New Jersey, for the third consecutive year, has topped the list of Most Moved from States in 2020.

According to the 2020 National Migration Study by United Van Lines, in 2020, more residents were moving out of the Garden State than into the state, as 70% of moves were outbound.

The study also revealed the COVID-19 pandemic factored into and accelerated many decisions to move.

The top outbound states for 2020 were:

1.         New Jersey

2.         New York

3.         Illinois

4.         Connecticut

5.         California

6.         Kansas

7.         North Dakota

8.         Massachusetts

9.         Ohio

10.       Maryland

More than 60% of all moves within the northeast United States were outbound moves.

Some New Jersey regions also ranked among the nation's top five metropolitan areas with outbound moves. Bergen and Passaic counties combined for 81% heading outbound, Trenton at 76% and Newark at 72%.

The 44th annual study bases destination ranking off the percentage of inbound and outbound state moves compared to overall state moves. The biggest reasons for leaving were retirement, followed by family reasons and then, a new job.