Where Are New Neighbors Coming From? U-Haul Reveals 2025 Moving Trends in Major U.S. Metros
Summer is moving season — and if you’ve noticed more U-Haul® trucks on your street lately, you’re not alone.Whether you’ve just unloaded a U-Haul yourself or watched new neighbors settle in next door, it’s clear that America is on the move.
According to U-Haul’s 2025 Midyear Migration Trends Report, nearly half of all residential moves in the U.S. happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It’s the busiest time of year for relocations, and this year, many of the country’s largest metro areas are seeing a noticeable influx of new arrivals.
A Shift Back to the Big Cities
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and changing lifestyles sparked an exodus from crowded urban areas. People sought out quieter, more affordable places to live — and the migration data reflected that.
Fast forward to 2025, and the trend is shifting again.
Major cities and their growing suburbs are back in demand. Whether it’s job opportunities, cultural amenities, or proximity to family and friends, the pull of urban life is regaining momentum. And U-Haul’s latest data offers a window into exactly where new residents are coming from.
Tracking Migration One Truck at a Time
To better understand these shifts, U-Haul analyzed its one-way customer transactions from January to July 2025. This includes moves involving trucks, trailers, and U-Box® moving containers heading into the 35 U.S. metro areas with populations over 2 million.
The result? A detailed picture of migration patterns — showing which cities are growing and, just as importantly, where those new residents are coming from.
Celebrating 80 Years of Moving America
This year marks 80 years of U-Haul helping Americans relocate, and their vast network of moves offers unmatched insight into real-time migration trends. While the full report dives deep into origin-destination data, the key takeaway is clear:
Big cities are back. From coast to coast, people are packing up and heading toward opportunity — and U-Haul is making it possible.
