If you’ve ever asked, “Where is everyone moving?” you’ve probably seen different answers depending on who published the list. That’s not because anyone is lying—it’s because migration rankings are built from different datasets.
But if we’re using one of the most widely cited moving indicators in the country, the latest answer is clear.
The #1 state (by a major recent index): Texas
U-Haul’s Growth Index—based on one-way U-Haul customer transactions—named Texas the #1 growth state for 2025, in an update published January 5, 2026. U-Haul also published supporting detail on top growth metros, where Texas metros dominated the top spots.
Florida remains consistently near the top as well in U-Haul’s reporting.
Why these lists tend to favor the South
Even beyond U-Haul, the broader macro story is that the South has been attracting net domestic migration. South Carolina’s labor-market agency has pointed out that domestic migration has been a major driver of growth and that the South has recently been the region with net gains in domestic migration.
People move for a blend of reasons—jobs, affordability, lifestyle, family proximity, taxes, weather—and the South checks many of those boxes for a lot of households.
What this has to do with Charleston
Charleston sits right inside the strongest current: lifestyle migration. Some households choose Texas for job hubs and affordability; others choose Florida for warmth and tax considerations; and many choose the Carolinas for a balance of coastal life, growing economies, and “good pace of life.”
In the U-Haul metro rankings, Charleston has shown up among top growth metros in the most recent published list—an indicator that the region is still a meaningful relocation destination.
How to use this info if you’re relocating to Charleston
Rankings are interesting, but the practical takeaway is this: where people are moving shapes housing competition. When the South stays a top destination region, Charleston-area home demand tends to remain steady—especially in the neighborhoods that align with what people are seeking (community, proximity to water, schools, walkability, and quality of life).
By: Dustin Guthrie, Realtor
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