Skip to content
  • Students & Alumni
    • Career Services
    • Alumni Relations
    • Student Support
    • Graduate Resource Library
    • For Employers
  • News
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Luskin Summit
    • Luskin Lecture Series
    • California Policy Briefing
    • Commencement
  • Students & Alumni
    • Career Services
    • Alumni Relations
    • Student Support
    • Graduate Resource Library
    • For Employers
  • News
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Luskin Summit
    • Luskin Lecture Series
    • California Policy Briefing
    • Commencement
Giving
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Logo
  • Academics
    Departments & Programs
    • Global Public Affairs
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Global Public Affairs
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    • Undergraduate Program
    Graduate Degrees
    • Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA)
    • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
    • Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
    • Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
    • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
    • PhD in Social Welfare
    • PhD in Urban Planning
    • Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA)
    • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
    • Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
    • Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
    • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
    • PhD in Social Welfare
    • PhD in Urban Planning
    Undergraduate Degrees
    • BA in Public Affairs
    • Minor in Urban and Regional Studies
    • Minor in Gerontology
    • Minor in Public Affairs
    • BA in Public Affairs
    • Minor in Urban and Regional Studies
    • Minor in Gerontology
    • Minor in Public Affairs
    Professional Certificates
    • AI in Public Affairs Certificate
    • AI in Public Affairs Certificate
  • Admissions
    Program Specific Admissions
    • Global Public Affairs
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Global Public Affairs
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    • Undergraduate Program
  • Faculty
    Our Faculty
    • All Faculty
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    • All Faculty
    • Public Policy
    • Real Estate Development
    • Social Welfare
    • Urban Planning
    Leadership
    • Our Dean
    • Board of Advisors
    • Faculty Executive Committee
    • Our Dean
    • Board of Advisors
    • Faculty Executive Committee
  • Research Centers
    • Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL)

      Empowers stakeholders with data to make informed decisions for children, families, and communities.

    • Berggruen Governance Index

      Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

    • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

      Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

    • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

      Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

    • Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL)

      Empowers stakeholders with data to make informed decisions for children, families, and communities.

    • Berggruen Governance Index

      Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

    • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

      Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

    • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

      Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

    • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

      Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

    • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

      Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

    • Latin American Cities Initiative

      Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

    • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

      Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

    • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

      Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

    • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

      Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

    • Latin American Cities Initiative

      Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

    • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

      Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

    • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

      Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

    • Los Angeles Education Research Institute (LAERI)

      Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

    • Luskin Center for Innovation

      Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

    • UCLA Voting Rights Project

      The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

    • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

      Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

    • Los Angeles Education Research Institute (LAERI)

      Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

    • Luskin Center for Innovation

      Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

    • UCLA Voting Rights Project

      The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

    All Research Centers
  • Outcomes
Home / News / Stoll on the Factors Influencing Migration Patterns within the U.S.

Stoll on the Factors Influencing Migration Patterns within the U.S.

Posted in

  • Luskin in the News

Published on

  • January 9, 2026
  • affordability, COVID-19, family, geography, migration

Share this Article

Moving is a common experience for the average American, with most moving approximately 11 to 12 times over the course of their lifetimes. The experience of relocation is often demanding, with the average cost of moving ranging from $1,200 to $6,868, depending on the distance. 

According to the 49th Annual National Movers Study conducted by United Van Lines, migration patterns were found to be influenced by several factors, most commonly proximity to family and the job market. Remote work and geography also impacted these patterns, with people typically moving from the colder areas in the north and midwestern United States to the warmer southern states. 

“This reflects a legacy of COVID-era preferences for lower-density living, combined with the reality that housing costs continue to drive people toward more affordable regions,” said Professor of Public Policy and Urban Planning Michael Stoll in a recent article by Merced Sun-Star. 

Moving companies are predicting migration patterns in the following year, and believe that there will be movement towards mid-sized university towns mainly in the south and southwestern region of the U.S.

Read the Full Article
Faculty Mentioned in this Article
headshot of man with glasses in suit

Michael A. Stoll

Professor of Public Policy and Urban Planning

Michael A. Stoll is Professor of Public Policy in the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California,...

Related Articles

African American female warehouse worker wearing an orange vest doing her job.

