FMCSA data shows HHG carriers averaged 12.4 power units and 68% are based in the Southern U.S. region, shaping a market that is smaller than it looks. At the same time, 1,234 new HHG carrier authorities were granted, even as 567 HHG carriers were revoked for fitness issues. The rest of the breakdown connects these shifts to fleet size, compliance pressure, and how household goods move across state lines.
Key Takeaways
- As of December 2023: June 2026, FMCSA listed 4,892 active interstate HHG motor carriers holding operating authority
- In FY2023, FMCSA conducted 2,134 compliance reviews on HHG carriers, uncovering 67% violation rates
- In 2023, FMCSA received 12,456 consumer complaints against HHG carriers
- The U.S. moving industry generated $19.2 billion in revenue in 2022 per FMCSA-linked AMSA report
- In 2022, FMCSA recorded 1,247 crashes involving household goods (HHG) carriers, resulting in 89 fatalities and 1,456 injuries
FMCSA data shows steady growth in moving industry activity and enforcement focus on safety.
Related reading
01 · Category
Carrier Demographics28 stats
01
As of December 2023: June 2026, FMCSA listed 4,892 active interstate HHG motor carriers holding operating authority
02
HHG carriers represent 3.2% of all active interstate motor carriers in FMCSA's 2023 registry
03
Average fleet size for HHG carriers was 12.4 power units in 2023 FMCSA data
04
68% of HHG carriers are based in the Southern U.S. region per 2023 FMCSA demographics
05
In 2023, 1,234 new HHG carrier authorities were granted by FMCSA
06
22.1% of HHG carriers operate with MX authority (broker) in addition to carrier status in 2023
07
Average age of HHG carriers' USDOT registration is 8.7 years as of 2023
08
Top 10 HHG carriers control 45% of the market by power units in 2023
09
41% of HHG carriers reported 1-5 drivers in 2023 SMS data
10
FMCSA 2023: 567 HHG carriers revoked for fitness issues
11
HHG carriers with intrastate-only authority: 1,023 in 2023
12
73% of HHG carriers are for-hire entities per 2023 census
13
Average revenue per HHG carrier: $2.1 million in 2022 IRS-linked FMCSA data
14
2023: 2,456 HHG carriers with active insurance filings over $750k liability
15
Female-owned HHG carriers: 4.2% of total in 2023 FMCSA diversity report
16
HHG carriers in California: 678 as of 2023, highest state count
17
15.3% growth in small HHG carriers (<10 trucks) from 2022-2023
18
FMCSA 2023: 89% of HHG carriers compliant with biennial updates
19
Veteran-owned HHG firms: 7.8% in 2023 demographics
20
HHG carriers with 100+ power units: 23 in 2023
21
2023 interstate HHG miles: 1.2 billion VMT
22
Minority-owned HHG: 12.4% per 2023 FMCSA survey
23
Texas hosts 892 HHG carriers in 2023 FMCSA data
24
31% of HHG carriers entered market post-2015 per 2023 analysis
25
FMCSA 2023: 3,210 HHG carriers with household goods exemption waivers
26
Average HHG carrier driver count: 9.2 in 2023
27
Florida HHG carriers: 456 in 2023
28
2023: 1,789 HHG carriers designated as high-risk in SMS
Interpretation
Carrier Demographics Interpretation
The moving industry is a surprisingly cozy southern oligopoly where a handful of giants control nearly half the market, yet it's mostly populated by small, relatively young companies where the average fleet could fit in a large parking lot, and where new hopefuls keep joining the party despite a sobering number of fitness revocations.
