Idaho is U-Haul No. 6 growth state

Idaho is the No. 6 growth state in the U.S., rising four spots from its previous ranking, according to the U-Haul Growth Index analyzing one-way customer moves during 2023.

One-way U-Haul customers arriving in Idaho fell nearly 6% from 2022, but departures fell more than 7% as overall moving traffic slowed, U-Haul reported in a Monday news release.

Do-it-yourself movers arriving in Idaho accounted for 51.3% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in and out of the Gem State (48.7% departures) to keep it a top-10 growth state for the third consecutive year.

Idaho’s top growth cities are Boise and Nampa. Other notable net-gain markets include Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Kuna, Twin Falls, Meridian, Blackfoot, Mountain Home and Lewiston.

“Idaho is a great place to start a career,” Seth McIntier, U-Haul Company of Idaho president, said in the news release. “When people decide to move, it’s often because of the job and housing markets. We have both — jobs and affordable homes."

He said the entrepreneurial spirit is strong as so many young people are moving to Idaho.

“Idaho, especially Boise, offers a great job market," McIntier said. "The St. Luke’s Health System employs more than 17,000 people. They keep growing, and they began construction in September to expand their campus in downtown Boise. Idaho is also home to Albertsons, a Boise-based grocery chain that offers tons of positions at stores and its headquarters.”

The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled according to the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks, trailers and U-Box moving containers arriving in a city or state, versus departing from that city or state, in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way U-Haul customer transactions that occur annually across the U.S. and Canada.

Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee account for the top five growth states. California ranks 50th for the fourth year in a row with the largest net loss of one-way U-Haul customers.