Moving Statistics 2018: Annual Moving Industry Infographic

UPDATE: See the amazing new moving trends for 2019.

Without a doubt, 2018 has been an interesting year for anyone who, for one reason or another, has had to move to a new home. 2018 also happens to be the 7th consecutive year in which we’re offering you a deeper insight into the U.S. Moving and Storage Industry during the last 12 months.

While it’s true that some relocation aspects have remained relatively unchanged from 2017 (Interstate vs. Local moves, for instance), we have indeed noticed some important changes this past year – the busiest moving routes, for example – that may come to set new moving trends in 2019 and beyond.

In case you’ve missed our Annual Moving Trends Infographics for 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, feel free to check them out by clicking on the corresponding year.

Now, let’s turn our utmost attention to 2018 and find the abundance of exciting home moving stories hidden behind each set of data: numbers, values, figures, and graphics. The truth is that the U.S. population migration patterns have never looked more intriguing than they did last year.

I want this!

Do you want this awesome data visualization on your website? Just copy the code below and paste it on your website:

Enjoy the same statistical deliciousness in the form of a slideshow. Feel free to embed it on your own website or blog using the code below.

Interstate vs. Local Moves

Interstate moves – 60.51%
Local moves – 39.49%

2018 has ended with a drop of 5% in interstate moves compared to 2017. Interestingly enough, interstate moving has come down to its 2016 value (60%), proving that what goes up must come down.

On the other hand, local moves have picked up an extra boost of 5% and have seen off 2018 at 40%. Whether it’s better employment or superior education, it seems that genuine in-state opportunities for Americans are on the rise.

Number of moves per size

1 Bedroom – 28.81%
2 Bedroom – 21.16%
3 Bedroom – 20.27%
Partial move – 12.69%
Studio – 9.37%
4+ Bedroom – 7.70%

The number of moves per home size in 2018 has established an interesting trend – similar to 2017, the majority of home movers have moved out of 1-bedroom homes. Notice the surge in 3-bedroom moves – an increase of 4% compared to 2017 – another indication that things are constantly in a state of flux, especially in the U.S. moving industry.

Considering the fact that full-service movers are becoming more and more affordable thanks to the fierce competition in the relocation industry, it should come as no big surprise that the number of partial moves has come down from 18% in 2017 to 12.7% in 2018.

Number of moves per month

1. June – 13.11%
2. August – 12.09%
3. July – 11.72%
4. May – 10.49%
5. March – 9.05%
6. September – 8.71%
7. April – 8.42%
8. October – 7.17%
9. February – 6.40%
10. November – 6.09%
11. January – 3.49%
12. December – 3.26%

When it comes to the number of moves per month, 2018 has not been much different than 2017. Again, late spring and summer have been the busiest months for moving as result of the nicer weather and the annual summer breaks from work and school.

And again, just like in 2017, June has been the busiest month for the moving industry with 13.11% of relocation activity. Altogether, the 4-month period from May to August amounts to almost half (47%) of all house moves that have taken place during the calendar year.

Number of moves per weekday

1. Friday – 20.22%
2. Saturday – 18.40%
3. Monday – 16.15%
4. Thursday – 13.60%
5. Wednesday – 13.27%
6. Tuesday – 10.67%
7. Sunday – 7.69%

It’s said that some things never change, and when we look at the number of moves per weekday in 2018, that statement seems truer than ever.

With more than 20%, Friday has remained the busiest day of the week during the past year. It’s been like this for the last 7 years and the trend is likely to continue – after all, Friday does look like the perfect day to initiate a home move that is likely to stretch over the weekend as well.

With 18.40%, Saturday has kept its second place when it comes to the busiest days of the week for the U.S. moving industry. Interestingly, Sunday is still the least favorite day to start a residential move.

Busiest date

2018 has offered some welcoming changes in the house moving statistics of the last few years or so.

The big news? Being the undisputed Ruler for two years in a row (2016 and 2017), June 30th has been finally dethroned as the busiest date of the moving industry. Now it’s time to meet June the First – the new King in 2018, closely followed by its most loyal advisor – August the First.

Top five moving routes

1. California – Texas
2. New York – Florida
3. California – Washington
4. California – Arizona
5. New York – California

As the great state of Texas has proven to be a strong magnet for anyone looking for a promising job and a better quality of life, California – Texas has remained the busiest moving route in 2018 as well.

The popular New York – Florida route remains a close second, while California – Washington, California – Arizona, and New York – California make up the top 5 moving routes in the country.

