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Top US states Canadians are moving to
A lot of Canadians decide to move to the USA at some point in their lives. Centennial Moving helps thousands each year plan long-distance moving projects across the border. Recent government numbers confirm the surge. According to the American Community Survey, 821,322 Canadian-born residents lived in the United States in 2022, up 42,000 from the previous year. Those figures shape every discussion about the top US states Canadians are moving to and set the stage for this 2025 update. Here are the latest facts, comparisons, and proven money-saving tips.
Why Canadians cross the border in record numbers
Economic pressures at home and attractive incentives abroad push relocation decisions. Statistics Canada notes that four percent of Canadians now live outside the country, with the United States as the primary destination. Meanwhile, the loonie hovers around 0.74 USD, giving workers in high-wage U.S. states a built-in income boost. Warmer winters, lower taxes, and elite schools add strong pull factors. Together they answer the question of where Canadians relocate in the US and why the flow keeps rising.
Education is a major factor in why so many Canadians are moving to the US.
Key relocation drivers in 2025
Higher earnings: Median individual income in Florida, Texas, and California stands 18 percent above Canada’s national median.
Lower personal taxes: Seven destination states collect no personal income tax, leaving more cash for housing and travel.
Climate comfort: Snowbird states log 250+ sunny days yearly, reducing winter energy costs by up to 30 percent.
Education access: Families target metro areas near top universities like Columbia and other Tier 1 schools.
Healthcare speed: Shorter wait times for diagnostics motivate relocations for time-sensitive treatments.
These forces guide the practical advice inside our cross-border moving guide.
Florida and Nevada – sunshine, savings, and a ready-made community
Florida still tops every 2025 list of the best US states for Canadians to move to. The latest American Community Survey counts about 96,000 Canadian-born residents plus roughly 500,000 seasonal owners in the Sunshine State. Tourism Florida adds that 3.3 million Canadians visited in 2024, confirming steady interest. A Toronto household that spends 9,000 CAD at home needs 8,319 USD per month in Miami, an immediate 12 % break. Real-estate data backs the savings: Florida’s median sale price sits at 375,000–425,000 USD versus Vancouver’s 805,000 USD equivalent, a 48 % gap. Average weekly earnings reached 1,187 USD in February 2025, while nurses and tech workers earn clear 75,000 USD salaries. January highs average 71°F (22 °C) in Orlando, and residents enjoy 230 sunny days each year. No state income tax keeps retirement budgets intact, yet homeowners should budget about 2,800 USD for hurricane insurance.
There are many things to see in Florida, which is why it is one of the top US states Canadians are moving to.
Nevada has jumped onto the 2025 short-lists for Canadians moving from Canada to the USA 2025. The Census interactive map logs just over 12,000 Canadian-born Nevadans, up 11 % year-on-year. Las Vegas offers zero income tax, 294 clear-sky days, and a 428,000 USD median sale price, letting newcomers bank the climate upgrade without Florida-level humidity. Direct flights from Vancouver reach McCarran in under three hours, and storage solutions Canada partners report brisk demand for short-term units while buyers house-hunt.
Together, Florida and Nevada headline the Top US states Canadians are moving to. They pair warm winters with relatable price tags and strong job pipelines.
Texas – fast job growth and business link-ups
Texas keeps its status as one of the top destinations for Canadians in the United States, and every cross-border moving guide now places the Lone Star State near the top. The Texas Workforce Commission confirms 284,200 new jobs between December 2023 and December 2024, with energy, clean tech, health tech, and chip plants leading payroll gains.
Households compare costs and smile. Austin’s median sale price at 543,000 USD in February 2025 is roughly 22 percent below the Greater Toronto average after currency adjustment. Average apartment rent rests at 1,656 USD, still under Vancouver’s 2,000 CAD benchmark. Warm winters help too. Dallas posts January highs near 56 °F (13 °C), cutting heating bills.
The beautiful nature of Texas brings you peace of mind.
Trade ties stay strong. The Texas governor’s office records 71.3 billion USD in two-way trade with Canada in 2022, making Canada the state’s second-largest partner. These links support thousands of jobs in logistics and finance. Entrepreneurs launch LLCs in a day and pay zero corporate income tax on profits.
