A new decade has begun. Is it time for a change? One of the best ways to mix things up is to start fresh in a new town, or better yet, a new state. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into by doing some research ahead of time. For example, you want to choose a state with a promising economy. You also want to investigate crime rates and public school performance—especially if you have children.

How do you find the information you need? 

Below you will find some basic information that will help you to gather your thoughts and priorities. You will also find useful links that will help you better research any state in the U.S. before you move! 

States with the Best Public Schools

All public schools vary in performance, even within the same state. However, you can get a general idea by looking at resources like The Nation’s Report Card. Here you can view state rankings by grade level and subject matter. For example, here are the top 5 performing states for Grade 4 Reading:

  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • Wyoming
  • Utah
  • Colorado

States with the Lowest Violent Crime Rates

If safety is priority, then you will benefit from researching crime rates. At Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics, you can find in-depth information about property crime and violent crime for each state. Below are states with the lowest violent crime rates according to these government statistics:

  • Utah
  • New Hampshire
  • Vermont
  • Connecticut

States with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

Employment possibilities greatly depend on your field of expertise; however, you can get a general sense of the economy and career potential through unemployment statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides seasonally adjusted statistics by state. Here are the best performing states for 2019:

  • South Carolina
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • North Dakota
  • Colorado

Need More Information?

Do you have other things in mind that you’d like to research before planning your next relocation? Here are some additional resources you might find useful:

  • U.S. Housing Market Conditions: This offers at-a-glance information about various metro areas. You can find state reports, region reports, and more. 

  • U.S.A. Gov Moving: Here you will find a plethora of useful information including safe moving practices, change of address forms, and much more.

  • COVAN Worldwide Moving: Whether you need local movers, long-distance movers, or international movers, the experts at COVAN provide superior service at an honest price. 


Whether you’re moving on a whim or pursuing a personal or career opportunity, researching your new community is always a good idea. At COVAN Worldwide Moving, we are more than happy to answer any questions you have about the residential relocation process, and if you’d like, our experts will offer a free moving cost estimate for full-service solutions that are customized to suit your unique needs!