Whether people are packing up and moving for its quiet streets or more affordable housing prices, one small Alberta city welcomed many newcomers in 2025, according to the latest U-Haul Growth Index.
According to recent data from moving company U-Haul, do-it-yourself movers are packing their lives up and heading to Alberta more than anywhere else in Canada. British Columbia followed in second place, while Ontario landed at the bottom of the list for the third consecutive year, posting the largest net loss of one-way movers.
The rankings are based on U-Haul customers who rented trucks, trailers, or U-Box containers in one province or city and returned them in another. U-Haul notes that while the rankings don’t directly reflect population or economic growth, the Growth Index is still a solid way to see which provinces and cities are attracting and keeping residents.
Four spots in Alberta made the list, with the smallest Alberta city, Camrose, landing at #15. It had appeared on the list multiple times earlier this decade; however, it missed the cut last year.
City of Camrose, Alberta/Facebook
“Alberta continues to stay at the top of the U-Haul Growth Index because of the strong job market, lower cost of living, high wages, and the abundance of outdoor recreation,” Razmin Mansoub, U-Haul area district vice president for Western Canada, said.
U-Haul added that B.C. continues to attract newcomers as well, particularly for its scenery and milder climate, as well as its health care and education systems, which remain a draw for young couples and families.
Calgary repeated its position as the top city on the list, followed by Barrie, Montreal, Victoria, and Edmonton, which rounded out the top five for 2025. Vancouver placed seventh, while Toronto came in at 10th.
The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from over 2.5 million annual one-way transactions across Canada and the U.S.
You can find the full report on U-Haul’s website.
With files from Allison Stephen