In its newly released 2025 U-Haul Growth Index, U-Haul shows that Tennessee ranked No. 4 among all U.S. states for inbound moves, trailing only Texas, Florida, and North Carolina — a powerful signal of growing migration to the Volunteer State. This blog post breaks down the data, explores what it means for Nashville and Middle Tennessee relocation trends, and how this shapes the broader real-estate landscape. U-Haul International
Introduction
When I work with people relocating to Nashville and surrounding areas, one question I hear again and again is: “Why Tennessee? What’s driving all this growth?” Now, U-Haul’s 2025 Growth Index gives us some of the clearest third-party evidence yet that Tennessee isn’t just growing — it’s one of the fastest-gaining states in the country. According to the latest data, more people moved into Tennessee in 2025 than nearly all other states except three — a trend with real implications for housing, workforce growth, and community development. U-Haul International
What the U-Haul Data Shows
Here’s what U-Haul’s 2025 Growth Index found:
- Tennessee ranks No. 4 for inbound moves nationwide — meaning more people brought U-Haul one-way rentals to Tennessee than almost anywhere else in the U.S. last year. U-Haul International
- Only Texas, Florida, and North Carolina ranked higher, reflecting broad regional migration trends toward the Sun Belt. U-Haul International
- The state’s strong inbound mobility contrasts with places like California — which consistently ranks among the bottom in inbound movers — highlighting how location decisions are shifting around quality of life and cost considerations. U-Haul International
U-Haul’s index looks at millions of one-way moves each year, making it one of the strongest indicators of where real people are relocating — not just where they say they want to move. U-Haul International
Middle Tennessee as a Primary Draw
U-Haul’s 2025 mid-year migration trends (January through July) — a separate but related snapshot — show that people moving to Middle Tennessee most commonly came from:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Texas
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- California
- Illinois
- Indiana https://www.wsmv.com
Importantly, the data shows not just how many people are choosing Tennessee, but where they’re coming from. That reflects the diverse appeal of Middle Tennessee — from tax advantages and lower cost of living to job growth and strong lifestyle amenities. https://www.wsmv.com
What This Means for Relocation and Real Estate
1. Sustained Demand for Housing
Higher inbound moves usually correlate with increased housing demand — especially in vibrant job centers like Nashville and its surrounding communities. As more people relocate here, it can create pressure on inventory, especially in desirable neighborhoods.
2. Workforce Growth & Economic Opportunity
Inflow from states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas brings new workers — many with skills in healthcare, tech, corporate services, and creative industries. This helps fuel local business expansion and job diversity.
3. Broader Lifestyle Shift
The diversity of origin states in U-Haul data highlights that Tennessee appeals to a wide range of households — from retirees seeking lower taxes to professionals relocating for remote or hybrid work flexibility.
Local Insight: Nashville’s Role in This Trend
Nashville consistently shows up in U-Haul’s top U.S. growth metros rankings — the most recent index has Nashville among the top growth metropolitan areas for net inbound U-Haul customers in 2025. U-Haul International
This isn’t just about trucks arriving — it’s about people building lives here, buying homes, starting businesses, and contributing to community life. While the broader Tennessee trend is strong, Middle Tennessee — and especially Nashville — is a focal point of where much of the state’s migration activity is happening.
FAQs About Tennessee’s Migration Trends
1. What exactly is the U-Haul Growth Index? It’s an annual ranking based on one-way truck, trailer, and U-Box container rentals, showing net inbound versus outbound moves across states and metros — a leading indicator of migration patterns. U-Haul International
2. Does U-Haul data measure total population change? No — it measures moving activity, which correlates strongly with relocation choices but isn’t a literal population count. It’s one of the best real-world signals of people’s moving behavior.
3. Why is Tennessee attractive to movers? Factors include lower taxes than many states, vibrant job markets (Nashville, tech and healthcare hubs), relatively affordable housing compared to coastal metros, and quality of life. Migration from many regions underscores this appeal.
4. Are these trends consistent year over year? Yes — Tennessee’s position in the top growth rankings has strengthened over recent years, reflecting a durable pattern. U-Haul International
5. Does migrating to Tennessee affect housing prices? Increased demand typically supports price growth, especially in high-demand neighborhoods, though local market dynamics vary by area.
6. Are people moving within Tennessee too? Absolutely — Tennessee also sees strong intra-state moves as people relocate for jobs, lifestyle, or schools.
7. Which Tennessee areas are gaining the most movers? While Nashville is the biggest growth engine, secondary markets like Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Knoxville are also popular destinations.
Written by Gabriela Lira, a Nashville-based real estate advisor with The Lira Group at Compass. Gabriela specializes in luxury homes and corporate relocation, helping buyers and sellers navigate moves with clarity, strategy, and confidence throughout Nashville and the surrounding areas.