Meanwhile, Georgia rises quickly. Atlanta’s tech and film boom created 46,000 new jobs in 2024, and homes now close at a friendly 356,000 USD. Mild winters—January averages hit 52°F (11 °C)—sweeten the offer.
Plan carefully, and let cross country movers Canada residents rely on handle shipping while you lock housing early. Texas and Georgia both promise growth, sunshine, and salaries that stretch further for Canadians moving from Canada to the USA in 2025.
California: pay premiums, scenic coast, and innovation
California ranks high in every cross-border moving guide and remains one of the top destinations for Canadians in the United States. Census data shows roughly 100,000 Canadian-born residents now live there, with 8,700 newcomers arriving in 2022 alone.
Work prospects shine. Bay-Area software engineers pocket a median of 260,000 USD total package, topping 355,000 CAD after conversion. Los Angeles entertainment pros average 61,500 USD yearly, while San Diego biotech salaries hover near 105,000 USD.
Costs climb, yet smart planning eases strain. The statewide median home price sits at 829,000 USD; downtown Toronto lists 1 million CAD, so gaps shrink after currency shifts. Rent in San Francisco averages 3,295 USD for a one-bedroom, still under Vancouver’s 3,400 CAD watermark.
Apartments for rent & houses
Sunlight sweetens the math. Los Angeles enjoys 263 sunny days each year, slashing winter heating bills. Families praise magnet schools that feed straight into UC campuses, ensuring smooth academic paths. Trade runs deep, too. Canadian firms support 64,500 California jobs, providing two-way opportunities. When you decide to leap, long distance movers Ontario residents hire manage customs and timing, letting you focus on surfing weekends and Sierra snow.
Arizona: snowbird haven with healthcare perks
Arizona keeps its spot in every cross-border moving guide and sits high among the top destinations for Canadians in the United States. The Canada-Arizona Business Council counts about 100,000 snowbirds each winter and credits them with 1.4 billion USD in annual economic activity. Phoenix enjoys crisp, sunny winters. December highs reach 66°F (19 °C), and heaters rest easy.
Housing still undercuts Canadian markets. Zillow lists a 416,700 USD Phoenix median, 45 percent below Toronto’s latest 1.08 million CAD benchmark. Tucson averages 329,100 USD, tempting budget-minded retirees. Average electricity bills run 220 USD monthly, far less than Alberta’s winter spikes.
Health access draws many north-of-the-border residents. Scottsdale’s Mayo Clinic ranks among America’s top three hospitals, cutting wait times for joint surgery to eight weeks, versus Ontario’s six-month queue. Jobs track healthcare and aerospace; Raytheon, Honeywell, and Banner Health posted 7,900 combined openings in March 2025.
Practical tip: ship the car with long distance movers BC residents rely on to lock Canadian insurance during transit. Coordinated timing trims storage costs and proves that careful planning saves money.
New York: high-octane careers and elite academics
New York ranks high in every cross-border moving guide and remains among the top destinations for Canadians in the United States. World Population Review lists 35,450 Canadian-born residents statewide in 2025, with hundreds arriving each month.
Wall Street pays for the switch. The New York Comptroller reports an average securities salary of 471,000 USD in 2023 and a record 244,700 USD average bonus in 2024. Broadway talent earns a protected 2,439 USD weekly minimum, while stars top 40,000 USD.
There is no need to explain why New York is one of the top US states Canadians are moving to.
City costs run high. Manhattan’s median rent reached 5,100 USD in April 2025, yet many newcomers accept the trade-off for six-figure incomes and nonstop culture.
Apartments for rent & houses
Families prize magnet schools that feed straight into top universities like Columbia and NYU.
Upstate solves the budget puzzle. Buffalo’s median sale price sits at 212,500 USD; Rochester posts 202,500 USD. Buffalo’s homestead tax rate equals 1.12 percent, yet the bill on a median home totals 2,380 USD—far below Toronto’s 6,500 CAD levy on a million-dollar house taxed at 0.593 percent. Toronto drivers reach these cities in under four hours, cutting travel costs and homesickness.
