Austin, Texas - A vibrant city attracting newcomers with its unique blend of urban and natural spaces.
U-Haul’s latest report reveals that Texas cities, particularly Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, are the most popular metro areas for relocators. The analysis, based on traffic data from January to July, highlights migration trends with newcomers primarily coming from states like California, Florida, and Louisiana. Despite being surpassed by South Carolina in growth rankings, Texas continues to attract individuals seeking better job opportunities and lower living costs, showcasing its ongoing appeal in the national migration landscape.
Austin – On July 16, 2025, U-Haul published its annual list of the top 35 metro areas in the United States where individuals are relocating. The report underscores that Texas cities, particularly Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, have garnered significant attention as favored destinations for movers throughout the year.
The list is formulated based on an analysis of traffic data collected from January to July 2025. This analysis specifically focuses on one-way moves into metropolitan areas with populations exceeding two million. U-Haul utilizes this traffic data to provide midyear and annual reports that highlight customer movement trends both within the states and across the country.
Among the prime findings, Houston’s highest influx of newcomers originates from Louisiana, followed by movers from Florida and Georgia. Additionally, the primary out-of-state metro area from which individuals are relocating to Houston is New Orleans, while Dallas serves as the leading in-state source. The city of Austin attracts movers predominantly from California, Florida, and Colorado, with Denver holding the top position as the out-of-state metro source and Houston as the principal in-state location.
In terms of Dallas, it sees considerable incoming U-Haul traffic from Oklahoma and Florida. Oklahoma City ranks as the top out-of-state metro contributing to Dallas’s growth, with most in-state movers arriving from Houston. San Antonio’s primary states of origin for those relocating are Florida and California, with Colorado following closely. Its top out-of-state source is Phoenix, while Houston remains the primary in-state origin.
Texas had previously dominated U-Haul’s annual growth index for three consecutive years, only to be surpassed by South Carolina in 2024. U-Haul assesses these growth metrics by analyzing over 2.5 million one-way transactions annually across both the United States and Canada, giving a comprehensive view of relocation trends nationwide.
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington was identified as the leading U-Haul Growth Metro in 2024, powered by remarkable growth driven by job creation, increased wages, and favorable tax incentives that appeal to relocating individuals and families.
The trends revealed in the U-Haul report highlight a broader pattern of migration towards Texas, a state that has consistently attracted individuals and families seeking new opportunities. The lower cost of living, combined with job prospects in tech and other industries, makes Texas live up to its reputation as a prime relocation destination.
U-Haul’s report reflects substantial interest in Texas relative to other states, especially in recent years. The migration from coastal states, including California and others, signifies a growing preference for the economic benefits offered in Texas’s metro areas.
The relocation habits also reveal patterns not just of who is moving in, but from where they are coming. Notably, the continuous high ranking of Texas cities demonstrates an effective appeal, creating a demographic shift that impacts real estate markets, schools, and community resources.
The U-Haul report for 2025 is a testament to the ongoing migration trends that favor Texas, particularly in its metropolitan areas. With Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio leading the charge, these cities showcase an enduring attractiveness to newcomers, positioning them as significant players in the national migration landscape.
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