South Carolina became the most popular state to move to in 2024, according to U-Haul’s annual Growth Index.
The state overtook Texas, which had dominated the top spot for years, signaling a notable shift in migration patterns.
U-Haul based its rankings on more than 2.5 million annual transactions involving trucks, trailers and moving containers.
The company determined the rankings by measuring each state’s net gain or loss of customers using its equipment.
While Texas maintained a high ranking, South Carolina secured the top spot with 51.7 percent of the state’s U-Haul transactions involving arrivals.
U-Haul reported that Texas has consistently ranked first or second since 2016, and Florida has been in the top four every year since 2015.
JT Taylor, president of U-Haul International, emphasized that the 2024 data highlights long-standing migration trends.
“Families continue to move to the Southeast and Southwest as they prioritize cost of living, employment, quality of life and other factors,” Taylor said.
South Carolina became the most popular state to move to, overtaking Texas, which had dominated for years
Texas maintained a strong position, consistently ranking first or second since 2016. Florida has been in the top four since 2015
“At the same time, many people are leaving the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, especially California.”
Taylor also outlined U-Haul’s commitment to serving customers wherever they move.
“We are expanding our network, rental fleet and self-storage options to ensure we can meet moving needs in 2025,” he said.
The migration to the Southern states is consistent with findings from the National Association of Realtors, which observed similar trends in 2023.
Surprisingly, only one percent of people moving south cited weather as a reason for their move.
Instead, 42 percent moved for housing reasons, 26 percent for family reasons and 16 percent for employment reasons.
North Carolina is the third most popular state to move to as they welcomed 126,712 new residents in 2023.
Florida and Tennessee followed closely behind the Tar Heel State.
With 51.7 percent of U-Haul transactions being arrivals, South Carolina secured the top spot
Only 1 percent cited climate as a factor in moving south, while 42 percent moved for housing reasons, 26 percent for family and 16 percent for jobs
The Sunshine State saw a net influx of 372,870 people last year, while 75,000 went to Tennessee, according to the report, which analyzed U.S. Census data.
DailyMail.com recently revealed that Arkansas surprisingly attracted the most newcomers in 2024.
“We have one of the lowest costs of living in America,” state-based real estate agent Heather Keenen said.
“Couple that with tax cuts and low crime rates, and we continue to see an influx every day.”
Bentonville, in Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart is headquartered, is seeing a particular influx, Keenan points out.
“People are flocking to places with a strong job market and affordability, but also with extra space to move, great food and a welcoming culture,” she said. “We certainly have all that going for us here in Northwest Arkansas.”
The common story about Americans moving south often revolves around a quest for warmer weather and sunnier skies, but the reality is more nuanced.
But a nationwide housing crisis has played a major role in driving these movements.
Pictured: Drone aerial view of Greenville, South Carolina
Pictured: Aerial view of Fort Worth, Texas
Between 1995 and 2023, the median household income increased 2.3 times, from $34,076 to $80,610 per year.
However, during the same period, the average home sales price increased 3.4 times, from $114,600 to $389,800, according to figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
This inequality has driven many Americans out of the housing market, with the average age of homebuyers rising to 56 in 2023, up from 49 years ago.
Rising home prices, combined with historically high mortgage rates, have created a perfect storm of housing inaccessibility.
Despite these challenges, affordable housing options remain available, especially in the southern United States.