OPINION
Two media outlets recently declared Oklahoma to be among the 10 worst states to move to or live in.
But measurement of domestic migration—people moving across state lines—tells a very different story.
Consumer Affairs recently ranked the best states to move to based on affordability, safety, economic strength, healthcare, education and quality of life. Consumer Affairs placed Oklahoma among the bottom five states.
Similarly, CNBC recently declared Oklahoma to be one of “America’s 10 worst states to live in” in 2026. The main reason cited was that Oklahoma “imposes one of America’s strictest bans on abortion.” CNBC claimed research shows “abortion bans increase net migration outflows.”
Apparently, someone forgot to tell movers. In reality, multiple measures of domestic migration show Oklahoma continues to be among the most popular destinations for people moving from one state to another. Oklahoma is outperforming nearly all states listed as the 10 best by both Consumer Affairs and CNBC.
A recent report from the National Taxpayer Union Foundation, “Migration in Minutes,” reviewed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data through 2022, the most recent year available.
In 2022, Oklahoma ranked 10th-best at attracting net new residents, according to IRS data. From 2013 to 2022, Oklahoma ranked in the top 14 states.
Other sources indicate that trend has continued since 2022. The U-Haul Growth Index, compiled from more than 2.5 million annual one-way transactions across the U.S. and Canada, ranks states by their net gain (or loss) of customers who rented a one-way truck in one state and dropped off their equipment in another state.
Oklahoma ranked 14th best in 2025 and ranked 11th in 2024 on the U-Haul index.
To an astounding degree, you can almost flip both media lists upside down and the results will accurately reveal which states are experiencing positive migration.
While CNBC’s declared Texas among the “worst” states, it led the nation in attracting net movers in 2025.
On the other hand, several states both outlets declared among the “best” are actively losing population.
The U-Haul report found Massachusetts ranked in the bottom five states for actual movers in 2025. From 2013 to 2022, IRS data also shows Massachusetts was in the bottom five states, losing 301,508 net citizens.
Similarly, Virginia lost more than 112,000 net residents during that decade, even as Oklahoma’s domestic migration surged.
CNBC reviewers think the ready ability to abort babies attracts migration. But families prefer locations where their children can thrive. Consumer Affairs may prioritize greater government in their rankings, but families prefer a low cost of living and private-sector success.
The CNBC and Consumer Affairs rankings don’t tell us anything about Oklahoma. They only tell us that the evaluators at those outlets prioritize liberal ideology over real-world opportunity.
Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (www.ocpathink.org).
