In 2023, California topped U-Haul’s Growth Index for the fourth consecutive year due to the largest net outbound movers.
Texas has remained the leading destination for movers in the past three years.
The exodus from California is attributed to factors such as left-leaning policies, high taxes, increasing regulations, and cost of living.
The state lost over 75,000 people in 2023, with Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee being top destinations for relocating Californians.
U-Haul’s Growth Index serves as an indicator of a state or city’s ability to attract and retain residents.
“While one-way transactions in 2023 remained below the record-breaking levels we witnessed immediately following the pandemic, we continued to see many of the same geographical trends from U-Haul customers moving between states,” John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president stated.
“All you have to do is look at the continuing move left by California and you can see why middle-class and upper-class taxpayers — the producers — are leaving,” Terry Gilliam said.
“The gas tax — already the highest in the country — goes up every July 1st. Most utilities just received permission for a double-digit increase in rates, which are already more than double the national average for rates,” he added.
“Add to the above the cost of ever-increasing regulations, continuing resentment over pandemic mandates — with possibly more to come — transgender discussions with young children in school, and talk of raising taxes even more to cover an inept state government’s $68 billion deficit.”
Census data also shows population declines in other blue states.
“While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the U-Haul Growth Index is an effective gauge of how well states and cities are attracting and maintaining residents,” the report noted.
