According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau and moving companies U-Haul and United Van Lines, Retiring Baby Boomers and early Gen Xers drove the migration trend to the Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States.
U-Haul Growth Index
Top States People Moved To:
- Texas
- Florida
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Tennessee
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Ohio
- Idaho
Top States People Moved From:
- California
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- Alaska
According to the annual U-Haul Growth Index, Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas were the most popular destinations among one-way U-Haul truck customers in 2022. These states ranked as the top growth states on the index.
U-Haul data shows that the trend of migration to the Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States, which was intensified during the pandemic, persisted throughout the last year. However, the overall number of do-it-yourself moves slowed down slightly in most states compared to the record-breaking number of moves in 2021.
According to the U-Haul Growth Index, the demand for equipment out of California, Illinois, and New York remained high in 2022. This was due to a growing number of people moving away from the West Coast, Northeast, and Midwest regions.
California and Illinois ranked 50th and 49th on the index for the third consecutive year, indicating that these states experienced the highest net losses of one-way U-Haul trucks.
The U-Haul Growth Index is based on the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks arriving in a state or city compared to those departing from that state or city in a calendar year. The migration trends data is compiled from over 2 million one-way U-Haul truck transactions occurring annually across the United States and Canada.
According to the U-Haul Growth Index, Texas has been ranked as the number one growth state for the second year in a row and the fifth time since 2016. Florida, coming in second place, has been among the top-three growth states for seven consecutive years.
Other states that made up the top 10 growth states include South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, and Idaho. Virginia and Alabama have seen the most significant growth increase, climbing 26 spots from their 2021 rankings. On the other hand, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, and California had the lowest growth in 2022.
“The 2022 trends in migration followed very similar patterns to 2021 with Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, and the Southwest continuing to see solid growth,” stated John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president. “We still have areas with strong demand for one-way rentals. While overall migration in 2021 was record-breaking, we continue to experience significant customer demand to move out of some geographic areas to destinations at the top of our growth list.”
United Van Lines Annual National Movers Study
Top States People Moved To*:
- Vermont (77%)
- Oregon (67%)
- Rhode Island (66%)
- South Carolina (61%)
- Delaware (60.7%)
- North Carolina (60.5%)
- District of Columbia (59%)
- South Dakota (58.5%)
- New Mexico (58.3%)
- Alabama (58%)
Top States People Moved From*:
- New Jersey (67%)
- Illinois (64%)
- New York (62%)
- Michigan (58%)
- Wyoming (57%)
- Pennsylvania (56.7%)
- Massachusetts (56.5%)
- Nebraska (56.3%)
- Louisiana (56%)
- California (56%)
*Percentages are based on total moves for that state. For example, 77% of moves in Vermont were inbound, so 23% were outbound to make 100%.
According to the 46th Annual National Movers Study by United Van Lines, Americans continued to move to lower-density areas in 2022, driven by career changes, retirement, and a desire to be closer to family. Vermont had the highest percentage of inbound migration, at 77%, for the second year. Meanwhile, New Jersey had the highest percentage of outbound migration at 67%, a decrease from the five-year trend of 70%.
The study also found that the top motivations for inbound moves were a desire to be closer to family (35%), a new job or company transfer (33%), and retirement (20%). Baby Boomers and Gen Xers were the most active age group among movers, accounting for more than 55% of all inbound United Van Lines moves in 2022.
Oregon followed Vermont as a top inbound state with 67% inbound migration, while other popular moving destinations in 2022 included Rhode Island (66%), Delaware (61%), and Washington D.C. (59%). Southeastern states also saw a high percentage of moves, with South Carolina (61%), North Carolina (61%), and Alabama (58%) being popular choices.
In addition to Vermont and Oregon, the top 10 inbound states in 2022 also included Delaware, North Carolina, and New Mexico (58%). The study found that retirement was the top motivation for moving to Delaware and New Mexico.
On the other hand, Wyoming and Pennsylvania joined the list of top 10 outbound states with a percentage of 57%. The main reason for moving out of these states was a new job or company transfer.
Retiring Baby Boomers and early Gen Xers are driving American migration patterns, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and moving companies U-Haul and United Van Lines.
Compared to the record-breaking number of moves in 2021, the past year witnessed a decrease in the number of moves.
