1
Overview & Approach
The Florida Migration Tracker aggregates data from multiple authoritative sources to provide a comprehensive
picture of population movements into, out of, and within Florida. Our multi-source approach ensures accuracy
and captures different aspects of migration that single-source analyses might miss.
Why Multiple Sources?
No single data source captures the full migration picture. By combining moving company data (U-Haul, United Van Lines),
government statistics (Census Bureau, IRS), and real estate industry research (Miami Realtors), we create a more
complete and reliable view of Florida's migration trends.
2.5M+
Annual Transactions
We prioritize transparency over complexity. All data sources are publicly accessible, methodologies are documented,
and limitations are clearly stated. Our goal is to inform, not to promote any particular narrative about migration.
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Primary Data Sources
These sources form the foundation of our migration tracking. Each provides unique insights into different
aspects of population movement.
Annual ranking of states, metropolitan areas, and cities based on net gain or loss of one-way U-Haul
truck, trailer, and U-Box container rentals. Covers 2.5+ million transactions annually across 24,000+ locations.
Official government population estimates including components of change (births, deaths, domestic migration,
international migration). Provides county-level detail and demographic breakdowns.
Tax return migration data showing year-over-year address changes. Includes adjusted gross income (AGI)
flows between states and counties, providing economic context to migration patterns.
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Secondary & Supporting Sources
These sources provide additional validation, context, and granularity to our primary data.
Annual study tracking full-service moving patterns across 48 continental states. Includes demographic
data and reasons for moving, providing context beyond just volume numbers.
Regional migration analysis using CENSAI population intelligence data. Tracks county-to-county movements
and international buyer patterns specific to Southeast Florida.
Real-time moving search interest data aggregated from moving quote requests. Provides leading indicators
of migration intent before actual moves occur.
Source Comparison
| Source |
Type of Moves |
Update Frequency |
Granularity |
| U-Haul |
DIY moves |
Annual |
City level |
| Census Bureau |
All moves |
Annual |
County level |
| IRS |
Tax filers |
Annual (2yr lag) |
County level |
| United Van Lines |
Full-service moves |
Annual |
State level |
| Miami Realtors |
SE Florida specific |
Quarterly |
County/ZIP level |
| moveBuddha |
Search intent |
Monthly |
City level |
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Key Metrics Explained
Understanding what each metric means and how to interpret it correctly.
Growth Index Ranking
U-Haul's Growth Index ranks states, metros, and cities by net gain or loss of one-way customers.
A higher ranking indicates more arrivals than departures. This is a relative measure — a #1 ranking
doesn't mean the most total arrivals, but the best ratio of arrivals to departures.
Annual Movers Volume
The estimated number of people moving from one state to Florida annually. This figure is derived from
Census Bureau American Community Survey data and IRS migration statistics. Note that this includes
all movers, not just DIY moves tracked by moving companies.
Net International Migration
The difference between people immigrating to a county from other countries minus those emigrating to
other countries. Miami-Dade County's figure of 123,835 (2024) represents the highest net international
migration of any U.S. county.
Income Flow (AGI)
IRS data tracks the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) moving between states based on tax return address changes.
The $9.5 billion flowing from New York to Southeast Florida represents one of the largest income migration
corridors in the country.
Migration volume and migration rate tell different stories. Florida may have lower total migration
than California in raw numbers, but a much higher net gain because fewer people leave Florida
than leave California.
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Calculation Methods
How we derive aggregated statistics from multiple sources.
Origin State Rankings
Origin state rankings combine Census migration flow data with IRS county-to-county migration statistics.
When sources disagree, we weight Census data more heavily for total volumes and IRS data for income-related metrics.
City Growth Rankings
City rankings are taken directly from U-Haul's Growth Index, which provides the most granular city-level
data. We do not modify or recalculate these rankings; they represent U-Haul's methodology applied to their
proprietary transaction data.
