New index shows people moving to almost any state other than Ohio, as the state struggles with jobs, taxes

The latest U-Haul “Growth Index” indicated that Americans preferred to permanently move to almost any place other than Ohio, which is not a fast-growing state with notoriously high property taxes.

The annual report, which analyzes more than 2.5 million one-way moving transactions, shows Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina as the top destinations for people relocating, while states in the Northeast and Midwest, including Ohio, lag behind.

Texas reclaimed the No. 1 spot this year after placing second in 2024. The state ranks highest on U-Haul’s index for the seventh time in the last decade. Florida and North Carolina had among the highest population movement rates, with Tennessee rising to fourth and South Carolina rounding out the top five.

Industry analysts note that cost of living, tax policies, and job opportunities are major factors people consider when choosing where to live. The states with the strongest inbound migration tend to have lower overall tax burdens and more favorable regulatory environments, according to Forbes.

“The path back toward historic levels of affordability will be gradual, but 2026 takes a solid step in the right direction,” Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said, according to The Hill. “For many buyers who have spent years navigating limited options and steep competition, a balanced market with more choices and slightly lower cost burdens can be a game-changer, even if conditions remain far from easy.”

The national trend also reflects broader demographic shifts. U-Haul’s data showed that California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts ranked at the bottom of the list of states gaining residents, largely due to their high costs and taxes.

It was previously reported that Ohio’s economy is struggling, with the Buckeye Institute ranking Ohio 35th in the Economic Freedom of North America 2025 index. The Columbus-based think tank cited weak job growth and limited labor-market freedom, noting that the state lost about 2,000 private-sector jobs in September.

The economic report comes amid ongoing debates among Ohio residents about local taxation. Even after Gov. Mike DeWine signed a series of property tax relief bills late last year, a vocal group of taxpayers continued to push to abolish property taxes altogether, arguing that current tax levels remain burdensome for homeowners.

State Rep. Dave Thomas, R-Jefferson, previously said ending property taxes is “very possible” but warned of challenges, including increased taxes elsewhere.

Advocates of full abolition are calling for a complete overhaul of the system, arguing that caps and review mechanisms do not go far enough for retirees and fixed-income residents who feel trapped by rising assessments. Critics of the proposition countered that eliminating property taxes without a replacement could lead to higher income or sales taxes.