New report finds sharply rising rates of unemployment for Black Californians

June 10, 2026
Luskin's Latest Blog
In the latest report in the State of Black California series, the team found that across...
Read More
Michael Stoll Gavin Newsom Advisor|Stoll In the News

Michael Stoll Appointed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Council of Economic Advisors

May 15, 2026
Luskin in the News
UCLA public policy professor Michael Stoll joins California’s top economic advisory council amid evolving statewide economic...
Read More
Route 66

Looking Back on Route 66’s Historical Role in Westward Migration

April 28, 2026
Luskin in the News
Michael Stoll highlights how transportation continues to influence displacement and communities today....
Read More
Welcome to Nevada sign.

Why California’s Retired State Worker Population is Migrating Out

February 3, 2026
Luskin in the News
An increasing number of California’s retired state worker population receiving CalPERS pension benefits are moving away...
Read More
three young Black women

Persistent Gaps for Black Californians Would Take Over 248 Years to Close

April 15, 2024
Luskin's Latest Blog
The State of Black California 2024 report, authored by UCLA Luskin Professor Michael Stoll, analyzes two...
Read More
stoll-AIR-1030x580II

Michael Stoll Joins Board of Directors of American Institutes for Research

December 6, 2023
Luskin's Latest Blog
UCLA expert in labor markets and the causes and impacts of poverty will provide guidance to...
Read More
Learn more about UCLA Luskin

Find contact information and get answers to your questions.

Contact Us

Public Affairs Building
337 Charles E. Young Drive East
Los Angeles, California 90095

Linkedin Youtube Instagram Facebook X-twitter
Campus Resources
  • Map, Directions, Parking
  • Directory
  • Academic Calendar
  • Careers
  • Map, Directions, Parking
  • Directory
  • Academic Calendar
  • Careers
School Resources
  • About
  • Our Dean
  • Administration
  • Luskin School Intranet
  • Board of Advisors
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
  • About
  • Our Dean
  • Administration
  • Luskin School Intranet
  • Board of Advisors
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
UCLA logo
© 2026 Regents of the University of California
  • Emergency
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy & Terms of Use
  • Emergency
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy & Terms of Use
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube Threads
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Logo
Academics
Departments
  • Global Public Affairs
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
  • Undergraduate Program
  • Global Public Affairs
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
  • Undergraduate Program
Graduate Programs
  • Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA)
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
  • Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
  • PhD in Social Welfare
  • PhD in Urban Planning
  • Master of Global Public Affairs (MGPA)
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
  • Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
  • PhD in Social Welfare
  • PhD in Urban Planning
Undergraduate Programs
  • BA in Public Affairs
  • Minor in Urban and Regional Studies
  • Minor in Gerontology
  • Minor in Public Affairs
  • BA in Public Affairs
  • Minor in Urban and Regional Studies
  • Minor in Gerontology
  • Minor in Public Affairs
Professional Certificates
  • AI in Public Affairs Certificate
  • AI in Public Affairs Certificate
Admissions
Program Specific Admissions
  • Global Public Affairs
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
  • Undergraduate Program
  • Global Public Affairs
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
  • Undergraduate Program
Faculty
Our Faculty
  • All Faculty
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
  • All Faculty
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate Development
  • Social Welfare
  • Urban Planning
Leadership
  • Our Dean
  • Board of Advisors
  • Faculty Executive Committee
  • Our Dean
  • Board of Advisors
  • Faculty Executive Committee
Research Centers
  • Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL)

    Empowers stakeholders with data to make informed decisions for children, families, and communities.

  • Berggruen Governance Index

    Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

  • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

    Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

  • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

    Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

  • Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL)

    Empowers stakeholders with data to make informed decisions for children, families, and communities.

  • Berggruen Governance Index

    Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

  • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

    Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

  • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

    Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

  • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

    Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

  • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

    Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

  • Latin American Cities Initiative

    Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

  • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

    Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

  • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

    Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

  • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

    Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

  • Latin American Cities Initiative

    Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

  • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

    Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

  • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

    Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

  • Los Angeles Education Research Institute (LAERI)

    Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

  • Luskin Center for Innovation

    Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

  • UCLA Voting Rights Project

    The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

  • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

    Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

  • Los Angeles Education Research Institute (LAERI)

    Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

  • Luskin Center for Innovation

    Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

  • UCLA Voting Rights Project

    The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

All Research Centers
Outcomes
Common Search Terms

Results will show as you type.