In 2024, U-Haul ranked South Carolina as the top state for growth in the United States.

In 2024, Americans migrated to southern states, with South Carolina being the most popular destination, according to U-Haul's Growth Index.

According to a report published Thursday, 51.7% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in and out of the state were accounted for by arrivals.

Last year, Texas, which had been the top U-Haul growth state for three consecutive years, dropped to second place, while North Carolina moved up to third rank.

"Jason Hardin, U-Haul's area vice president for the Carolinas and Georgia, stated that the Carolinas are an excellent place to reside. The region boasts southern hospitality, a rich history, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, and a low cost of living."

In California, the outlook was less sunny, as the state ranked last on U-Haul's Growth Index for the fifth consecutive year.

U-Haul calculates its net gain or loss of customers in each state through one-way rentals. The company reports over 2.5 million one-way truck, trailer, and moving container transactions annually across all 50 states.

U-Haul International president John "J.T." Taylor stated that transactions from 2024 "confirm customer tendencies that have been evident for some time."

"Taylor stated that families are continuing to migrate to the Southeast and Southwest as they assess their cost of living, job prospects, quality of life, and other factors. On the other hand, out-migration is still prevalent in several markets across the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, particularly in California."

Among the top 10 growth states, Florida ranked fourth and Tennessee fifth. The remaining states in the top 10 were Arizona, Washington, Indiana, Utah, and Idaho.

Despite a three-year decline, California's population grew last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The Growth Index of the company provides insight into the effectiveness of states and cities in attracting and retaining residents.

Many people moving to the Carolinas are from the Northeast for warmer weather and from California for a lower cost of living, as stated by Hardin.

"You wouldn't want to move here," Hardin stated in a U-Haul video.

Hardin emphasized the Carolinas' rich entertainment and sports offerings, as well as the growth in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology jobs.

In September, Google unveiled a $3.3 billion plan to expand an existing data center and establish two new campuses, following Meta's announcement in August of plans to construct its first South Carolina data center.

The state has been striving to establish itself as a leading force in the global electric vehicle and battery production industry.