For the ninth year in a row, Florida ranked among the top 10 states in U-Haul’s Growth Index, with a ranking of 4th overall.
Southern states continue to dominate the list, with South Carolina topping the U-Haul Growth Index for the first time. Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee round out the five leading growth states. Conversely, California, often compared by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis‘ rival governor and potential 2028 Presidential Candidate, Governor Gavin Newsom, experienced the greatest net loss of do-it-yourself movers in U-Haul and ranks 50th for the fifth-consecutive year.
Growth rankings are determined by each state’s net gain or loss of customers using one-way U-Haul equipment during a calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way transactions involving U-Haul trucks, trailers, and U-Box® moving containers that take place annually.
”State-to-state transactions from the past year reaffirm customer tendencies that have been pronounced for some time,” stated John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president. “Migration to the Southeast and Southwest continues as families gauge their cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life and other factors that go into relocating to a new state.
Out-migration remains prevalent for a number of markets across the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast — and particularly California. U-Haul continues to expand its network, rental fleet and self-storage footprint so that wherever people move in 2025, we will be there to meet their needs.”
South Carolina ascended three positions in the rankings, effectively displacing Texas, which held the designation of the leading growth state for the preceding three years (2021-2023). In 2024, data indicate that over 51.7% of U-Haul transactions involving movement to the Palmetto State were arrivals.
Texas has consistently demonstrated impressive growth, securing either the first or second position among U-Haul Growth States each year since 2016. Similarly, Florida has maintained a strong presence, ranking fourth or higher for eight consecutive years, starting from 2015.
On the other hand, New York has faced challenges, currently sitting at No. 47 on the list, marking its lowest growth ranking in a decade.
In terms of year-over-year changes, Oklahoma has made remarkable strides, jumping up by 30 positions, followed closely by Indiana with an increase of 19 positions, and Maine, which climbed 18 spots on the U-Haul Growth Index. Conversely, several states have witnessed significant declines in their rankings as of 2024, with Colorado experiencing the steepest drop at 31 positions. Nevada fell by 24 spots, while Wyoming and New Mexico saw their rankings decrease by 22 and 21 positions, respectively.
