The U.S. household goods moving industry generated 19.8 billion dollars in revenue. Consumers paid an average of 4800 dollars for an interstate relocation while 12.4 million moves took place nationwide. These figures show patterns in costs, labor, and fleet operations across the sector.
Key Takeaways
- 68% of U.S. consumers used professional movers for household goods in long-distance relocations in 2023.
- U.S. household goods moving industry employed 145,000 workers in 2023, up 1.8% from 2022.
- U.S. household goods carriers operated 45,000 trucks in 2023 fleet data.
- The U.S. household goods moving industry revenue reached $19.8 billion in 2023, reflecting a 3.7% year-over-year growth driven by increased relocations.
- U.S. household goods moving industry revenue per employee averaged $285,000 in 2023.
Household goods movers handled steady demand, highlighting the growing importance of reliable moving services.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Behavior and Trends14 stats
01
68% of U.S. consumers used professional movers for household goods in long-distance relocations in 2023.
02
Average cost paid by consumers for interstate household moves was $4,800in 2023.
03
45% of millennials relocated for job opportunities, driving household goods demand in 2023.
04
Satisfaction rate with household goods movers was 87% among U.S. consumers in 2023 survey.
05
32% of household moves were local (under 100 miles) in U.S. 2023.
06
Online booking for household goods moving services rose to 52% of total bookings in 2023.
07
Eco-friendly moving options chosen by 28% of consumers in household goods sector 2023.
08
Repeat customers accounted for 41% of household goods moving business in 2023.
09
Summer months (June-August) saw 55% of annual household goods moves in U.S. 2023.
10
19% of consumers reported claims for damaged goods in household moves 2023.
11
Military relocations represented 12% of total household goods moves in U.S. 2023.
12
Average household size moved decreased to 2.8 persons in 2023 U.S. trends.
13
37% of Gen Z consumers preferred full-service household goods packing in 2023.
14
Complaint resolution time for household goods movers averaged 7.2 days in 2023.
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior and Trends Interpretation
Americans in 2023, a nation perpetually in motion, collectively decided that while the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, it's a lot less painful to pay about $4,800 for someone else to carry all your stuff for you.
02 · Category
Employment and Labor17 stats
01
U.S. household goods moving industry employed 145,000 workers in 2023, up 1.8% from 2022.
02
Average hourly wage for heavy truck drivers in household goods moving was $26.45in 2023.
03
62% of household goods moving workforce were full-time employees in U.S. 2023.
04
Labor costs accounted for 38% of total expenses in U.S. household goods moving 2023.
05
Number of establishments in U.S. household goods moving reached 7,200 in 2023.
06
Turnover rate for drivers in household goods industry was 28% annually in 2023.
07
Women represented 12.5% of the household goods moving workforce in U.S. 2023.
08
Average age of household goods movers employees was 42 years in 2023 survey.
09
Unionized workers in U.S. household goods moving comprised 15% of total labor force in 2023.
10
Training hours per new driver hire in household goods averaged 120 hours in 2023.
11
Part-time employment in household goods moving grew 4.2% to 22,000 workers in 2023.
12
Occupational injury rate in household goods moving was 4.1 per 100 workers in 2023.
13
Median annual salary for movers and packers was $38,500in household goods industry 2023.
14
Driver shortage affected 55% of U.S. household goods firms in 2023 survey.
15
Hispanic workers made up 35% of household goods moving labor in U.S. 2023.
16
Overtime hours averaged 450 per driver annually in household goods 2023.
17
Entry-level positions in household goods moving filled 78% by internal promotions in 2023.
Interpretation
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Despite modest growth, the industry grinds forward on a foundation of grueling hours, persistent driver shortages, and high turnover, suggesting the heaviest thing movers lift might just be their own workforce.
03 · Category
Logistics and Operations15 stats
01
U.S. household goods carriers operated 45,000 trucks in 2023 fleet data.
02
Average fleet age for household goods moving trucks was 7.8 years in 2023.
03
On-time delivery rate for interstate household goods moves was 92% in 2023.
04
GPS tracking used in 78% of household goods shipments in U.S. 2023.
05
Average transit time for cross-country household moves was 7-10 days in 2023.
06
Warehouse storage utilization in household goods industry was 65% in 2023.
07
Fuel efficiency for household goods trucks averaged 6.2 MPG in 2023.
