]In the next state, another issue will emerge, where people leave not because of distance, but for closer things, jobs, health, and long-term futures.

[00:15:35]More than 70% of people leaving Louisiana do so to find work, not for vacation, not for a lifestyle change, but to make a living. That's a data shock enough for you to understand where the problem lies.

[00:15:48]Louisiana once thrived thanks to oil and gas, an industry that provided stable jobs, enough wages to support families, and a sense of long-term security.

[00:15:58]But when that industry stagnated, the entire economic foundation began to shake. This is a point worth considering.

[00:16:05]Tourism in New Orleans is still bustling. Music is still resonating.

[00:16:11]Restaurants are still open.

[00:16:13]But service jobs cannot replace the technical and industrial positions that were once the backbone of the middle class.

[00:16:20]On one side is jazz festivals and cuisine.

[00:16:25]On the other side are bills, insurance, and an uncertain future. There's a very American saying, "You can't build a future on tips. You can't build a future just on tips."

[00:16:37]And that is exactly how many people in Louisiana feel right now.

[00:16:41]The second twist lies in health.

[00:16:43]Louisiana ranks near the bottom of the health care system rankings with high rates of smoking, obesity, and limited access to care.

[00:16:52]When health is poor, medical costs increase, productivity decreases, and opportunities become even more distant.

[00:17:00]A familiar loop begins to form. Fewer good jobs leads to skilled people leave leads to a weaker economy leads to fewer opportunities leads to more people leave.

[00:17:11]You can see it in very everyday decisions. A young family choosing Tennessee or North Carolina because of better schools, closer hospitals, and more stable jobs.

[00:17:22]It's not that they don't love Louisiana.

[00:17:24]They just can't build a future there. A very clear contrasting image in the evening. You can listen to live jazz, enjoy a wonderful gumbo.

[00:17:33]But the next morning, you still have to worry about whether your job will still be there in 5 years. So, the question is, if a place has strong culture, history, and identity, but cannot retain economic opportunities, what will keep people there?

[00:17:48]And if you think this is an issue for states dependent on old industries, then wait for the next state where people are not leaving due to lack of money, but because they feel they are paying too much for too little in return.

[00:18:04]About 66% of the moves in Illinois are people leaving the state.

[00:18:09]When 2/3 of the migration flow is one way, it's no longer a trend. It's a warning sign.

[00:18:16]Illinois is not a poor state, not a place lacking opportunities, but the problem lies elsewhere. The feeling of paying too much and getting too little in return.

[00:18:27]The average property tax is around 2.16% among the highest in the United States.

[00:18:34]And that's just part of the story. The wow factor here is nearly half of Illinois residents have considered leaving.

[00:18:40]Not everyone acted on it, but the thought existed. And when the thought spreads, it becomes a collective mentality.

[00:18:48]It's not just about taxes. That is the belief. When people contribute more each year, they expect the quality of life opportunities and public services to also improve.

[00:18:59]But if the actual feeling doesn't keep up, doubt starts to emerge. Many people think the main reason is crime, especially in Chicago.

[00:19:08]But in reality, crime is not at the top of the reasons people are leaving.

[00:19:12]It only ranks somewhere in the middle of the list.

[00:19:15]What drives people away are the quieter things. Taxes, opportunities, and the feeling of an unclear future. Retirees sell their homes, move to Florida to breathe easier.

[00:19:26]Young workers are looking for Texas, North Carolina places where they feel their efforts are more valued.

[00:19:33]Businesses, too. They are looking for a less burdensome environment. And when taxpayers leave, the story becomes more complicated. The remaining burden falls on those who stay.

[00:19:43]A silent, yet very real downward spiral.

[00:19:47]You can love Chicago, a city with history, architecture, and culture. But is that love enough to keep you here if every year you feel like you're struggling more? Question for you.

[00:19:57]Will you stay and wait for things to get better or go to a place where you feel you have a better chance of controlling your future?

[00:20:05]And now we come to the number one position where not only are they losing their citizens, but they are also losing those who could change its destiny.

[00:20:16]One afternoon in West Virginia, the small road running through the old town, a few shops long close the schoolyard quieter than before.

[00:20:24]And the nearest hospital a few more miles away than the townspeople remember.

[00:20:28]No noise, no loud crises, just a prolonged silence.

[00:20:33]And sometimes that very silence is the most concerning. West Virginia is the fastest shrinking state in the United States with a population decline of nearly 0.7% in just 1 year.

[00:20:46]The median household income is only about $54,600, the second lowest in the nation, and the poverty rate is around 18%.

[00:20:57]These numbers don't just speak about the economy. They speak about the direction of an entire generation. The story begins with the coal industry, once the backbone of the state.

[00:21:07]When this industry weakened, stable jobs disappeared leading to a wave of young people leaving.

[00:21:13]And when the young people leave, they take the future with them, families, children, and the workforce. The second twist lies in a very hard to break cycle. Young people leave leads to birth rates decline, leads to the population ages, leads to schools have fewer students, leads to businesses don't come, health care services shrink. Those who remain feel even less reason to stay.

[00:21:37]A very real image those who remain are often older, less healthy, and have fewer choices.

[00:21:43]Meanwhile, those who had the power to change the situation left a long time ago. But, the thought-provoking thing is West Virginia is not lacking in identity, not lacking in community.

[00:21:56]What they lack is a new engine to replace the old one that is gone.

[00:22:01]So, the question for you is, if you were born in a place like that, would you stay to rebuild from scratch or move to a place where the foundation is already laid?

[00:22:11]And that is also the bigger question for the entire list.

[00:22:15]Can these states renew themselves or will the wave of departure continue to quietly persist? If you look back at the entire list, one thing is quite clear. No state is bad in the same way.

[00:22:28]Some places are too expensive, some lack opportunities, and some are left behind as old industries decline.

[00:22:34]But they all have one thing in common.

[00:22:37]People are starting to feel that life there is no longer worth the price they have to pay. And the most thought-provoking thing is not whether the population is increasing or decreasing, but who is leaving.

[00:22:49]When young people, skilled workers, and even families who have been long-term residents start to leave, it is no longer a short-term trend. That is a signal of a deeper change in how Americans perceive livable places.

[00:23:03]There is a well-known saying, you can vote with your feet.

[00:23:07]And clearly millions of Americans are doing just that. Now, I want to hear from you.

[00:23:13]Are you living in one of these states?

[00:23:15]If so, do you find what we're saying to be true in your reality?

[00:23:19]Or if you have ever left, what was the last straw that made you decide to leave that place?

[00:23:24]Share your experiences in the comments because sometimes real stories speak more than just numbers. If you like this kind of analysis, not just looking at the surface, but delving into what is really happening behind the scenes, please hit subscribe.

[00:23:39]Every day I will decode with you the major changes happening in the United States from economic and social aspects to very everyday decisions like where to live. This video is based on public data research and recent migration trends combined with an analytical perspective.

[00:23:57]The content is for reference purposes only and is not intended to target any specific individual community or locality. Each state has its own strengths and the living experience can vary from person to person.

[00:24:10]The goal here is not to say which place is good or bad, but to help you understand better so you can make a choice that suits your own life.

[00:24:19]Thank you for watching until the end.

[00:24:21]See you in the next videos.