DIY moving-truck rental leader U-Haul’s 2026 midyear migration report in the United States shows a clear split by generation, with baby boomers and Gen X moving to the Southeast, while Gen Z is choosing large cities in Texas, California, and New York.
U-Haul ranked states and metros by their net gain of one-way trucks, trailers, and U-Box containers from July 2025 through June 2026. It then broke the results down by the generation of the person who signed the rental: baby boomers (born 1946-64), Gen X (1965-80), millennials (1981-96), and Gen Z (1997-2012). South Carolina and North Carolina led for boomers, and Florida led for Gen X. Every top-five metro for both groups was in Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, or Tennessee, including Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Fort Myers, and Phoenix.
Younger renters moved differently. California ranked No. 2 for Gen Z and No. 3 for millennials, even though the state has posted the largest net loss of one-way U-Haul customers of any state for six straight years. New York City was Gen Z’s top metro, ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Millennials led in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Orlando, and U-Haul attributed their Midwest gains in Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to career moves. Florida was the only state in the top 10 for all four generations. Millennials and Gen X account for more than 60% of U-Haul’s rentals.
IAM Member Impact: The data reflects only U-Haul’s DIY customers and therefore is not entirely representative of the professional moving market, although Southeast retirement markets from Myrtle Beach to Fort Myers may see steady inbound full-service and downsizing moves.