Montana No Longer a Hotspot for Relocation: What U-Haul’s Numbers Reveal

Within the last decade Montana was one of the most popular spots for people to relocate. The past couple of years we have seen a decline in the number of people who are willing to move here. Now there are even more numbers to back that up.

According to the moving company U-Haul, Montana is not nearly as popular as it was just a few years ago. Montana was the number one destination for people to relocate to during COVID. For me it's hard to believe that was already almost five years ago.

Read More: Montana Was the Number One Move-To Location During the Pandemic

U-Haul confirms what other reports indicate: Montana's growth is slowing. Montana ranks at number 24, dropping down from number 21. The most popular state people are moving to is South Carolina topping the list for the first time, seeing an increase from number four on the past list. Coming in at number two is Texas, followed by North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee rounds out the top five most popular states. Texas has ranked either number one or number two since 2016 and Florida has been in the top four since 2015.

California remains the top state people are moving away from, followed by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

This shifting migration trend highlights how economic, social, and lifestyle factors continue to influence where people choose to live. While Montana may no longer top the list, its appeal to those seeking open spaces and a slower pace of life remains strong. As the data evolves, it will be interesting to see how states adapt to these changes and what factors drive future choices for where people choose to live.