According to data compiled by U-Haul, a leading provider of moving equipment and services, there was a trend of migration out of California and Illinois in 2022. Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas were the preferred destinations for those making the move. The trend began during the COVID-19 pandemic, but remained strong in 2022, although not at the same fast pace as during the pandemic.
U-Haul’s expansive network, which covers all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces, makes it a leading authority on migration trends. The company’s transactional data shows that the demand for its equipment was strongest out of California, Illinois, and New York.
“The 2022 trends in migration followed very similar patterns to 2021 with Texas, Florida, the Carolinas and the Southwest continuing to see solid growth,” stated John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president. “We still have areas with strong demand for one-way rentals. While overall migration in 2021 was record-breaking, we continue to experience significant customer demand to move out of some geographic areas to destinations at the top of our growth list.”
The reasons for the migration out of California and Illinois are likely varied and could include factors such as the cost of living, job opportunities, and quality of life. Regardless of the motivations, it is clear that there was significant movement out of these states in 2022.
