Younger generations are packing up moving trucks and heading to North Texas in droves, according to a midyear report released Wednesday by U-Haul.

The U-Haul Migration Trends: 2026 Midyear Report analyzes 52 weeks of customer moves from July 2025 through June 2026. The report measures net gains and losses of one-way U-Haul trucks, trailers, and U-Box containers across states and major metropolitan areas to determine where different age groups are moving.

The findings show clear generational splits, with Millennials and Generation Z driving significant growth into the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

DFW tops lists for younger generations

Among Millennials (born 1981-1996), the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area earned the No. 1 spot as the net-gain metro area nationwide, beating out Houston and Orlando. Texas overall placed second on the Millennial top net-gain state list, trailing only Florida.

For Gen Z (born 1997-2012), Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 2 among top net-gain metros, behind only New York City. Texas claimed the No. 1 spot nationwide for Gen Z state net gains.

According to U-Haul, Gen Z movers are gravitating toward densely populated markets with access to apartments, entry-level jobs, and numerous colleges. Millennials account for the largest share of one-way U-Haul transactions overall, followed by Gen X. Together, the two generations make up more than 60% of all rentals.

Texas appeals across age groups

While Baby Boomers are primarily relocating to the Southeast — with South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida taking the top spots — Texas ranks very high across nearly every other age bracket.

In addition to leading the list for Gen Z, Texas ranked second for Millennials and Gen X in net-gain states. Overall, Florida is the only state to rank in the top 10 for net gains across all four generations.

Regional momentum

The strong migration numbers align with ongoing population gains across the North Texas region. Several suburban communities in the area — including Celina, Princeton, Melissa, and Anna — continue to rank among the fastest-growing cities in the nation. 

Additionally, Dallas-Fort Worth has been generating jobs rapidly in recent years, though many industries across the region still face a need for more employees to keep up with economic demand.

U-Haul tracks one-way customer transactions annually across its more than 25,000 rental locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company plans to publish its full year-end migration rankings and growth index reports at the end of 2026.