U-Haul 2016 Destination City No. 2: Chicago

May 25, 2017

Chicago continues to safeguard its standing as the No. 2 U-Haul U.S. Destination City, according to the latest U-Haul migration trends report.

Chicago saw a 5.8 percent drop in 2016 arrivals compared to 2015, although it managed to stave off San Antonio as the second busiest U.S. market for incoming U-Haul trucks.

U-Haul Destination Cities are ranked according to the total number of arriving one-way U-Haul truck rentals to a city in the past calendar year. Destination Cities do not account for departing traffic and thus do not necessarily reflect growth like U-Haul Growth Cities. Destination Cities reflect the volume and regularity of do-it-yourself movers coming into a community.

Windy City a DIY Town

“Chicago is growing,” said Jamie Lee, U-Haul Company of North Shore Chicago president. “The city saw there was a need for more housing and upgraded facilities. Now apartments and condos are being built by reusing and refurbishing old buildings. We make it easy for do-it-yourself movers to come to a new place. We have lots of convenient locations, and U-Haul Team Members take the extra step to make everyone’s move as smooth as possible.”

U-Haul has 17 Company-owned stores and 96 independent neighborhood dealers within the city limits, and also offers many more locations to fulfill the needs of suburbs outside Chicago. Find U-Haul truck and trailer sharing locations in Chicago at uhaul.com/locations.

Chicago is the No. 2 U-Haul U.S. Destination City for 2016

“Chicago offers a wide variety of public activities throughout the year,” Lee added. “Festivals and shows are held indoors and outdoors, often with no charge.”

The annual Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest free-admission air and water exhibition in the U.S. The show will celebrate its 57th anniversary in August while welcoming an estimated 2 million spectators.

U-Haul is the authority on migration trends thanks to its expansive network that blankets all 50 states in addition to 10 Canadian provinces. The geographical coverage from more than 21,000 U-Haul locations provides a comprehensive overview of where people are moving like no one else in the industry. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 1.7 million one-way U-Haul truck rental transactions that occur annually.

Follow the Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities daily countdown through May 26 on Twitter @uhaul. Also view all migration trends reports, including the U-Haul 2016 U.S. Growth Cities and Growth States, at myuhaulstory.com.

What They are Saying about Chicago

“It is a city where people work hard and enjoy life. Chicago is a city with global people, miles and miles of beaches, and amazing, plentiful and inexpensive food. Chicago is a walkable city with the finest fine dining. It has charming neighborhoods with parks and giant green spaces.” — Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities for 2016

10. Charlotte

9. Kansas City

8. Philadelphia

7. Brooklyn

6. Las Vegas

5. Austin

4. Orlando

3. San Antonio

2. Chicago

 

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Over half a million people face food insecurity in Maricopa County. Local nonprofits work daily to address this ongoing concern, but could not service those in need with the commitment of community and business members who choose to step up and help. U-Haul...

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona. Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an...

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires across the Texas panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday and has burned more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest in the state’s...

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

The Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix is the American Cancer Society’s largest single-day climb event in the world. Every February in Arizona, thousands of cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and supporters participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer. U-Haul...

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

February 14 is not just Valentine's Day. It is recognized as a National Salute to Veteran Patients day. During Valentine's Day week each year, U-Haul and the Tribute Journey say “thank you” to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services who are cared for in Department of...

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

Every new year invites new adventures. If your 2024 adventures include moving abroad, U-Haul International Moves® is equipped and licensed to support your exciting transition each step of the way. The U-Haul® brand is known globally for empowering do-it-yourself...

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

When Luz decided to apply for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona’s Homeownership Program, she had no idea just how much of an impact it would have on her son, Jason. The family met Habitat’s criteria and completed more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” by working...

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michelle Vukov-Mikel and Michele Ramirez have been honored as the U-Haul® Volunteers of the Year for 2023. At the end of each year, U-Haul recognizes the Team Member(s) who has volunteered the most hours, supported the greatest number of U-Haul charity...