Who Moved in 2025? Nebraska’s Window of Opportunity

Every year, the “National Movers Study” from United Van Lines and the “U-Haul Growth Index” provide a real-time heat map of the American economy. The 2025 results are in, and they deliver a clear message: while the mass exodus from high-tax coastal states continues, the “quiet competition” for the middle of the country is heating up. 

According to the latest U-Haul Growth Index, Nebraska saw a notable shift last year, slipping in the national rankings as neighbors like Missouri and South Dakota successfully position themselves as the affordable, low-tax alternatives to the coast. Similarly, the United Van Lines National Movers Study highlights that “affordability” and “career opportunity” remain the top drivers for those crossing state lines. 

It is easy to point to Nebraska’s geography or the unpredictable Plains weather as the culprit for these trends. But while we cannot move the Rocky Mountains or stop a January blizzard, the data proves that “climate” isn’t the primary driver. People are moving to Idaho and West Virginia—states with plenty of cold and rugged terrain—because those states have built a policy climate that rewards work and investment. 

To turn the tide, Nebraska must focus on the variables we can control. 

The Pillars of Competition 

• Universal Recognition: We shouldn’t make it hard for skilled workers to choose Nebraska. Thanks to the passage of LB16, Nebraska now recognizes most out-of-state occupational licenses. However, the work is in the implementation. We must ensure that boards and commissions aren’t using bureaucratic “fine print” to delay the licensure of out-of-state professionals.  A nurse or electrician should be able to get to work on day one. 

• Aggressive Income Tax Reform: Taxes are the “price tag” of a state. While Nebraska is on a path to a 3.99% rate by 2027, we are in a race. As states like Iowa and the “Sun Belt” leaders move toward even lower or zero income taxes, Nebraska must remain aggressive to ensure our “price tag” remains attractive to families and entrepreneurs. 

• Building the “Missing Middle”: You can’t move to a state if you can’t find a place to live. National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) data shows that first-time homebuyers have faced historic hurdles due to supply shortages. In Nebraska, we must tackle the restrictive municipal zoning and regulatory “red tape” that prohibits the construction of duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units. Reducing these hurdles is the only way to ensure our housing supply keeps pace with our economic ambitions. 

• Other Regulatory Reform: Regulations determine the rules of the game, and as with playing other games, while we may not say that the rules are stopping us from playing, but we do say that “it’s too complicated” or there’s “too much to read before we can start.” Likewise, regulations can detract entrepreneurs from even trying to play in the economy. 

The Road Ahead 

The migration data shows that the “Sun Belt” is starting to see its own growth constrained by rising costs. This creates a strategic opening for Nebraska. By aggressively cutting income taxes, streamlining housing through zoning reform, and fully embracing Universal Recognition, we can transform Nebraska from a state people move through to a state people move to. 

The “Good Life” is a great product—it’s time we made the cost of entry as low as possible.