Plan early, compare quotes, and remember that hiring movers in Canada can actually save you money when duties, storage, and timing line up. Follow the numbers, and New York delivers both career upside and manageable living costs.
Quick-compare cheat sheet
Here is a quick cheat sheet of all the mentioned states and important info:
Florida: No income tax, median existing-home price 402,000 USD, average January high 21 °C.
Texas: No income tax, median price 361,000 USD, average January high 16 °C.
California: Income tax up to 13.3 percent, median price 744,000 USD, average January high 19 °C in Los Angeles.
Arizona: Income tax 2.5 percent flat, median price 436,000 USD, average January high 18 °C.
New York: Income tax up to 10.9 percent, median price 426,000 USD statewide, average January high 3 °C in Buffalo.
Nevada: No income tax, median price 420,000 USD, average January high 14 °C in Las Vegas.
This way, based on the most important data, you can decide which state is your new home.
Planning the move with practical steps and costs
First, secure the right visa. Most professionals use the TN category, which maintains approval above 80 percent, though rates tightened in 2024. Engineers, nurses, and scientists receive quick adjudication when documents match job offers. Compare private health plans before arrival because U.S. coverage starts only after enrollment. Next, build a budget: factor in currency swings, state taxes, and storage if you stage possessions.
It is important to choose the right transport. Many families pick Canadian moving services that specialize in Canadian moving from Canada to the USA. Shippers bundle freight, furniture, and cars into sealed containers. This technique, called consolidated moves, cuts costs by 25 percent compared with solo trailers.
Stick to a fourteen-foot truck if you rent. Anything larger claims higher tolls on busy corridors. Declutter aggressively, and each cubic foot shaved saves roughly two U.S. gallons of fuel over 3,000 kilometers. Ship vehicles separately when the resale value exceeds the shipping cost minus depreciation. Remember, long-distance moving quotes rise sharply within thirty days of departure, so lock rates early.
There is a lot to think about when moving to the USA.
Tax and financial checklist
U.S. tax residents file federal and often state returns on worldwide income. Use the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty to claim foreign tax credits and stop double hits. Florida and Nevada residents dodge state income tax. Texas levies none either but has higher property taxes that average 1.6 percent of assessed value. New York returns include city levies up to 3.8 percent, so high earners should run projections.
Weather and lifestyle matchups
Florida offers year-round golf. Texas combines coastal fishing in Corpus Christi with mountain biking in El Paso. California supplies surfing at dawn and skiing by noon in the Sierras. Arizona keeps humidity low, easing respiratory issues. New York delivers four distinct seasons and world-class museums. Nevada mixes desert hikes with NHL action inside T-Mobile Arena. Pick the climate that fuels hobbies and keeps health stable.
Families track district scores and proximity to advanced programs. Florida’s Bright Futures covers public tuition for residents’ children who maintain solid grades. Texas supports in-state tuition after 12 months. California’s community college system feeds into UC campuses. New York’s Excelsior Scholarship covers SUNY tuition for qualified families earning under 125,000 USD.
Florida and Arizona host large specialty clinics targeting snowbirds. Texas and California lead in organ-transplant success rates. New York’s teaching hospitals spearhead cardiac research. Nevada partners with UNLV School of Medicine to expand facilities. Prices vary, so shop bronze, silver, and gold marketplace plan the minute you land.
Visa may be the hardest part of your relocation – but no worries, we can tell you everything you need to know.
Join provincial associations in major cities. Tampa Bay Canadians run weekly floor hockey leagues. Austin’s Maple Leaf Club streams CFL playoffs. Los Angeles hosts July 1 concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Phoenix schedules curling nights at the Coyotes Community Ice Center. Las Vegas holds “Poutine Fest” each fall, drawing visitors from as far as Edmonton.
Top US states Canadians are moving to in 2025
Choosing between tropical beaches, tech hubs, or desert sunsets depends on your career, budget, and lifestyle goals. Yet the facts point to six clear leaders. Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, New York, and now Nevada headline the top US states Canadians are moving to in 2025. Follow this guide, crunch the numbers, and lean on proven experts. With careful planning, you will settle faster, spend less, and enjoy your new zip code from day one.