Many new Houston residents are relocating from Southern cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, according to a U-Haul report.
HOUSTON — As thousands of people relocate during peak moving season, a new U-Haul® report offers insight into where many of Houston’s newest residents are coming from.
U-Haul analyzed one-way truck, trailer, and U-Box® container rentals from January to July 2025 to identify the top origins of customers moving to 35 of the largest metro areas in the U.S., including Houston.
According to the report, many of the do-it-yourself movers arriving in Houston came from other major cities in the South and Southeast.
Top states people moved from to Houston (excluding Texas)
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Georgia
- California
- Oklahoma
- Colorado
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Arizona
- Alabama
Top metro areas outside Texas sending residents to Houston
- New Orleans, LA
- Atlanta, GA
- Miami, FL
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Oklahoma City, OK
Top metro areas within Texas sending residents to Houston
- Dallas
- Austin
- San Antonio
- Brownsville
- Beaumont
U-Haul notes that nearly half of all residential moves in the U.S. happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day. As big cities and suburbs rebound from pandemic-era migration trends, metro areas like Houston are once again seeing strong inflows of new arrivals.
The moving giant is celebrating 80 years of “Moving America” and says this midyear data reflects where people are hoping to build better lives.