John Hood Argues Decentralization Drives U.S. Domestic Migration

Columnist John Hood argues that the United States system of decentralization enables citizens to vote with their feet by relocating to states that align with their specific policy preferences. He suggests that divergent governance across the country creates a competitive environment where residents choose their jurisdiction based on local laws and priorities.

Hood points to several recent local government actions as evidence of this divergence. These include New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani prohibiting rent increases for nearly one million apartments and Seattle Mayor Kate Wilson calling for a boycott of Starbucks. In other regions, the government of Illinois is establishing state-funded food aid for individuals who fail to meet federal work requirements, while San Francisco voters prepare to decide on the creation of a municipal bank this fall.

To illustrate the impact of these policy differences, Hood notes that North Carolina experienced the highest domestic migration influx in the U.S. in 2025. The state added 84,100 residents, a trend Hood attributes to the state's pro-growth and pro-liberty policy choices.