The Palmetto State has officially become the go-to destination for Americans packing up and starting over, according to a new study from U-Haul that analyzes data from 2024.
South Carolina climbed to the top spot in the moving company’s annual ranking, knocking Texas into second place after the Lone Star State’s three-year reign.
Meanwhile, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee rounded out the top five. The study, which analyzed more than 2.5 million U-Haul one-way trips, revealed a continuing trend: Americans are heading south more and more.
“State-by-state transactions from last year reaffirm customer trends that have been evident for some time,” said John “JT” Taylor, U-Haul’s international president.
“Migration to the Southeast and Southwest continues as families evaluate their cost of living, employment opportunities, quality of life and other factors that influence relocation to a new state.”
Known for its charm, beaches and low cost of living, South Carolina has become a magnet for retirees and young families.
Myrtle Beach, in particular, has seen explosive growth.
The beach hotspot, famous for its 60-mile stretch of sand, now boasts the nation’s fastest-growing population of residents over 65, with a staggering 23% increase from 2020 to 2023, according to the Bureau of US Census.
While the South enjoys an influx of new residents, other regions are seeing a mass exodus. California continues to lead the pack of states people are fleeing, ranking 50th for the fifth year in a row.
Other states hit hard by immigration include New York, which fell to its lowest position on the list in a decade, as well as Illinois, Louisiana and South Dakota.
Reasons include high costs, lack of jobs and — especially in the case of Louisiana — extreme weather.
On the other hand, states like Oklahoma, Indiana and Maine experienced significant increases in popularity, climbing 30, 19 and 18 points respectively.
However, western states such as Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming and New Mexico saw their rankings drop in 2024, with Colorado falling 31 spots.
The migration patterns match broader studies that show Americans are favoring cheaper living, lower taxes and better housing options.
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