Toronto 
Canada’s internal migration patterns continue to show clear regional preferences, based on how people are moving their households from one place to another. An annual review of one-way moving activity by U-Haul points to sustained growth in Western Canada, with some notable shifts elsewhere.
Credit: U-Haul
U-Haul rated Canadian destinations by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks, trailers, and U-Box moving containers arriving in a city versus departing from that city in a calendar year.
Most Popular Provinces 2025:
Alberta once again led all provinces for net in-migration. British Columbia followed Alberta at the provincial level, and Manitoba recorded one of the most significant year-over-year changes, moving from a net loss to a net gain.
Ontario remained at the bottom of the provincial rankings for the third straight year, reflecting the largest net loss of do-it-yourself movers. Even so, the province still accounted for nine of the 25 fastest-growing cities nationwide, more than any other province.
U-Haul officials attributed Alberta’s continued lead to employment opportunities, wages and lower living costs. British Columbia’s appeal was linked to climate, scenery, and public services. Manitoba’s rise was tied to similar affordability factors and strong job markets.
U-Haul Canadian Growth Provinces:
- Alberta (1)
- British Columbia (2)
- Manitoba (8)
- Saskatchewan (5)
- Quebec (7)
- Prince Edward Island (6)
- Newfoundland & Labrador (3)
- New Brunswick (3)
- Nova Scotia (9)
- Ontario (10)
2024 growth rankings in parentheses
Most Popular Cities 2025:
Calgary held steady in first place, maintaining its position as the top destination for the third consecutive year. Barrie recorded one of the largest jumps, rising to second from 13th in 2024. Edmonton slipped from second to fifth, while Kelowna moved up sharply from 23rd to sixth.
Vancouver declined slightly, landing seventh after ranking higher the year before, while Toronto remained in the top 10 but continued to trail smaller and mid-sized centres. Winnipeg entered the top 10 at ninth place, reinforcing Manitoba’s improved standing, while Brandon appeared at 25th after not ranking as high previously.
Several Ontario cities shifted downward despite remaining net-gain markets. Brantford fell from sixth to 13th, Parry Sound dropped from ninth to 14th, and Belleville saw one of the steepest declines, sliding from third to 22nd. St. Thomas edged down slightly from 12th to 11th, while Sarnia improved from 21st to 18th.
British Columbia cities showed mixed movement. Kelowna and Richmond improved, while Sidney moved from 20th to 24th. Overall, the 2025 rankings reflect stronger momentum in Prairie and smaller urban markets, with greater volatility in Ontario and coastal cities than in 2024.
No Atlantic Canadian cities ranked in the 2025 rankings, in contrast to the pandemic period, when the region featured multiple growth markets.
2025 Top 25 U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities
- Calgary, AB (1)
- Barrie, ON (13)
- Montreal, QC (3)
- Victoria, BC (4)
- Edmonton, AB (2)
- Kelowna, BC (23)
- Vancouver, BC
- Richmond, BC
- Winnipeg, MB
- Toronto, ON
- Thomas, ON (12)
- North Vancouver, BC
- Brantford, ON (6)
- Parry Sound, ON (9)
- Camrose, AB
- Salmon Arm, BC
- Lethbridge, AB
- Sarnia, ON (21)
- Richmond Hill, ON
- Lindsay, ON (15)
- Saint-hubert, QC
- Belleville, ON (3)
- Sherbrooke, QC
- Sidney, BC (20)
- Brandon, MB
2024 growth rankings in parentheses
The company says migration trends data is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way truck-sharing transactions annually in Canada and the U.S.
It is important to remember that the 2025 Growth Index highlights migration trends but does not directly correlate with population or economic growth. U-Haul’s data underscores shifts in preferences for affordable living and lifestyle opportunities across Canadian provinces and cities.
