Connecticut dropped one position in the annual U-Haul Growth Index, ranking 42nd nationally as more residents moved out of the state than moved in during 2025, according to data released by the moving company Monday.
The Constitution State fell from 41st place in 2024, keeping it in the bottom 10 states nationally. Connecticut was last a net-gain state — with more U-Haul customers arriving than departing — in 2022.
U-Haul customers arriving in Connecticut accounted for 49% of all one-way traffic in and out of the state last year, while 51% left. Both arrivals and departures rose 1% year-over-year compared to 2024, according to Phoenix-based U-Haul International.
The annual rankings are determined by each state’s net gain or loss of customers using one-way U-Haul trucks, trailers and U-Box moving containers. The company compiles the index from more than 2.5 million one-way transactions across the U.S. and Canada.
Connecticut continued to rank better than several other Northeast states, with Massachusetts (49th), New York (47th), New Jersey (48th) and Pennsylvania (43rd) all ranking lower. California experienced the greatest net loss of residents for the sixth consecutive year, ranking 50th.
Texas reclaimed the top spot after ranking second in 2024, becoming the leading growth state for the seventh time in 10 years. Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina rounded out the top five — the same states as 2024 and 2023, though in a different order.
“We continue to find that life circumstances — marriage, children, a death in the family, college, jobs and other events — dictate the need for most moves,” said John Taylor, president of U-Haul International. “But other factors can be important to people who are looking to change their surroundings.”
Notable Connecticut growth markets include Bristol, Colchester, Columbia, Danbury, Groton, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Manchester, New Britain, New Hartford, New London, New Milford, Norwalk, Norwich, Pawcatuck, Shelton, Waterbury, West Hartford and Windsor Locks, according to U-Haul.
Oregon saw the largest year-over-year improvement, jumping 23 positions to rank 11th as a net-gain state in 2025 after ranking 34th as a net-loss state in 2024. Other notable gainers included Mississippi (up 18 spots), Colorado (up 17), Nevada (up 15), New Mexico (up 15), Louisiana (up 13) and Montana (up 12).
Ohio experienced the largest decline, falling 29 positions to 43rd as a net-loss state after ranking 14th as a net-gain state in 2024. Virginia (down 19 spots), Indiana (down 17), Iowa (down 12), Delaware (down 12) and Nebraska (down 10) also saw double-digit drops.
U-Haul noted that while growth index rankings may not directly correlate with population or economic growth, the data provides an effective gauge of how well states attract and retain residents.
The company said eight of the top 10 growth states are in the South, while eight of the bottom 10 are northern states. Seven of the top 10 growth states have Republican governors, while nine of the bottom 10 have Democrat governors, according to U-Haul’s analysis.
