As Americans continue to move across the country in search of better opportunities, South Carolina has emerged as the most popular state for relocation in 2024.
According to a recent study by moving company U-Haul, the southern state has topped the list, surpassing Texas, which had held the number one spot for the past three years.
A Shift to the South
In the study, which analyzed over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul trips, South Carolina came out on top, followed by Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee in the top five.
The trend of migration towards southern states has been growing for years, with factors such as affordable living, job opportunities, and overall quality of life playing key roles in these moves.
U-Haul’s international president, John ‘J.T.’ Taylor, highlighted that the migration patterns reflect a shift toward the Southeast and Southwest regions, driven by families seeking better cost of living and job prospects.
“State-to-state transactions from the past year reaffirm customer tendencies that have been pronounced for some time,” Taylor said.
Why South Carolina?
South Carolina’s appeal lies in its mix of natural beauty, rich history, and relatively low cost of living.
The state is home to popular cities like Charleston and Greenville, as well as the renowned vacation spot and retirement destination, Myrtle Beach.
Known for its picturesque 60-mile stretch of beaches, Myrtle Beach attracts more than 18 million visitors each year, including a growing number of retirees.
Between 2020 and 2023, Myrtle Beach saw the fastest-growing population of people aged 65 and older in the U.S.
The area experienced a 23 percent increase in residents in that age group during these years, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
The Exodus from the West and Northeast
While southern states are seeing a population surge, states in the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, particularly California, are experiencing significant outflows.
California, in particular, saw the greatest net loss of residents moving with U-Haul equipment, ranking 50th on the list for the fifth year in a row.
New York also ranked near the bottom, at 47th, its lowest position in a decade.
Oklahoma, Indiana, and Maine made significant strides on the list, with each state moving up 30 or more spots.
On the other hand, Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico saw the most significant declines in migration, with Colorado falling 31 places and Nevada dropping 24.
Why the Migration to the South?
This trend of migration to the southern states aligns with other studies that indicate Americans are increasingly drawn to lower costs of living, more housing options, and reduced taxes.
A recent report from Atlas Van Lines also revealed that states such as Louisiana, California, Illinois, South Dakota, and New York are seeing the highest numbers of residents leaving, with factors such as high living costs, limited job opportunities, taxes, and extreme weather driving many to seek greener pastures.
Top 10 U-Haul Growth States of 2024
- South Carolina
- Texas
- North Carolina
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Arizona
- Washington
- Indiana
- Utah
- Idaho
The Larger Trend
This movement towards southern states is reflective of a larger trend of people reevaluating their lifestyles and seeking out places that offer not only more affordable living but also a better overall quality of life.
As more Americans flock to the Southeast and Southwest, the dynamics of the nation’s population are shifting, with implications for local economies, housing markets, and job opportunities.
The trend also underscores the growing appeal of states like South Carolina, which continues to be a hotspot for those looking to start fresh in 2025.
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