Raleigh ranks among the fastest-growing US metros, report says. See the full list
U-Haul rental data showed strong inflows to the Raleigh area in 2025, placing it among the fastest growing metros in the U.S., according to a recent analysis.
Home to nearly 500,000 residents, Raleigh saw the eighth-highest net gain of one-way U-Haul customers in 2025, the moving company said in its latest growth index.
Garner, a nearby suburb, also placed in the top 25 growth cities, data show.
Published Tuesday, Jan. 6, the migration report ranked the top U.S. metros and city propers by their net growth. U-Haul looked at “well over 2.5 million” one-way equipment rentals to get a sense of where people were moving (or leaving) in 2025.
Here’s what it found:
What are the top growth metros in the U.S.?
The Raleigh area was an attractive spot for movers and landed among the top 10 growth metros, joining Charlotte, Charleston and Atlanta, data show.
It ranked at No. 8 on the 2025 U-Haul Growth Index, falling one spot from the year before. Here’s how it stacked up against other major metros:
- Dallas, Texas (No. 1)
- Houston, Texas (No. 2)
- Austin, Texas (No. 3)
- Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 4)
- Phoenix, Arizona (No. 5)
- Nashville, Tennessee (No. 6)
- Charleston, South Carolina (No. 7)
- Raleigh, North Carolina (No. 8)
- Atlanta, Georgia (No. 9)
- Brownsville & McAllen, Texas (No. 10)
What are the top growth cities in the U.S.?
While it wasn’t a leading growth city, Garner placed 22nd among city propers that saw an influx of “do-it-yourself movers,” according to the U-Haul report.
Several other Southern cities (more than half in Florida) landed in the Top 10:
- Ocala, Florida (No. 1)
- North Port, Florida (No. 2)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (No. 3)
- Kissimmee, Florida (No. 4)
- Clermont, Florida (No. 5)
- McKinney, Texas (No. 6)
- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (No. 7)
- St. Augustine, Florida (No. 8)
- Daytona Beach, Florida (No. 9)
- Panama City, Florida (No. 10)
How U-Haul came up with the rankings
The U-Haul Growth Index is made up of more than 2.5 million annual one-way moves in the U.S. and Canada, according to the analysis.
For the report, the moving company ranked U.S. cities and metro areas “by their net gain (or loss) of customers” who rented a one-way truck, trailer or moving container in one city or metro and dropped off the equipment in another. Interstate and intrastate moves were also included.
“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,” U-Haul said.
Who’s moving to North Carolina?
A November report by RetirementLiving.com found the Tar Heel state remains popular place to put down roots for everyone from Gen Z’ers to older adults.
North Carolina was among states with the most arrivals — a whopping 299,782 newcomers in 2025, according to the retirement planning website. It saw an exit of 241,195 people, resulting in a net migration of 58,587.
“The Silent Generation has the lowest moving numbers of any generation, though those 75 and over still follow the trend of moving to Southern states like Florida, Texas and the Carolinas,” Retirement Living said in its report.
The analysis used demographic segments defined by the U.S. Census, which don’t always align with commonly accepted generational age ranges. Here’s the breakdown:
- Gen Z (ages 18-24) net migration: 15,333
- Millennials (ages 25-44) net migration: N/A
- Gen X (ages 25-59) net migration: 11,260
- Baby Boomers (ages 60-74) net migration: 7,654
- Silent Generation (ages 75+) net migration: 2,992
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Raleigh ranks among the fastest-growing US metros, report says. See the full list."