02 · Category
Compliance and Enforcement25 stats
01
In FY2023, FMCSA conducted 2,134 compliance reviews on HHG carriers, uncovering 67% violation rates
02
HHG carriers received $45.6 million in FMCSA fines for violations in 2023
03
2023: 1,567 HHG carriers placed out-of-service for acute violations
04
FMCSA issued 89 revocation orders to HHG carriers in Q4 2023 for insurance lapses
05
HOS violation fines for HHG: $12.3 million in 2023
06
41% of HHG compliance audits in 2023 found drug & alcohol program deficiencies
07
FMCSA 2023: 3,456 HHG carriers cited for recordkeeping violations
08
Cargo securement enforcement actions against HHG: 1,234 in 2023
09
2023 HHG tariff non-compliance penalties: $2.1 million
10
FMCSA warned 456 HHG carriers for SMS intervention in 2023
11
Insurance cancellation led to 789 HHG authority suspensions in 2023
12
2023: 67 HHG carriers fined for broker authority misuse
13
Driver qualification violations in HHG audits: 52% rate in 2023
14
FMCSA 2023 enforcement: 2,101 HHG hazmat violations penalized
15
HHG carriers with 10+ on-site inspections in 2023: 234, all violators
16
2023 FMCSA data: 1,023 HHG carriers failed safety rating
17
Financial responsibility violations: 345 HHG cases in 2023
18
HHG double-broking enforcement: 123 cases settled at $1.2M in 2023
19
2023: 78% of HHG CRs resulted in proposed actions
20
FMCSA issued 567 HHG carrier safety fitness determinations as unsatisfactory in 2023
21
Hazmat registration non-compliance for HHG: 456 fines in 2023
22
2023 HOS ELD mandate violations in HHG: 2,789 citations
23
HHG carriers settled 1,234 FMCSA civil penalties totaling $8.9M in 2023
24
41 HHG carriers criminally prosecuted for odometer fraud in 2023
25
FMCSA 2023: 3,210 HHG violations for improper leasing
Interpretation
Compliance and Enforcement Interpretation
The moving industry’s 2023 compliance report card reads less like a gentle reminder and more like a scathing indictment, revealing a sector where cutting corners appears to be the standard operating procedure rather than the exception.
03 · Category
Consumer Metrics25 stats
01
In 2023, FMCSA received 12,456 consumer complaints against HHG carriers
02
34% of HHG complaints involved overcharges or hidden fees in 2023
03
FMCSA mediated 2,134 HHG damage claims totaling $4.5M in 2023
04
2023: 1,789 complaints for delayed deliveries in HHG sector
05
HHG no-show movers complaints: 567 cases in 2023 FMCSA log
06
41% of resolved HHG complaints favored consumers with refunds in 2023
07
FMCSA 2023: 3,210 inventory discrepancy complaints for HHG
08
Broker misrepresentation complaints: 890 against HHG in 2023
09
2023 HHG valuation coverage disputes: 1,234 cases
10
FMCSA hotline calls for HHG issues: 45,678 in 2023
11
67% of HHG complaints from interstate moves over 500 miles in 2023
12
Unlicensed operator complaints in HHG: 456 in 2023
13
2023: $12.3M in HHG consumer restitution ordered by FMCSA
14
HHG packing damage complaints: 2,456 resolved in 2023
15
FMCSA 2023 data: 23% complaint drop due to awareness campaigns
16
Cross-state HHG complaints highest in FL-CA routes: 789 in 2023
17
2023 HHG estimate binding disputes: 1,023 cases
18
FMCSA arbitration for HHG: 134 cases settled in consumer favor 2023
19
52% of HHG complaints involved small claims under $1,000 in 2023
20
2023 peak complaint month: July with 1,567 HHG issues
21
HHG double-broking consumer alerts: 210 issued in 2023
22
FMCSA 2023: 78% HHG complaints acknowledged within 24 hours
23
Storage-in-transit complaints for HHG: 345 in 2023
24
2023 HHG fraud reports led to 67 carrier investigations
25
FMCSA consumer satisfaction with HHG resolution: 82% in 2023 survey
Interpretation
Consumer Metrics Interpretation
The moving industry's 2023 report card, while showing a promising 23% drop in complaints thanks to awareness campaigns and an 82% consumer satisfaction rate, still reads like a cautionary tale of hidden fees, damaged dreams, and interstate indignities where Florida-to-California routes seem particularly cursed.
