The vibrant skyline of Boston is a hub for new residents, as indicated by U-Haul's migration trends.
The U-Haul midyear migration trends report highlights that New York is the top origin state for individuals relocating to Boston. Significant movements are observed from surrounding Northeast and Southeastern states. The report also reveals that while the influx of newcomers is notable, Massachusetts faces challenges regarding net migration, holding a low growth index ranking. The state is experiencing a shift in immigration patterns while focusing on improving affordability, housing supply, and transportation to retain residents.
U-Haul’s midyear migration trends report has revealed the top origins for individuals and families moving to Boston in 2025, highlighting significant trends in domestic relocations across the United States. New York emerged as the leading origin state, with many newcomers also hailing from neighboring states in the Northeast and Southeastern regions.
The report analyzed one-way customer transactions between January and July 2025, focusing on moves that are most prevalent during the warmer months, specifically between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when nearly half of all residential moves typically occur. U-Haul tracked the flow of trucks, trailers, and moving containers to Boston from various states and cities, providing valuable insights into current migration patterns.
According to the U-Haul report, the top states from which customers are moving to Boston, excluding Massachusetts, include:
Movers are primarily arriving in Boston from major metropolitan areas, including:
Within Massachusetts, various cities also contributed to the movement towards Boston. The top city for U-Haul customers relocating to Boston was Worcester, followed by:
Interestingly, Massachusetts itself ranked as the eighth highest source for U-Haul trucks arriving in Philadelphia, reflecting its position as a significant transit point in the region. Furthermore, New York City topped the list of destinations for U-Haul customers leaving Massachusetts, with the state ranking third in sending trucks to New York City.
Despite the influx of new residents in Boston, Massachusetts faces a net migration challenge. It remains the second-least popular state for domestic movers, holding the 49th position on U-Haul’s Growth Index. California ranks last in this index at 50th. This index is a reflection of the ratio between individuals moving
into and out of the state.
Interestingly, departures from Massachusetts have seen a slight decrease, dropping by 4%, while arrivals fell by 3.5% in the past year. This state continues to experience a strong migration trend towards southern states, with a substantial net loss of approximately 90,372 individuals moving to Florida from 2010 to 2023.
On a positive note, Massachusetts noted an increase in foreign immigration, welcoming 50,000 new foreign immigrants in 2023, which has contributed to a growth in the population despite domestic outmigration concerns. This coincides with a general decline in domestic outmigration approaching pre-pandemic levels.
In order to improve its attractiveness to both current and potential residents, Massachusetts is focusing on addressing key issues such as \ affordability, housing supply, and public transportation. As the state works towards making these improvements, it aims to bolster its growth and retention of residents amid changing migration trends.
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