The U-Haul Report Every REALTORⓇ Should Know in 2026

As we kick off 2026, this is your reminder: goal setting only works if you track and act on it. Whether you set New Year’s resolutions or structured business goals, now is the time to revisit them, measure progress, and stay accountable.

But beyond your personal goals, there’s a powerful market insight every REALTORⓇ should be paying attention to…

What the U-Haul Growth Index Reveals

Each year, U-Haul releases its Growth Index Report, analyzing millions of one-way truck rentals to determine where people are moving to and from.

In simple terms:

• If someone rents a truck in Illinois and drops it off in Texas → that counts as a move to Texas.

This data gives us real, behavior-based migration trends—not just opinions.

Top 5 States People Are Moving To

According to the latest report:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. North Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. South Carolina

Top 5 States People Are Moving From

1. California
2. Illinois
3. New Jersey
4. New York
5. Massachusetts

What This Means for REALTORSⓇ

This isn’t just interesting—it’s strategic.

• Migration = Opportunity
  If people are leaving your market, you need to position yourself as the expert who can help them transition.
• Referral Business is Huge
  Outbound markets like Illinois and California should be building strong referral networks in inbound states like Texas and Florida.

• Content Goldmine
  This data is perfect for videos, emails, and social posts:

  “Where are people moving in 2026—and why it matters for your home value”

• Understand Buyer Motivation
  Many moves are tied to affordability, taxes, lifestyle, and remote work flexibility.

Final Thought

The agents who win in 2026 aren’t just reacting to the market—they’re interpreting the data and educating their clients.

So revisit your goals, stay consistent with your actions, and leverage insights like the U-Haul report to position yourself as the local market authority.

Because remember…

👉 It’s not the market—it’s the marketing.

Michael LaFido
Founder & CEO | Luxury Listing Specialist Designation (LUXE)
Michael@MarketingLuxuryGroup.com
LuxuryListingSpecialist.com
LuxurySpecialistGear.com

Click HERE to see where Michael is speaking next or where his next LUXE class will be.