Discover Which States Lead the Way in the Preloved Clothing Market

Considering a Preloved Clothing Venture? See Which States Are Best for Launching Your Business!

• Washington ranks as the tenth best state for aspiring used fashion thrifters
• Vermont is the number one state where used clothing companies to thrive
• New York, California, and Oregon are among the best places for used clothing startups

The recent analysis conducted by Income Nerd, a prominent online business resource, has shed light on the burgeoning demand for second-hand clothing sellers across the United States. The study meticulously evaluated a variety of internet search terms associated with the online purchase of pre-loved clothing, particularly on well-known peer-to-peer social e-commerce platforms such as Etsy, Poshmark, and Ebay.

The research encompassed the 150 largest U.S. cities, along with the top three cities from every state, in addition to statewide search rates. This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic view, highlighting both the prime cities and states for sellers on these platforms to attract considerable interest and sales.

Washington has emerged as the tenth-ranking state for budding used clothing businesses, with residents exhibiting a monthly search rate of 154.2 per 100,000 capita. This figure surpasses the national state average of 132.03 by 17%, underscoring the state’s heightened penchant for second-hand fashion, which notably outstrips that of the majority of the country. This trend holds substantial promise for businesses poised to capitalize on this momentum.

So, which states top the list for used clothing sellers? Vermont leads the pack, presenting an outstanding opportunity for aspiring used clothing entrepreneurs with an average monthly search volume of 229.1 per 100,000 residents— a remarkable 74% increase over the national state average. Following closely is Oregon, the second-best state for second-hand fashion ventures, where residents demonstrate a strong demand with an average search rate of 175.8 per 100,000. Rhode Island secures the third position, showcasing a search rate of 174.1 per 100,000, which is 32% above the national state average.

Rank	US State	Average Monthly Search Volume Per 100K
1	Vermont	229.1
2	Oregon	175.8
3	Rhode Island	174.1
4	New York	167.5
5	California	164.4
6	Hawaii	163.3
7	Wyoming	159.0
8	Montana	158.5
9	Alaska	156.8
10	Washington	154.2

New York and California clinch the fourth and fifth spots, with respective search volumes of 167.5 and 164.4 per 100,000 residents. Hawaii stands as the sixth prime state for launching a second-hand clothing venture, followed by Wyoming and Montana in the seventh and eighth positions. Alaska and Washington round out the top ten list.

On a more granular level, when we delve into the individual cities that are hotspots for pre-loved clothing sellers, Morgantown, WV, takes the lead. This city exhibits a staggering average monthly search volume of 1,323.9 per 100,000 residents, a whopping 245% above the average for the top 200 cities. Newark, DE, is not far behind, showcasing a robust search rate that significantly outpaces the average.

Rank	US City	Average Monthly Search Volume Per 100K
1	Morgantown, West Virginia	1323.9
2	Newark, Delaware	1305.3
3	Burlington, Vermont	868.9
4	Portland, Maine	841.6
5	Salt Lake City, Utah	813.2
6	South Burlington, Vermont	747.5
7	Wilmington, Delaware	721.9
8	Charleston, West Virginia	709.1
9	Bangor, Maine	701.7
10	Gaithersburg, Maryland	679.2

Additional notable cities include Burlington, VT, Portland, ME, Salt Lake City, UT, and South Burlington, VT, all of which display a strong inclination towards second-hand fashion. Wilmington, DE, and Charleston, WV, also make their mark in the top ten, alongside Bangor, ME, and Gaithersburg, MD.

Mahmoud Elsaid, the visionary founder of Income Nerd, remarked on these findings, highlighting the growing trend of leveraging peer-to-peer e-commerce platforms for second-hand and vintage clothing sales. He underscored the increasing viability of this avenue as both a supplementary income source and a full-fledged business venture, especially in the context of the rising anti ‘fast fashion’ sentiment.

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