Florida Gov. DeSantis touts new U-Haul report. Here’s why

This week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to social media to tout a new report by moving company U-Haul.

The report, which was published on Monday, explores which states had the greatest amount of in-migration using the “U-Haul Growth Index.”

Researchers said that the index was compiled by ranking states on how many customers rented a one-way truck-trailer or U-Box moving containers in one state and dropped off their equipment in another state.

“While rankings may not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the U-Haul Growth Index is an effective gauge of how well states, metros and cities are attracting and maintaining residents,” the study reads.

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According to the study, Texas took the No. 1 spot for 2025, but the Sunshine State came in just one place lower at No. 2. The report also notes that Florida has never ranked below the top 4 since the ranking started in 2015.

“Florida... saw arrivals account for 50.6% of all one-way traffic in and out of the state last year (49.4% leaving) to climb two spots,” the study continues. “Compared to 2024, customers coming to Florida rose 2% YOY while departures rose 1% YOY.”

DeSantis touted this fact on X.com on Monday night, also pointing to the fact that California ranked last for the sixth consecutive year.

The most recent federal data supports the results of the study, showing that millions of people have moved to Florida in recent years, with fewer people deciding to leave.

That said, while over 39,000 California residents moved to Florida in 2024, roughly 19,000 people chose to move from Florida to California instead.

Regardless, the full U-Haul ranking is as follows: