Houston, January 7, 2026
Texas continues to lead the nation in attracting new residents, with Houston at its heart, according to U-Haul’s latest migration trends report. The findings reveal that Texas had the highest percentage of inbound movers, reflecting a vibrant economy and community landscape. This ongoing trend showcases the state’s appeal driven by business-friendly policies, low taxes, and opportunities for personal growth, emphasizing Houston’s role as a significant contributor to Texas’s economic success.
Houston’s Growth Fueled as Texas Tops U-Haul’s 2025 Migration Trends
The Lone Star State, with Houston at its core, continues to draw new residents, signaling robust economic potential and a vibrant community landscape in the latest U-Haul report.
Houston, TX – The spirit of entrepreneurial innovation and the resilience of small businesses are cornerstones of Texas’s economic landscape, and recent migration trends highlight the appeal of the Lone Star State. A new report from U-Haul on 2025 migration patterns reveals Texas as the leading state for inbound movers nationwide. This consistent attraction of new residents underscores the state’s dynamic economic environment, fueled by a commitment to growth and a business-friendly atmosphere that encourages personal achievement and expansion.
The influx of individuals and families choosing Texas reflects a broader confidence in the state’s future. This sustained growth is a testament to the combined efforts of local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and policies that foster an environment where businesses can thrive. It signals a robust economic outlook for Houston and the wider Texas region, driven by continuous innovation and expanding opportunities for its residents.
Texas Leads Nationwide In-Migration for 2025
Texas has once again secured the top position on the U-Haul Growth Index for 2025, marking the seventh time in a decade that the state has led the nation in attracting new residents. This achievement follows a year where Texas climbed one spot after ranking second in 2024. The U-Haul Growth Index, which analyzes over 2.5 million one-way transactions across the U.S. and Canada annually, considers a state’s net gain of one-way U-Haul equipment from customer transactions.
In 2025, U-Haul customers arriving in Texas constituted 50.7% of all one-way traffic entering and exiting the state, with departures accounting for 49.3%. Compared to the previous year, customer arrivals in Texas increased by 3% year-over-year, while departures saw a more modest rise of 1% year-over-year. This consistent net gain indicates a sustained preference for Texas as a destination for those seeking new opportunities.
Florida Maintains Strong Growth Ranking
Following closely behind Texas, Florida secured the second position for in-migration on the U-Haul Growth Index for 2025. The Sunshine State has consistently ranked among the top four growth states since 2015.
In 2025, Florida experienced a similar trend to Texas, with arrivals representing 50.6% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in and out of the state, compared to 49.4% departures. Customer arrivals in Florida saw a 2% increase year-over-year, while departures rose by 1% year-over-year. This consistent appeal highlights Florida’s enduring attractiveness to new residents.
Key Factors Driving Texas’s Appeal
The continuous influx of residents into Texas is influenced by several compelling factors. A significant driver is the relocation of numerous tech companies and corporations establishing their headquarters within the state, which consequently attracts professionals and families seeking career opportunities. Texas is recognized for its robust infrastructure, readily available housing options, and a generally pro-business regulatory environment. The state’s policy of low taxes and the absence of a state income tax are also frequently cited reasons for its popularity among movers. These elements collectively foster an attractive landscape for entrepreneurial ventures and sustained economic growth.
Houston and Other Texas Metros Experience Significant Growth
Within Texas, several metropolitan areas are experiencing substantial growth, reflecting the statewide trend. For 2025, six of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas for growth are located in Texas. Notably, Dallas, Houston, and Austin are recognized as the top three growth metros nationwide. This highlights Houston’s critical role in the state’s overall economic expansion.
Specific communities within the Houston area are also witnessing considerable in-migration. These include Baytown, College Station, Bryan, Conroe, Fulshear, Huntsville, Kingwood, and Magnolia. This localized growth points to expanding opportunities and community development across the greater Houston region, reinforcing its status as a magnet for those seeking a vibrant lifestyle and professional advancement.
