#25: Nebraska

Inbound moves: 46.8%
Outbound moves: 53.2%

Nebraska finds itself in the top 10 states experiencing significant outflows, with approximately 2,000 residents departing annually due to what’s dubbed “brain drain.” College-educated adults are seeking greener pastures in pursuit of better job prospects and higher wages, often setting their sights on bustling cities with more to offer. This insight comes from David Drozd, a research coordinator at UNO’s Center for Public Affairs.

A staggering 42% of movers pinpointed work opportunities as their primary impetus for leaving the state. The state’s harsh winters, marked by biting cold and relentless winds, also factor in. As Keith Rockefeller aptly describes on Quora, the bone-chilling combination of single-digit temperatures and strong winds can be a formidable challenge, turning even the simplest tasks into daunting undertakings.