Tracking where Americans relocate typically involves Census surveys or IRS migration records. But there’s a more immediate indicator hiding in plain sight: the orange and white moving trucks on our highways.
U-Haul’s Growth Index offers a real-time alternative to traditional migration data. The company tracks one-way truck and trailer rentals across more than 24,000 locations nationwide, calculating which cities gain or lose residents based on where equipment is picked up versus dropped off. With over 2.5 million annual transactions feeding the index, the data reveals clear patterns – and reflects the past 12 months rather than lagging years behind like Census figures.
The 2025 Results: Florida Claims 8 of the Top 10 Growth Cities
The findings leave little room for interpretation: Florida dominates the Growth Cities rankings like no other state.
Ocala leads the nation for the second consecutive year (and third time in four years), followed by North Port at number two. Kissimmee and Clermont round out Florida’s top-five presence alongside Myrtle Beach, SC. Fort Lauderdale, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, and Panama City claim positions six through ten.
Altogether, twelve of the top 25 growth cities are in Florida, including North Fort Myers, Leesburg, Sarasota, and St. Cloud. Several cities are making their U-Haul Growth Index debut – St. Augustine and Leesburg among them – pointing to emerging growth corridors not yet captured by traditional data sources.
What This Means for Commercial Real Estate
Population growth drives commercial real estate demand. New residents need places to shop, work, receive healthcare, and recreate. The U-Haul data confirms that sustained inbound migration is fueling expansion opportunities across Florida’s diverse markets.
The concentration of growth in mid-sized Florida cities carries particular significance for commercial real estate. These markets often present opportunities where population growth outpaces commercial inventory – creating demand for retail, medical office, industrial, and multifamily development.
For investors, developers, and tenants, this data functions as a leading indicator, signaling where demand is heading before it appears in occupancy statistics or rent growth figures.
Florida presents exceptional opportunities across all commercial property types. The state’s consistent representation across multiple growth metrics – from top-tier metros to developing cities—creates unique, untapped, and diverse investment landscapes.
LQ Commercial is at the forefront of these trends.
Let’s start a cash flow conversation to navigate Florida’s commercial landscapes together.
LQ Commercial – Research | research@lqcre.com | 813.736.1240 | lqcre.com/research
