The Palmetto State has officially become the go-to destination for Americans packing up and starting fresh, according to a new study from U-Haul that analyzes data from 2024.
South Carolina climbed to the top spot on the moving company’s annual ranking, knocking Texas to 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 one-way U-Haul trips, revealed a continuing trend: Americans are increasingly heading south.
“State-to-state transactions from the past year reaffirm customer tendencies that have been pronounced for some time,” said John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul’s international president.
“Migration to the Southeast and Southwest continues as families gauge their cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life and other factors that go into relocating 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 alike.
Myrtle Beach, in particular, has seen explosive growth.
The beachfront 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 US Census Bureau.
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 running.
Other states hit hard by outmigration include New York, which dropped to its lowest position on the list in a decade, as well as Illinois, Louisiana and South Dakota.
The reasons include high costs, lack of jobs and — especially in the case of Louisiana — extreme weather.
On the flip side, states like Oklahoma, Indiana and Maine experienced significant surges in popularity, climbing 30, 19 and 18 spots, respectively.
However, western states like Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming and New Mexico saw their rankings plummet in 2024, with Colorado dropping a staggering 31 places.
The migration patterns align with broader studies showing Americans are favoring cheaper living, lower taxes and better housing options.