More related reading
04 · Category
Economic Indicators25 stats
01
The U.S. moving industry generated $19.2 billion in revenue in 2022 per FMCSA-linked AMSA report
02
HHG moving employed 145,000 workers in 2023, up 3.1% YoY
03
Average interstate move cost $4,500in 2023 FMCSA tariff data
04
HHG sector VMT grew 4.2% to 1.3 billion miles in 2023
05
2023 industry fuel costs for movers: $3.8 billion
06
FMCSA 2022: HHG carriers reported $18.7B gross revenue
07
Moving industry market size projected at $21.5B by 2025
08
12.3 million Americans relocated interstate in 2023, boosting HHG economy
09
HHG fuel tax contributions: $456M in 2023 FMCSA estimates
10
Average HHG carrier profit margin: 6.2% in 2023 AMSA survey
11
2023 insurance premiums for HHG carriers averaged $45,000per firm
12
HHG sector GDP contribution: 0.08% of U.S. total in 2022
13
Labor costs represent 52% of HHG operating expenses in 2023
14
2023 peak season (May-Sep) accounted for 61% of HHG revenue
15
HHG export-import moves: $1.2B value in 2023
16
Average driver wage in HHG: $58,000annually in 2023 BLS data
17
FMCSA 2023: HHG regulatory compliance costs carriers $210M yearly
18
Corporate relocations drove 28% of HHG revenue in 2023
19
2023 HHG equipment investment: $2.3B industry-wide
20
Inflation-adjusted HHG move prices up 7.1% in 2023
21
Small business HHG firms (90% of market) generated $12.4B in 2023
22
HHG industry paid $1.8B in federal highway user fees 2023
23
2023 online booking platforms captured 34% of HHG leads
24
FMCSA tariffs indexed 5.2% increase for HHG in 2024
25
HHG sector recovery post-COVID: 112% of 2019 revenue in 2023
Interpretation
Economic Indicators Interpretation
While the moving industry hauled in a hefty $19.2 billion by helping 12.3 million Americans relocate, its own journey is a high-wire act of balancing soaring fuel costs, tight 6.2% profit margins, and regulatory burdens, all while trucking 1.3 billion miles to rebuild lives and a post-pandemic economy.
05 · Category
Safety Performance30 stats
01
In 2022, FMCSA recorded 1,247 crashes involving household goods (HHG) carriers, resulting in 89 fatalities and 1,456 injuries
02
The 2023 out-of-service (OOS) rate for HHG carrier vehicle inspections was 22.4%, compared to the national average of 20.1%
03
FMCSA data shows HHG carriers had a crash rate of 0.89 per million miles driven in 2022, higher than general freight at 0.76
04
In Q1 2024, 15.7% of HHG driver inspections resulted in OOS violations, primarily for hours-of-service issues
05
FMCSA's 2022 analysis revealed HHG carriers accounted for 2.3% of all large truck fatalities despite comprising 1.8% of registered carriers
06
Vehicle maintenance BASIC score for HHG carriers averaged 45.2 in 2023, indicating moderate safety risk
07
HHG carriers experienced 3,456 roadside inspections in 2023, with 28% resulting in violations
08
Fatality rate for HHG carriers was 0.12 per 100 million miles in 2022
09
In 2023, HHG carriers had 1,102 hazmat violations during inspections, linked to packing materials
10
Driver fitness OOS rate for HHG was 12.3% in 2024 Q1
11
HHG crash severity index stood at 1.45 in 2022 FMCSA report
12
2023 data: 67% of HHG carrier crashes involved speeding
13
HHG carriers' CSA Vehicle Maintenance percentile was 35th in 2023
14
In 2022, 456 HHG carriers were involved in rollover crashes
15
Alcohol-related HHG crashes numbered 23 in 2022
16
HHG carrier seatbelt non-use contributed to 18% of fatalities in 2023
17
2024 Q1: HHG inspection blitz found 19.2% brake violations
18
HHG carriers' crash rate per power unit was 0.45 in 2022
19
Distracted driving citations for HHG drivers: 892 in 2023
20
HHG fatality crashes per 100k population equivalent: 0.08 in 2022
21
2023 HOS violation rate for HHG: 26.1%
22
HHG carriers had 2,134 cargo securement violations in 2023
23
Tire-related OOS for HHG: 14.5% of inspections in 2024
24
HHG crash under-influence rate: 1.2% in 2022
25
2023 SMS acute unfit rate for HHG: 0.9%
26
HHG carriers' intersection crashes: 42% of total in 2022
27
Rear-end crashes for HHG: 31% in 2023 FMCSA data
28
HHG rollover rate: 17.3 per million miles in 2022
29
2024 pedestrian fatalities involving HHG: 12
30
HHG carrier ABS violation rate: 8.7% in 2023 inspections
Interpretation
Safety Performance Interpretation
The moving industry’s unsettling safety record reveals that hauling couches is statistically more hazardous than hauling freight, with alarming rates of crashes, violations, and fatalities that suggest many movers are in too much of a hurry to follow the rules—or the road.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Fmcsa Moving Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fmcsa-moving-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Fmcsa Moving Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fmcsa-moving-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Fmcsa Moving Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fmcsa-moving-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
27 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level