In a recent announcement, U-Haul revealed the most popular destinations for movers in 2023, and Florida cities are prominently featured on the list. According to U-Haul’s Growth Index, the Sunshine State has seen a notable influx of residents as people load up their one-way trucks and head south.
Among the top movers is the Palm Bay-Melbourne area, which saw a significant increase in arrivals. The number of people arriving in Palm Bay-Melbourne via one-way U-Haul trucks surged by 54.7% in 2023, compared to a 45.3% increase in departures. The area’s affordability compared to many northern cities is a key factor driving this trend. Cal Conner, President of U-Haul Company of Eastern Florida, attributes this growth to the region’s expanding job market. “The Space Coast has many companies investing in this region and creating jobs, such as Embraer, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies,” Conner explained.
Lakeland, another standout city in Florida, continues to attract new residents. Its central location—32 miles northeast of Tampa and 49 miles southwest of Orlando—makes it an ideal spot for those seeking proximity to major cities while enjoying a more affordable lifestyle. The city also offers more spacious housing options, providing greater value for buyers.
Florida has secured the second spot in U-Haul’s ranking of growth states, marking seven consecutive years in the top three. The state also leads with the most cities represented in the rankings, boasting seven entries. This is a notable increase from the previous year, when only four Florida cities made the top 25. The U-Haul Growth Index measures the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks arriving in versus departing from a city or state over the course of a year.
Despite the evident surge in relocations to Florida, which has contributed to increased traffic congestion, several cities have emerged as key hotspots for movers:
- Palm Bay – Melbourne (up one spot from last year)
- Ocala
- Sarasota-Bradenton
- Kissimmee-St. Cloud
- Panama City
- North Port
- Lakeland (previously ranked fourth in 2022)
For more details, including the full list of growth states for 2023, you can visit U-Haul’s official report.
