According to a by U-Haul, a truck rental company, New Brunswick saw the largest growth of one-way U-Haul traffic in 2022.
The company states this is an indication that moving out east was popular in 2022.
鈥淭here are many reasons people are packing up U-Haul trucks and coming to New Brunswick,鈥� stated Devin Mitchell, U-Haul Company of Atlantic Canada president, in a news release. 鈥淚n the last year, we鈥檝e 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.鈥�
New Brunswick saw the greatest net-gain in one-way U-Haul traffic in 2022, announced the company in a news release on Jan. 9. That鈥檚 in stark contrast to the year prior, where New Brunswick saw the greatest net loss out of all the provinces.
In 2022, arriving traffic accounted for 51. 1 per cent of all one-way U-Haul trucks coming and going from New Brunswick.
In the company鈥檚 2021 rankings, Alberta came in first. But for 2022, Alberta came in last, representing 49.5 per cent of arriving traffic coming and going from the province.
Here鈥檚 where the other provinces ranked:
These are the U-Haul鈥檚 10 top Growth Provinces in Canada in 2022:
1. New Brunswick
2. Quebec
3. Ontario
4. Prince Edward Island
5. Nova Scotia
6. Saskatchewan
7. Manitoba
8. Newfoundland
9. British Columbia
10. Alberta
As well, U-Haul also ranked cities based on one-way U-Haul truck arrivals.
The city of Chatham, Ont., was ranked first, followed by Trois-Rivières in Quebec, and Sarnia, Ont, in terms of net-gains compared to the company鈥檚 2021 list.
Mitchell said that remote work has allowed people to 鈥渇ind cheaper housing outside of the major metropolitan areas.鈥�
鈥淧eople 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,鈥� he said in the press release.
Trois Rivieres city of Quebec came at No. 2 in the ranking followed by Sarnia in Ontario, Quebec City and Kelowna city in British Columbia as third, fourth and fifth top growth cities, respectively.
Here are U-Haul鈥檚 25 top growth cities in Canada in 2022:
1. Chatham, Ont.
2. Trois-Rivières, Que.
3. Sarnia, Ont.
4. Quebec City, Que.
5. Kelowna, B.C.
6. Sydney, N.S.
7. Greater Sudbury, Ont.
8. Brantford, Ont.
9. Montreal, Que.
10. Chilliwack, B.C.
11. North Bay, Ont.
12. St. Thomas, Ont.
13. Belleville, Ont.
14. Saint John, N.B.
15. Strathroy-Caradoc, Ont.
16. Camrose, Alta.
17. Nepean, Ont.
18. Sherbrooke, Que.
19. Salmon Arm, B.C.
20. Saint-Hubert, Que.
21. Penticton, B.C.
22. Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
23. North Vancouver, B.C.
24. Peterborough, Ont.
25. Fredericton, N.B.
METHODOLOGY:
According to U-Haul, the company states their growth index report 鈥渋s 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 two million one-way U-Haul truck transactions that occur annually across Canada and the U.S.鈥�
