Milwaukee ranked as the top destination for Chicago movers in both Gen X and millennial groups in U-Haul’s midyear migration report covering July 2025 to June 2026.
Wisconsin also drew Chicago boomers most often and appeared among the top landing spots for movers from Grand Rapids, Columbus, Indianapolis and St. Louis, with millennials making the most one-way moves nationwide.
Florida and Texas dominated outbound moves from Milwaukee, while Madison stood out as a frequent metro destination for Gen X and millennials leaving the city.
More broadly, the report tracks more than 50 U.S. metro areas with populations above 1 million, highlighting how migration patterns differ sharply by generation.