Cities in Texas and Florida are among the top locations Americans are moving to

For the third straight year, Houston maintained its position as the top relocation destination, closely followed by San Antonio, which moved up from No. 9^Th last year. The addition of Tampa, which has been off the list since 2020, gave Florida new representation on this year's list. Since the list was introduced in 2010, Texas and Florida have maintained their representation, while Midwestern states have since phased it out.

That's according to data from Penske Truck Rental's annual Top Moving Destinations list, which shows the 10 cities where consumers moved most often based on one-way truck rentals in 2023. In addition to the 14^Th Annually, Penske released the results of a national consumer survey, Settling In: A Survey of Consumer Moving Trends, which shows new insights into people's reasons for moving and the importance of establishing a sense of community in their new place of residence. Notably, 57% of consumers prefer to rent their own moving truck and only 24% said they would prefer to hire a moving company.

Top 10 moving destinations for 2023 (last year's ranking):

1. Houston, Texas (1)
2. San Antonio, Texas (9)
3. Charlotte, NC (6)
4. Atlanta, GA (5)
5. Las Vegas, Nevada (2)
6. Dallas, Texas (7)
7. Orlando, Florida (3)
8. Austin, Texas (10)
9. Tampa, Florida (New! Has not been ranked since the 2020 list)
10. Jacksonville, Florida (8)

“It’s fascinating to see how the top moving destinations are developing and where our customers are headed. Because we know how hectic moving can be, we put our customers’ needs first,” said Kevin Malloy, senior vice president of Penske Truck Rental. “Penske is here to make your move as smooth as possible, offering first-class rental services and support every step of the way.”

The survey asked consumers to reflect on their moving decisions and their adjustment to the new city to understand the impact of moving on happiness. Respondents appear to be optimistic about their decision to move: 73% said they are happier in their new city than in their previous location.

Why people move
Proximity to family (34%), lower cost of living (32%) and desire for more space (27%) were the top reasons consumers were forced to move over the past five years. Employment was a significant factor in moving into the top 10 relocation destinations. Respondents from Nevada (40%), North Carolina (37%) and Georgia (39%) said better employment opportunities were the reason for their decision to move.

Settling in new cities
The survey found that 32% of consumers who recently moved had the biggest challenge adjusting to their new neighborhood during their move. However, according to 72% of respondents, establishing a consistent routine helped them settle in. Additionally, consumers are eager to be active in their new cities, as 88% say it is important to feel a sense of community where they live.

With many consumers planning to move during the summer months, the survey highlights activities that helped people build a sense of community and acclimate to their new cities. Top activities include exploring new restaurants and shops (57%), meeting neighbors (48%), discovering new parks and outdoor spaces (47%) and attending local events (35%).