According to data collected by U-Haul, not many people who are relocating are choosing to settle in the Old Line State. Maryland came in 42nd out of 50 states in what the company calls its “Growth Index” data analyzing one-way customer transactions in 2024.
The moving and trucking company released the latest migration trends data based on its customers’ one-way moves throughout the United States in 2024. According to U-Haul data, Maryland did rise two spots from its 2023 ranking, but the company’s arrivals into Maryland fell 1%. Departures from Maryland also fell 1%, indicating an overall slowing of traffic in and out of the state.
South Carolina jumped up three spots to claim the No. 1 ranking growth state, dethroning Texas (which came in second this time around).
U-Haul ranks growth states based on each state’s net gain or loss of one-way equipment from customer transactions in a calendar year. The Growth Index is based on data from more than 2.5 million one-way truck, trailer, and U-Box portable moving container transactions that take place every year across the United States and Canada. In 2018, Maryland was a net gain state, with more U-Haul arrivals than departures.
In 2024, the cities in Maryland with the most growth include Bel Air, Brandywine, Dundalk, Ellicott City, Frederick, Hagerstown, La Plata, Salisbury, Silver Spring, Towson, Waldorf and Woodlawn.
In addition to South Carolina and Texas, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th place rankings were held by North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee, respectively. These are the same top five as 2023, albeit in a slightly different order.
The bottom five for growth included California, ranking 50th for the fifth year in a row, as well as Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
These rankings do not directly correlate to population or economic growth, but U-Haul touts it as an “effective gauge of how well states and cities are attracting and maintaining residents.” The company operates in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. Of course, their rankings do not take into consideration those who move to Maryland using means other than U-Haul.
In fact, the U.S. Census shows that between the years 2010 and 2022, Maryland’s population increased 11 out of those 12 years. As U-Haul notes, this is not the same thing as relocating to Maryland from another state. It simply tells a slightly different story than one of people who relocate.
Find past growth rankings and reports by clicking this link.
