U-Haul data: Where Ohio newcomers are moving from and residents are moving to

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio residents have likely seen U-Haul trucks in their neighborhoods this summer, as peak moving season is underway. But where are newcomers coming from? 

Nearly half of all residential moves in the United States occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year, according to U-Haul. The company analyzed data regarding its one-way rentals – including trucks, trailers and moving containers – for 35 U.S. cities with a population over 2 million, to find where residents moved to and from during the first half of 2025. 

The report found Columbus’ newest residents who came from out of state mostly moved from Florida, followed by Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. 

When it comes to specific metropolitan areas outside of Ohio, Columbus saw the most new residents from Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, according to U-Haul. Within Ohio, the largest number of Columbus movers came from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron and Toledo. The report does not provide any specific numbers or rank new residents from in-state and out-of-state side by side. 

U-Haul also revealed the states and cities from which residents were moving to Ohio’s other two largest cities: Cincinnati and Cleveland. 

Where Cincinnati newcomers are coming from 

1. Kentucky
2. Indiana
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Michigan
6. Illinois
7. Texas 
8. Georgia
9. North Carolina
10. Pennsylvania 

The top five out-of-state cities where residents are moving from are Lexington, Kentucky; Indianapolis; Louisville, Kentucky; Chicago and Detroit. Cincinnati residents from within Ohio mostly moved from Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, Akron and Toledo. 

Where Cleveland newcomers are coming from

1. Michigan
2. Florida
3. Pennsylvania
4. Illinois
5. New York
6. Indiana
7. North Carolina
8. Texas
9. Virginia
10. Kentucky

The cities outside of Ohio where Cleveland saw the most newcomers from include Detroit; Chicago; Pittsburgh; Washington, D.C.; and Tampa, Florida. When it comes to movers from within the state, the most people came from Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Dayton. 

When Ohio residents move, they often don’t go far, U-Haul data shows. Ohio placed among the top 10 origin states for movers in 11 cities, with other Midwestern states ranking the highest, including:

1. Detroit (No. 1)
2. Pittsburgh (No. 1)
3. Indianapolis (No. 2)
4. Chicago (No. 5)
5. Tampa, Florida (No. 5)
6. Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 7)
7. Nashville, Tennessee (No. 7)
8. Atlanta (No. 8)
9. St. Louis (No. 8)
10. Miami (No. 9)
11. Philadelphia (No. 9)

The report notes that many of the largest U.S. metros are experiencing growth following the COVID-19 pandemic, when people took advantage of remote work and migrated to less-crowded areas.