Idaho and Montana are experiencing a surge in new residents, with Idaho gaining roughly 12,500 net new residents in 2024. According to a report from the Mercatus Center, Americans are increasingly choosing states with lower tax burdens, greater economic freedom, and more abundant housing.
Migration Patterns
The report examined nearly 34 million interstate moves between 2018 and 2023 and found that Idaho and Montana have pursued policies designed to make their states more competitive. Idaho has maintained one of the nation’s lowest overall tax burdens, while Montana has simplified its tax code and reduced income tax rates.
These policies have led to an influx of new residents, with Washington being Idaho’s single largest source of newcomers. Montana has also experienced a similar transformation, gaining over 71,000 residents through domestic migration in the last decade.
The migration patterns suggest that policy matters, with tax burdens, economic freedom, and housing availability consistently ranking among the strongest predictors of interstate migration. As families choose to move to Idaho and Montana, they bring purchasing power, investment, entrepreneurship, charitable giving, and future tax revenue, strengthening the state’s economy and communities.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
