California Ranks Last In Growth For The Sixth Consecutive Year — Study Shows Where And Why People Are Leaving

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California has long been seen as a place where people come to chase opportunities thanks to the entertainment industry, the year-long sunshine, and the promise of a better lifestyle. But year after year, new migration data suggests that more people are packing up and leaving the state than moving in.

In facct, according to the newly released U-Haul Growth Index, California ranked last in the country for in-migration for the sixth year in a row.

The report looks at more than 2.5 million one-way U-Haul moves and shows that the Golden State had the largest net loss of residents using do-it-yourself moving equipment. But at the same time, there’s one small bright spot: the state lost fewer residents in 2025 than in 2024, hinting that the pace of people leaving may be slowing, even if it hasn’t reversed.

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Texas claimed the top spot as the fastest-growing state, followed by Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, all places that continue to attract movers looking for lower costs and more available space. California landed in the bottom five alongside Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, a group of states that share high housing costs and dense urban areas.

For many Californians, the reasons for leaving feel familiar, as housing remains expensive, especially in L.A. County and the Bay Area. Higher insurance rates, everyday costs, and the rise of remote work have made it easier for people to live elsewhere without giving up their jobs.

Here’s how the full 2025 U-Haul Growth Index ranks all 50 states, from the fastest-growing to the biggest net-loss state:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. North Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. South Carolina
6. Washington
7. Arizona
8. Idaho
9. Alabama
10. Georgia
11. Oregon
12. Montana
13. Arkansas
14. Oklahoma
15. Maine
16. Utah
17. Kentucky
18. South Dakota
19. Minnesota
20. Nevada
21. Mississippi
22. New Mexico
23. Colorado
24. Vermont
25. Indiana
26. Wisconsin
27. Alaska
28. Hawaii
29. Missouri
30. Wyoming
31. Louisiana
32. New Hampshire
33. Delaware
34. West Virginia
35. Iowa
36. Virginia
37. Kansas
38. North Dakota
39. Nebraska
40. Rhode Island
41. Michigan
42. Connecticut
43. Ohio
44. Pennsylvania
45. Maryland
46. Massachusetts
47. New York
48. New Jersey
49. Illinois
50. California