PA Exodus: Voters Fleeing
Pennsylvania is experiencing a significant brain drain, with residents and resources fleeing the state in droves. The latest U-Haul Growth Index reveals that people are voting with their feet, abandoning Pennsylvania and other states with unfavorable living and working conditions for more welcoming environments.
The index shows that in 2025, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee were the top destinations for one-way moves, while Pennsylvania ranked a dismal 44th. This mass exodus should serve as a wake-up call for Pennsylvanians as they approach another election year in 2026. It’s clear that poor state-level policies are driving away tax dollars and neighbors to more favorable states.
A closer examination of the data reveals a striking trend: seven of the top 10 growth states have Republican governors, and nine of these states voted for Trump-Vance in the last presidential election. Conversely, nine of the 10 worst growth states have Democrat governors, and all but three voted for Harris-Walz. Since 2015, Pennsylvania has consistently ranked among the worst 10 out-migration states, with disastrous consequences for the state’s economy.
According to VoteWithYourFeet, which tracks migration trends, Pennsylvania lost a staggering $16.5 billion in Aggregated Gross Income (AGI) between 2012 and 2022. In contrast, Florida gained over $195 billion in AGI during the same period, including $12.3 billion from Pennsylvania. Texas also benefited, gaining nearly $1.5 billion in AGI from Pennsylvania. This trend is alarming but not surprising, given that three of the top four in-migration states – Texas, Florida, and Tennessee – have no personal income tax.
The correlation between economic policies and migration patterns is clear. As the fifth largest and biggest swing state, Pennsylvania has elected Democrats in the last three gubernatorial elections, and the state House flipped to a Democrat majority in 2022. However, Republicans have held the state Senate since 1994, serving as a firewall against unfavorable policies. National Democrats are now targeting Pennsylvania, seeking to gain a trifecta by flipping the state Senate and locking in a solid blue state.
If Democrats succeed, it’s likely that Pennsylvania will become the next California, Illinois, or New Jersey, with a continued loss of people, wealth, and opportunity. The Left’s goal is not just to impact the U-Haul list but to control the direction of the country, as states that vote blue at the state level rarely vote red at the national level. With millions of dollars pouring in from national Democrat donors, it’s essential for Pennsylvanians to recognize the stakes and make informed decisions in the upcoming election.
