New Brunswick saw the greatest net loss of people moving in one-way U-Haul® trucks of any province during 2021, only to see its fortunes completely reverse course in 2022.
New Brunswick registered the largest net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks of any province in 2022, according to transactional data compiled for the annual U-Haul Growth Index.
Conversely, Alberta tumbled down the rankings for 2022 with the greatest net outflow of do-it-yourself movers in one-way U-Haul trucks after being the top growth province of 2021.
“There are many reasons people are packing up U-Haul trucks and coming to New Brunswick,” stated Devin Mitchell, U-Haul Company of Atlantic Canada president. “In the last year, we’ve seen more movement into New Brunswick and the rest of the Maritimes because people are looking for affordable housing and a relaxed lifestyle. The lack of affordable real estate in other provinces is pushing people east.”
U-Haul also released its top 25 Canadian growth cities for 2022, ranking Chatham, Ont., first on the list. Chatham climbed 12 spots from its previous ranking.
The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled according to the net gain (or loss) of one-way U-Haul trucks arriving in a province or city, versus departing from that province or city, in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from well over 2 million one-way U-Haul truck transactions that occur annually across Canada and the U.S.
2022 U-Haul Growth Provinces
| Province (’21 ranking in parentheses) | % of traffic in ’22 that was arrivals | YOY arrivals change (’22 v. ’21) | YOY departures change (’22 v. ’21) |
| 1. New Brunswick (10) | 51.1% | + 3% | – 9% |
| 2. Quebec (5) | 50.2% | – 5% | – 7% |
| 3. Ontario (3) | 50.1% | – 18% | – 19% |
| 4. PEI (7) | 51.9% | + 6% | – 7% |
| 5. Nova Scotia (9) | 50.1% | – 6% | – 10% |
| 6. Saskatchewan (4) | 49.9% | + 3% | + 5% |
| 7. Manitoba (8) | 49.8% | – 3% | – 4% |
| 8. Newfoundland (6) | 49% | – 15% | – 14% |
| 9. BC (2) | 49.8% | – 18% | – 16% |
| 10. Alberta (1) | 49.5% | + 9% | + 13% |
In 2022, arriving traffic accounted for 51.1% of all one-way U-Haul trucks coming and going from New Brunswick. Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia round out the top five growth provinces. British Columbia ranked ninth, just ahead of Alberta, and witnessed more U-Haul trucks leaving than arriving. BC ranked second in 2021 behind Alberta.
The Canadian growth cities report features four cities in Ontario and three in Quebec among the top 10 net-gain markets. This includes Montreal, which was unranked in 2021 but saw a 25.8% year-over-year jump in one-way U-Haul truck arrivals in 2022 to place ninth on the list.
Chatham is followed in the rankings by Trois Rivieres, Sarnia, Quebec City and Kelowna. Saint John and Fredericton, 14th and 25th on the growth cities list, respectively, are top destinations for U-Haul movers arriving in New Brunswick.
“During the pandemic, people got into the habit of working remotely,” Mitchell added. “Because of that, they were able to find cheaper housing outside of the major metropolitan areas. I would bet most U-Haul relocations have one thing in common: cost. People are trying to find the most affordable places with the lowest cost of living while still being able to access the great outdoor amenities for which Canada is known.”
2022 U-Haul Top 25 Canadian Growth Cities
| 1. Chatham, ON (13) |
| 2. Trois Rivieres, QC |
| 3. Sarnia, ON (16) |
| 4. Quebec City, QC (4) |
| 5. Kelowna, BC (6) |
| 6. Sydney, NS |
| 7. Greater Sudbury, ON (3) |
| 8. Brantford, ON (17) |
| 9. Montreal, QC |
| 10. Chilliwack, BC |
| 11. North Bay, ON (1) |
| 12. St. Thomas, ON (14) |
| 13. Belleville, ON (2) |
| 14. Saint John, NB |
| 15. Strathroy-Caradoc, ON |
| 16. Camrose, AB |
| 17. Nepean, ON |
| 18. Sherbrooke, QC |
| 19. Salmon Arm, BC |
| 20. Saint-Hubert, QC |
| 21. Penticton, BC (21) |
| 22. Sault Ste. Marie, ON (12) |
| 23. North Vancouver, BC (10) |
| 24. Peterborough, ON (19) |
| 25. Fredericton, NB |
* 2021 growth ranking in parentheses, if ranked *
PLUS FIVE more notable cities that just missed the list but saw more arrivals than departures:
| Chestermere, AB |
| Truro, NS |
| Prince George, BC |
| Newmarket, ON |
| Delta, BC |
View the migration trends reports for U.S. growth cities and states at myuhaulstory.com.
U-Haul is the authority on migration trends thanks to its expansive network that blankets all 10 provinces and 50 states. The geographical coverage from 23,000 U-Haul truck- and trailer-sharing locations provides a broad overview of where people are moving like no one else in the industry.
Small business owners who are interested in joining the U-Haul Dealer Network at no cost and earning commissions from U-Haul rental transactions can visit uhaul.com/dealer to learn more and submit information to be contacted by a local representative.
