Minnesotans Are Still Leaving—Here’s Where They’re Moving To Now

Here in Minnesota, we're still known for our 10,000 lakes, but plenty of residents continue to trade those shorelines for new ZIP codes. And the latest migration data reveals some familiar trends, along with a few surprises about the top cities where Minnesotans are now heading.

If you had to guess, are more people moving to or moving from the North Star State? That's the question the hardworking crew over at the Minnesota State Demographic Center (MSDC) sets out to answer every year. And the latest answer might surprise you.

Minnesota Continues Long-Term Population Outflow Trend

According to the MSDC's most recent survey, An Analysis of Migration Trends and Patterns in Minnesota, the results show that more people are leaving the North Star State than are moving here.

For the past 20 years, Minnesota has consistently lost residents on net to other U.S. states. After a brief period of much larger net outflows during the COVID-19 pandemic, losses moderated in 2023.

The report also said, though, that the Gopher State wasn't alone in seeing more people leave the state than move to it. It noted that the majority of midwestern and northeastern states, where winters are usually cold and snowy, experienced 'net outflows of people,' also noting that other states experienced 'much higher levels of net out-migration than Minnesota does,' the report said.

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U-Haul Data Reveals Where Minnesotans Are Moving in 2026

So just which places are those former Minnesotans packing up and moving to? That's where moving and storage company U-Haul, and its latest Midyear Migration Trends survey, comes in handy. U-Haul notes that around half of all residential moves in the U.S. happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and it has found the following five cities are the most popular with people leaving the North Star State:

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The Top Five Cities Attracting Former Minnesota Residents

1) Chicago, Illinois - The third-largest city in the U.S., known for its deep dish pizza and location along Lake Michigan, is the top spot Minnesotans are moving to in 2026.

2) Phoenix, Arizona - The fifth-largest city in the U.S., known for its warm temperatures,  year-round sun, vibrant arts scene, and stunning landscapes like Camelback Mountain, is the second most popular place for Minnesotans to move in 2026.

3) - Fargo, North Dakota - The growing city on the prairie known for its friendly Midwestern vibe, strong economy, and thriving arts and education scenes, as well as being home to North Dakota State University, is the third most popular place Minnesotans are moving to in 2026.

4) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The home of Major League Baseball's Brewers, this city on Lake Michigan is known for its brewing heritage, lively festivals, and rich blend of industrial history and modern culture, and is the fourth most popular place for Minnesotans to move to in 2026.

5) - Des Moines, Iowa - The Hawkeye State's largest city, known for its role in national politics, growing arts scene, and strong financial and insurance industries, is the fifth most popular place for Minnesotans to move to in 2025.