Kelowna ranks as 5th on U-Haul’s annual Canadian Growth Index
While the number of do-it-yourself movers to and from Kelowna fell by 11% in 2022, the city still moved up in the rankings as one of the country’s most popular destinations. In 2022, 51% of one-way U-Haul truck traffic was made up of people arriving in the city versus 49% leaving,...
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While the number of do-it-yourself movers to and from Kelowna fell by 11% in 2022, the city still moved up in the rankings as one of the country’s most popular destinations.
In 2022, 51% of one-way U-Haul truck traffic was made up of people arriving in the city versus 49% leaving, according to the truck rental company's 2022 Growth Index data released today, Jan. 9.
By that marker, Kelowna was the ranked number five as a growth city, up from number six in 2021.
“Kelowna is a very popular destination for young people because it’s home to the University of British Columbia campus,” U-Haul president Mason Kolahdouzan said in a news release. “The job market and economy are strong in Kelowna and people are taking notice.”
Salmon Arm ranked 19th and Penticton 21st out of the top 25 cities on the list. Chilliwack, at number 10, was the only other B.C. city to make the list.
Chatham, Trois Rivieres, Sarnia and Quebec City round out the top five Canadian growth cities of 2022.
B.C., as a whole, fell to ninth spot on the provincial list, down from second place in 2021. New Brunswick moved up from tenth to claim the number one spot in 2022.
“There are many reasons people are packing up U-Haul trucks and coming to New Brunswick,” U-Haul Atlantic president Devin Mitchell said in the release.
“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.”
Alberta dropped from the top spot in 2021 to tenth last year.
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