08
Number of interstate household goods carriers registered: 5,800 in 2023.
09
Automation in packing reduced labor by 22% for leading household goods firms 2023.
10
Carbon emissions from U.S. household goods moving totaled 2.1 million metric tons in 2023.
11
Average load factor for household goods trucks was 82% in 2023 operations.
12
Third-party logistics used by 34% of household goods moves in 2023.
13
Insurance claims for lost goods averaged $1,200per incident in household 2023.
14
Digital inventory systems adopted by 91% of major household goods movers 2023.
15
Peak season overload led to 15% delay rate in household goods logistics during summer 2023.
Interpretation
Logistics and Operations Interpretation
While the industry's trucks are getting long in the tooth and still guzzle fuel, they're impressively full, largely on-time, and increasingly smart, proving that moving your life across the country is a complex ballet of aging metal and modern data.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size and Growth15 stats
01
The U.S. household goods moving industry revenue reached $19.8 billion in 2023, reflecting a 3.7% year-over-year growth driven by increased relocations.
02
Global household goods moving market size was valued at $92.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030.
03
In 2023, the North American household goods relocation sector accounted for 38% of the global market share.
04
U.S. intrastate moving services within the household goods industry generated $6.2 billion in 2022.
05
The international household goods moving segment grew by 7.1% in 2023, reaching $15.6 billion globally.
06
Corporate relocations contributed 42% to the total U.S. household goods moving market volume in 2023.
07
The DIY moving segment in household goods, including rentals, was valued at $4.1 billion in the U.S. in 2023.
08
Asia-Pacific household goods moving market expanded to $22.3 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 6.8% forecasted.
09
U.S. household goods moving industry saw 12.4 million moves in 2023, up 2.9% from 2022.
10
Europe’s household goods moving sector revenue hit €45.6 billion ($49.2 billion) in 2023.
11
Long-distance household moves in the U.S. comprised 15% of total industry volume, valued at $3.0 billion in 2023.
12
The U.S. household goods moving market is expected to reach $25.1 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.5%.
13
Residential household goods moving accounted for 68% of U.S. industry revenue in 2023.
14
Canada’s household goods moving industry revenue was CAD 2.8 billion ($2.1 billion USD) in 2023.
15
Post-pandemic recovery boosted U.S. household goods moving by 5.3% in market size during 2022-2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
While the global moving industry is marching steadily towards a $100 billion valuation, America's restless spirit—fueled by corporate shuffles, DIY adventures, and a post-pandemic urge to roam—is keeping the wheels turning and the revenue growing, proving that home is where you pack it.
05 · Category
Revenue and Profitability15 stats
01
U.S. household goods moving industry revenue per employee averaged $285,000in 2023.
02
Average profit margin for U.S. household goods movers was 6.2% in 2023.
03
Top 10 U.S. household goods moving companies generated 45% of industry revenue in 2023, totaling $8.9 billion.
04
Cost of goods sold for household goods moving firms averaged 52% of revenue in 2023.
05
Average interstate move revenue per household goods shipment was $4,200in U.S. 2023.
06
U.S. household goods moving EBITDA margins reached 9.8% for leading firms in 2023.
07
Fuel costs represented 18% of operating expenses for household goods carriers in 2023.
08
Average annual revenue growth for U.S. household goods movers was 4.1% from 2018-2023.
09
Corporate account revenue in household goods moving grew 8.2% YoY to $7.4 billion in U.S. 2023.
10
Profit before tax for U.S. household goods industry averaged $1.23 billion in 2023.
11
Depreciation expenses in household goods moving accounted for 7.5% of total costs in 2023.
12
U.S. household goods firms with over $10M revenue saw 5.6% profit margin in 2023.
13
Insurance premiums as % of revenue in household goods moving was 3.4% in 2023.
14
Return on assets for household goods moving companies averaged 11.2% in U.S. 2023.
15
Marketing expenses comprised 4.8% of revenue for top household goods movers in 2023.
Interpretation
Revenue and Profitability Interpretation
The U.S. moving industry proves it's a grueling, fuel-driven marathon where the giants take nearly half the prize money, and after paying for everything from diesel to depreciation, the average mover is left clinging to a profit margin so slim you could slide it under a packed moving box.
Reference
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Household Goods Moving Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/household-goods-moving-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Household Goods Moving Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/household-goods-moving-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Household Goods Moving Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/household-goods-moving-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report