Reasons for Moving
The percentage breakdown of moving motivations comes from United Van Lines' National Movers Study, which
surveys customers about their reasons for relocating. These percentages represent the full-service moving
segment and may differ from DIY movers.
| Reason |
Percentage |
Trend (YoY) |
| Family/Proximity |
29% |
↑ +3% |
| Job/Career |
26% |
↓ -2% |
| Retirement |
14% |
→ Stable |
| Cost of Living |
12% |
↑ +1% |
| Climate/Lifestyle |
10% |
→ Stable |
| Tax Benefits |
9% |
↑ +2% |
Quiz Algorithm
The "Where Should You Move?" quiz uses a simple scoring matrix matching user preferences to city attributes.
Each answer is tagged with relevant city characteristics, and final recommendations are based on the highest
match scores. This is a simplified recommendation tool, not a comprehensive analysis.
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Update Schedule
Our data is refreshed according to the release schedules of our primary sources.
January (Annual)
U-Haul Growth Index Release — Major update incorporating new city and state rankings.
Full refresh of growth metrics and city comparisons.
March (Annual)
Census Population Estimates — Update county-level population figures, net migration
components, and demographic breakdowns.
Quarterly
Miami Realtors Data — Refresh Southeast Florida specific migration patterns,
international buyer statistics, and ZIP-level trends.
December (Annual)
United Van Lines Study — Update reasons for moving percentages and demographic
patterns from full-service moving segment.
Ongoing (2-Year Lag)
IRS Migration Data — Incorporate income flow statistics when new years become available.
Currently using 2022 data (most recent available).
Current Data Vintage
Last full update: January 2026
Next scheduled update: February 2026 (quarterly refresh)
Primary data year: 2025 calendar year
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Limitations & Caveats
Understanding what our data can't tell you is as important as understanding what it can.
Moving company data captures DIY movers, which skews toward younger, more cost-conscious demographics.
Corporate relocations, military moves, and full-service movers may have different patterns.
Data Gaps
- International migration detail: While we report total international migration, country-of-origin breakdowns have limited availability.
- Rental vs. purchase: Most data doesn't distinguish between renters and homebuyers, who may have different patterns.
- Temporary moves: Snowbirds and seasonal residents may not be fully captured in one-way moving data.
- Intra-county moves: Local moves within the same county are largely excluded from interstate migration data.
Methodological Caveats
- U-Haul limitations: Rankings reflect their customer base, which may not represent all movers. Corporate and military moves use different services.
- Census estimates: Annual estimates are projections based on models; actual counts only occur every 10 years in the decennial census.
- IRS data lag: Tax return data is released approximately 2 years after the filing year, limiting timeliness.
- Survey sampling: Reasons for moving come from surveys of specific customer populations and may not generalize.
What This Data Cannot Predict
Migration patterns reflect past behavior, not future trends. Economic downturns, natural disasters, policy
changes, and housing market shifts can rapidly alter migration flows. Historical data should inform but not
dictate location decisions.
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References & Citations
Complete citations for all data sources referenced in the Florida Migration Tracker.
1. U-Haul International, Inc. (2026). U-Haul Growth Index: Top U.S. Growth States, Metros and Cities of 2025.
https://www.uhaul.com/About/Migration/
2. U.S. Census Bureau. (2025). Vintage 2024 Population Estimates: Components of Change.
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau. (2025). American Community Survey: Geographic Mobility.
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration.html
4. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). SOI Tax Stats - Migration Data.
https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-migration-data
5. United Van Lines. (2025). 49th Annual National Movers Study.
https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/movers-study
6. Miami Association of Realtors. (2025). Top Out-of-State Counties Driving Southeast Florida Migration in 2025.
https://www.miamirealtors.com/research/
7. moveBuddha. (2025). Moving Trends in 2025: Where Americans Want to Move Right Now.
https://www.movebuddha.com/blog/moving-trends/
8. Florida Realtors. (2026). Florida Cities Lead 2025 U.S. Migration Rankings.
https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/