Nationwide Migration Trends and Economic Insights
The U-Haul report for 2025 also sheds light on broader nationwide migration trends. The findings indicate a discernible pattern of migration from states traditionally identified as “blue” to those considered “red.” Seven of the top 10 growth states for 2025 currently have Republican governors, and nine of these states supported the Republican candidate in the last presidential election.
Conversely, nine of the bottom 10 growth states feature Democrat governors, and seven of those states voted for the Democratic candidate in the last presidential election. This trend, which became more pronounced after the 2020 pandemic, suggests that factors such as cost of living, job opportunities, and overall quality of life play a significant role in relocation decisions. Furthermore, sunshine and warm weather appear to be influential motivators for movers, as eight of the top 10 in-migration states are situated in the southern U.S.
States Experiencing Out-Migration
While Texas and Florida lead in attracting new residents, other states are experiencing significant out-migration. For the sixth consecutive year, California recorded the largest net loss of one-way movers. Other states among the bottom five for growth in 2025 include Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
The 2025 U-Haul Migration Trends Report paints a clear picture of Texas as a leader in attracting new residents, driven by its robust economy, pro-business environment, and diverse opportunities. Houston, as a major economic hub, is a significant contributor to this statewide success.
As Houston continues to evolve and attract talent, supporting our local businesses and fostering community engagement are crucial for sustained prosperity. By celebrating entrepreneurial spirit and embracing innovation, we can ensure Houston remains a beacon of economic growth and opportunity for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the U-Haul Growth Index?
- The U-Haul Growth Index is an analysis compiled from over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck, trailer, and U-Box moving container transactions that occur annually across the U.S. and Canada. It ranks states by their net gain or loss of one-way equipment from customer transactions in a calendar year, serving as a measure of how well states, metros, and cities are attracting and retaining residents.
- Which state topped the U-Haul Growth Index for 2025?
- Texas reclaimed the title of the No. 1 U-Haul growth state for 2025.
- How did Florida rank in the 2025 U-Haul Migration Trends Report?
- Florida ranked second for net gain of one-way customers in the 2025 U-Haul Migration Trends Report.
- What percentage of U-Haul traffic into Texas was represented by arrivals in 2025?
- U-Haul customers arriving in Texas accounted for 50.7% of all one-way traffic in and out of the state in 2025.
- What were some of the top reasons people moved to Texas in 2025?
- Key reasons included tech companies and corporations moving their headquarters to Texas, strong infrastructure, available housing, the state being pro-business, offering low taxes, and no income tax.
- Which Houston-area cities were noted for growth in 2025?
- Specific Houston-area cities people are moving to include Baytown, College Station, Bryan, Conroe, Fulshear, Huntsville, Kingwood, and Magnolia.
- Which states experienced the most out-migration in 2025?
- California reflected the largest net loss of one-way movers for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
Key Features of U-Haul’s 2025 Migration Trends Report
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Top Growth State | Texas ranked No. 1 for in-migration. | State-level |
| Second Growth State | Florida ranked No. 2 for in-migration. | State-level |
| Texas In-Migration Percentage (2025) | 50.7% of all one-way U-Haul traffic into and out of Texas were arrivals. | State-level |
| Florida In-Migration Percentage (2025) | 50.6% of all one-way U-Haul traffic into and out of Florida were arrivals. | State-level |
| Top 5 Growth States (2025) | Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina. | Nationwide |
| Top Out-Migration State (2025) | California recorded the largest net loss of one-way movers. | Nationwide |
| Top Texas Growth Metros (2025) | Dallas, Houston, and Austin were among the top three growth metros nationwide. | Metro-level / State-level |
| Reasons for Texas Growth | Business relocations (tech companies, corporations), strong infrastructure, available housing, pro-business environment, low taxes, no income tax. | State-level / Nationwide context |
| Influential Factors for Movers | Cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life, and warm weather (8 of top 10 growth states are in the South). | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
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