A new study has crowned South Carolina as the most popular state to move to in 2024, according to U-Haul.
The U-Haul Growth Index tracks one-way moves using their trucks, trailers, and containers. This year, South Carolina knocked Texas off the top spot it held for years.
"Growth rankings are configured by each state’s net gain (or loss) of customers utilizing one-way U-Haul equipment in a calendar year," the study noted. Over 2.5 million U-Haul transactions contributed to this data.
Texas still ranks high but lost its first-place streak. "Texas has ranked first or second among U-Haul Growth States each year since 2016," the company shared. Florida also maintained a strong position, staying in the top four since 2015.
South Carolina saw over 51.7% of U-Haul traffic as arrivals. This tipped the scales and gave the Palmetto State its big win.
"Migration to the Southeast and Southwest continues as families gauge their cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life and other factors," said J.T. Taylor, U-Haul International’s president. The Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast saw significant out-migration, with California leading the pack.
Taylor added, "U-Haul continues to expand its network, rental fleet, and self-storage footprint to meet the needs of movers in 2025."
Southern states have consistently drawn new residents. The National Association of Realtors' 2024 Migration Trends report backed this up, showing the South as a migration hotspot.
Surprisingly, only 1% of movers headed South for the weather. Housing was the main reason for 42%, while 26% moved for family and 16% for jobs.
For more details, check out U-Haul's full report.