Top States For Local Moves

1. California
2. Texas
3. Georgia
4. Florida
5. New York

Thanks to their extremely strong economies and super-large areas, both California (largest GSP in the country, third-largest state by area) and Texas (second-highest GSP in the U.S., second-largest state by area) have topped the list of the best states for local moves in 2018.

Georgia, Florida and New York complete the list of the top states for local moves in 2018.

Top cities for local moves

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Houston, TX
3. Chicago, IL
4. Brooklyn, NY
5. Los Angeles, CA
6. Fresno, CA
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Dallas, TX
9. New York City, NY
10. Milwaukee, WI

2018 has offered some intriguing house moving stats that may be hard to comprehend at first glance.

For example, Atlanta – the capital city of Georgia – has topped the annual list of the top cities for local moves, immediately followed by much more justifiable city entries such as Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Uncharacteristically, New York City occupies the number 9 spot when it comes to the most popular cities for local moving.

Route prices based on reviews

1. South Carolina – California: $7672.07
2. Oregon – Maryland: $7602.22
3. Washington – Florida: $7521.45
4. Virginia – California: $7130.45
5. Connecticut – California: $6303.07
6. California – Tennessee: $6207.50
7. Colorado – Georgia: $6181.09
8. Maryland – California: $6047.91
9. Washington – Texas: $6042.44
10. California – Indiana: $5889.10

Years come and go but one thing remains unchanged – the move cost is still the deciding factor when moving from one home to another.

Based on the moving reviews we have received in 2018, the average cost of a cross-country move from South Carolina to California is around $7,672 – roughly the same price as a long distance move from Oregon to Maryland.

The moving statistics show that the relocation distance is losing its major importance when the moving cost is formed. Now, the dominating price-forming factors seem to be the overall shipment weight and the requested moving services.

Net Migrants

( Cities which gained more population than lost in terms of mobility)

1. Brooklyn NY
2. New York City NY
3. Bronx NY
4. Chicago IL
5. Philadelphia PA
6. Washington DC
7. Milwaukee WI
8. Memphis TN
9. San Diego CA
10. Cleveland OH
11. Louisville KY
12. Staten Island NY
13. Oklahoma City OK
14. Shawnee Mission KS
15. Columbus OH
16. Trenton NJ
17. Long Beach CA
18. Buffalo NY
19. Miami FL
20. Oceanside CA

The U.S. population migration patterns are fascinating to observe as they indicate the top states and the top cities Americans are moving to.

Throughout 2018, New York City has been a favorite destination for home movers, topping the list of the net inbound migration cities. Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. have also been quite popular American cities to move to in the last 12 months.

Top States – net migration

(States gained more population than lost in terms of mobility)

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Arizona
4. North Carolina
5. Georgia
6. Washington
7. Colorado
8. South Carolina
9. Nevada
10. Oregon

Top states outmigrants

(lost more population in terms of migration)

1. California
2. New York
3. Pennsylvania
4. New Jersey
5. Illinois
6. Ohio
7. Connecticut
8. Massachusetts
9. Kentucky
10. Wisconsin

When it comes to top net inbound migration states, Texas has deservedly surpassed Florida as the most popular U.S. state for Americans to move to and settle down. Also, Arizona has claimed the prestigious third place, duly followed by North Carolina and Georgia.

On the other side of the migration spectrum, California has dethroned New York as the most net outbound migration state in the country. The Golden State is now wearing that lonely Outmigration Crown, followed by the Empire State, the Keystone State (Pennsylvania), the Garden State (New Jersey) and the Prairie State (Illinois).

***

The moving statistics for 2018 does offer some very interesting moving industry trends that are hard to ignore. One quick look is enough to understand that the U.S. population migration patterns will continue to change in 2019, following their own complicated internal logic.

As one of the most mobile people in the world, Americans will keep on relocating in pursuit of their own share of happiness. Statistics show that the average American moves once every 5 years. In reality, the moving trends in the U.S. are much more complex than that piece of statistical data.

The above moving trends analysis for 2018 gives you only a glimpse of the moving and storage industry statistics. Just like solving a jig-saw puzzle, you’re only holding a handful of puzzle pieces and you’re going to have to take a step back to see the whole picture.

The truth is that looking at the moving trends and statistics for 2018 can be kind of fun, but it’s time for you to focus on your own move so that you can have a successful end to your own relocation story. Good luck!

See you in 2019.

Also Read

Negotiating a Job Relocation Package – How Does Relocation Assistance Work?

Highlights Moving for work is very common - and since the relocation process is quite difficult and... Read More