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The US moving industry has grown into a massive $19 billion market that serves almost 28 million Americans who relocate yearly. Americans move about 11.7 times throughout their lives, which makes relocation a huge part of our shared experience.
Our latest research shows some interesting changes in where Americans want to live next. Most people - about 68% of those planning to move in 2025 - prefer to stay in their current state. Florida stands out as the top choice for those who want to cross state lines. The industry itself keeps evolving rapidly. Many moving companies have started using new technologies, with 37% already using AI tools. Most companies - about 94% - plan to keep their price increases modest at 10% or less in 2025.
We'll get into where Americans are actually moving in 2025, what economic factors drive their choices, and how moving companies are adapting to what customers need today.
Americans are on the move, and their choices are changing our nation's map. Let's get into where people are heading in 2025 based on the latest migration numbers.
Southern states now lead the pack in attracting new residents, and the Southeast shows remarkable growth. United Van Lines' annual study shows West Virginia topped the charts with 66% inbound migration in 2024. South Carolina stands out with more than double the number of people moving in compared to those leaving, showing a 2.18 in-to-out ratio. North Carolina draws the most interest with 15.75% net inbound searches. South Carolina (15.57%) and Texas (14.86%) follow right behind.
Texas welcomes the most newcomers with 137,582 more people arriving than leaving. Florida comes in second, adding 136,750 new residents. Delaware made a big jump from #11 in 2023 to #2 in 2024, while Arkansas and Alabama also saw plenty of new faces. People seem drawn to these states because they're affordable, have nice weather, and offer plenty of outdoor activities.
New Jersey holds the record nobody wants - most people leaving for seven years straight, with 67% outbound migration. California lost the most residents overall, with 259,000 people saying goodbye in 2023. New York (186,533), Illinois (89,936), and New Jersey (66,994) also saw many residents pack up and leave.
People leave these states for different reasons. Louisiana's residents move away because jobs are hard to find. California and New York's sky-high living costs and housing prices push people out. Illinois residents can't handle the taxes - they're the highest in the country, eating up about 13% of a typical family's income.
Settlement patterns tell an interesting story too. American families have moved away from city centers over the years. This trend picked up speed during the pandemic, creating what many called an "urban exodus".
Millennials now in their 30s and 40s drive the suburban boom as they enter a phase of life that fits suburban living better. Young families look to the suburbs for bigger homes and better schools. Remote work makes this move easier since daily commutes matter less now.
The picture isn't as simple as people just leaving cities for rural areas. We see more mixing of different lifestyles - suburban neighborhoods pop up in rural areas while rural residents work in city centers. These patterns blur the traditional lines between urban and rural living.
Americans are on the move in 2025, and the reasons behind their decisions paint a fascinating picture of our changing nation. A complex mix of economic and social factors drives these relocations.
People are leaving expensive coastal cities for more affordable areas, which shows a stronger link between migration and inflation. The irony? These destination cities now face some of the country's highest price increases. Cities like Phoenix, Atlanta, and Tampa represent this trend, where newcomers drive up costs.
The inflation outlook has reached worrying levels. Households expect 4.3% inflation for the next year, while long-term projections hit 3.5% in February 2025—a 30-year high. Housing markets feel this pressure directly due to supply shortages. Fannie Mae predicts mortgage rates will stay above 6% throughout 2025, which keeps housing affordability a major concern.
The way we work has altered the map of where people choose to live. Workers can now pick places with better quality of life and lower costs without giving up their careers. A breakthrough Stanford study shows that hybrid work (two days at home weekly) matches office-based productivity and cuts employee turnover by 33%.
North American companies have adapted quickly. About 60% now use hybrid models, and 75% of business leaders say they'll likely adjust their work arrangements more in the next two years. This freedom has changed how the moving industry operates since families now care more about house features than commute times.
State taxes play a big role in where people move. Net inbound migration occurred in 17 of the 25 states with top-ranked tax codes between 2021-2022. Meanwhile, 18 of the 25 states with the worst tax rankings lost residents.
High earners show this pattern clearly. Florida gained 29,771 taxpayers earning $200,000+ (adding $28.7 billion in AGI), while California lost 24,670 similar earners (reducing AGI by $16.1 billion). Other key factors that make people move include:
Americans are changing where they want to live, and moving companies quickly adapt with groundbreaking solutions that match their customers' changing needs. These companies stay competitive by embracing technology, premium services, and eco-friendly practices in this rapidly changing digital world.
The digital revolution has transformed the moving sector. About 37% of companies now use AI tools throughout their operations. These technologies make everything smoother from the original customer contact to final delivery. Companies use AI to create marketing content, conduct virtual home surveys, and optimize how trucks are loaded. Digital inventory tracking apps let customers watch their possessions in real time during the move.
Moving businesses also use automation to handle routine tasks like scheduling follow-up emails and sending text updates. Software platforms like Moverbase and SmartMoving help companies handle complex logistics and cut operational costs. AI-powered route optimization tools reduce fuel use and deliver faster, which addresses what today's consumers want.
Premium relocation services continue to grow rapidly. Full-service options have become popular with busy clients who want companies to handle everything from packing to unpacking. About 27% of moving companies now offer consumer financing to make these complete services more available.
"Eco-luxury" providers like NorthStar Moving (ranked #1 in customer service by Newsweek) serve wealthy clients with white-glove experiences. Their premium services include furniture arrangement, technology setup, and interior design help. These offerings turn a typically stressful event into a smooth transition if you have significant wealth.
Environmental awareness defines innovative moving companies today. Eco-friendly approaches include using biodegradable packing materials, planning efficient routes, and maintaining equipment for best fuel efficiency. Some companies now use electric moving trucks to reduce their carbon footprint.
Movegreen's "10 trees for every move" program stands out and has planted over 100,000 trees through their nonprofit partnership. Many companies have switched to digital inventory management instead of paper systems. These green approaches improve service quality while attracting environmentally conscious customers.
The moving industry's financial landscape in 2025 reveals key facts about relocation costs and trends. Americans pack up and move by the millions each year, making these numbers important for both customers and companies.
Professional moving services come with varying price tags based on distance and home size. Local moves under 50 miles cost between $800 and $2,500 on average, with most people paying around $1,489. State-to-state moves cost much more - the average stands at $3,129. Cross-country trips can set you back between $6,000 and $7,000.
Your home size plays a big role in the final cost:
Transportation makes up 50%-60% of total moving costs. The actual bill often ends up 35%-40% higher than initial estimates.
Summer rules the moving calendar. About 60% of all moves happen between May and August. June and July are the busiest months and account for nearly 30% of yearly moves. This rush pushes prices up by 20%-30% during summer because movers can't keep up with demand.
Most people choose to move on June 1st and 30th, or September 1st and 30th. Distance-wise, half of international movers stay within 500 kilometers. American domestic moves average 922 miles. About 73.7% of all moved items travel less than 250 miles from start to finish.
Moving services have grown into a $110.97 billion global market in 2025. Experts predict it will reach $143.18 billion by 2030, growing at 5.23% yearly. The U.S. market takes up $23.30 billion of this total and grows steadily at 2.7% each year.
Moving activity has dropped over the years. Only 8.4% of Americans moved in 2021, which is half the rate seen in the 1950s. The industry stays strong by employing over 6 million laborers and movers. It supports roughly 481,770 jobs through direct, indirect, and related work.
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