Moving And Storage Industry Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Moving And Storage Industry Statistics

Find out what is pushing moving and storage costs and capacity, from a 2024 long distance price point of about $4,800 and a 2024 shift of 3.5% year over year in moving services prices to rent pressures and fuel costs that can quickly change the total bill. See how logistics reliability, labor and injury risk, and the storage market size are lining up, including about 1,100 mini storage facilities and 290 million square feet of industrial net absorption, plus the median $1,500 moving scam loss that can hit hardest when schedules slip.

33 statistics33 sources8 sections7 min readUpdated 4 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

U.S. moving and storage employment was 1.09 million in 2023 (NAICS 488—Transportation and Warehousing)

Statistic 2

U.S. warehousing and storage (NAICS 493) establishments totaled 52,000 in 2022

Statistic 3

Median annual wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers was $33,280 in 2023 (BLS)

Statistic 4

BLS CPI category “Household furnishings and operations” for “Moving services” index change 2024: 3.5% y/y

Statistic 5

U.S. CPI for “Rent of primary residence” increased 4.1% y/y in April 2024 (context for move drivers)

Statistic 6

Average diesel fuel price in the U.S. was $4.29/gallon on May 14, 2024 (EIA)

Statistic 7

Average retail gasoline price in the U.S. was $3.59/gallon on May 14, 2024 (EIA)

Statistic 8

U.S. PPI for ‘Trucking and warehousing’ increased 2.3% in 2024Q1 (BLS PPI)

Statistic 9

U.S. average hourly wage growth for transportation and warehousing increased 4.0% in 2024Q1 (BLS Employment Cost Index)

Statistic 10

The average U.S. moving cost for a long-distance move was about $4,800 in 2023 (survey-based average).

Statistic 11

JLL reported U.S. industrial rents averaged $7.60 per sq. ft. (net asking rent) in Q4 2024.

Statistic 12

U.S. producer prices for “Trucking and warehousing” rose 6.3% from 2021 to 2023 (cumulative change)—capturing multi-year cost escalation in the segment

Statistic 13

Average asking rents for U.S. industrial space were $6.30 per sq. ft. in Q1 2024 (net asking rent, weighted average)—guiding storage/warehouse lease cost expectations

Statistic 14

IBISWorld forecasts U.S. household moving services industry revenue growth of 2.2% in 2024.

Statistic 15

1.6% year-over-year growth in the U.S. Moving and Storage producer price index (PPI) category “Moving and storage services” in 2024 (percent change reported in annual table).

Statistic 16

IBISWorld estimated the U.S. self-storage operators industry grew by 3.7% in 2023.

Statistic 17

Cushman & Wakefield reported U.S. industrial vacancy averaged 4.2% in Q4 2024 (U.S. industrial market snapshot).

Statistic 18

Colliers reported net absorption of 290 million sq. ft. for U.S. industrial in 2024 (annual net absorption figure).

Statistic 19

National private warehouse vacancy averaged 4.6% in Q1 2024—signaling tightness/availability that affects storage pricing

Statistic 20

As of 2024, there were about 1,100 mini-storage facilities operating in the U.S. (storage operator count estimate in an IBISWorld snapshot).

Statistic 21

IBISWorld estimated U.S. self-storage operators industry revenue at about $40 billion in 2023.

Statistic 22

The U.S. warehousing and storage services market was $1.4 trillion in 2023 (IBISWorld/other market sizing estimate cited in a report compilation).

Statistic 23

1,350 million square feet of U.S. warehouse space was estimated in 2023—indicating the scale of storage capacity tied to moving/storage demand

Statistic 24

The Better Business Bureau reported that moving scams and fraudulent moving practices led to a median loss amount of $1,500 per complaint (BBB Scam Tracker summary figure).

Statistic 25

USPS reported 84.2% of packages delivered on time in 2023—parcel/logistics service performance that affects moving-related shipping and last-mile expectations

Statistic 26

In 2023, UPS reported 96.2% on-time delivery for ground shipments—another logistics reliability benchmark relevant to time-sensitive move schedules

Statistic 27

1.2% of U.S. workers are employed in transportation and warehousing in 2023—providing context for the labor pool that includes moving and storage

Statistic 28

$19.64 per hour median hourly wage for transportation-related occupations in 2023 (including warehousing/related roles as categorized by OES)—a wage benchmark for the broader segment

Statistic 29

1,097,000 employees worked in transportation and warehousing during 2023 (QCEW employment)—a macro employment reference for the broader NAICS 48/49 group

Statistic 30

10.3% of U.S. all worker deaths in 2022 were in transportation and material moving occupations—risk context for the industry’s labor segment

Statistic 31

2.6% of U.S. employers reported at least one injury or illness case in 2023 for transportation and warehousing—industry-level reporting rate

Statistic 32

U.S. retail self-storage investment volume reached $7.9 billion in 2023—showing capital market interest in storage facilities

Statistic 33

U.S. self-storage REITs had a weighted average dividend yield of 3.9% in 2024—reflecting shareholder return expectations for the storage segment

Sources
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Marcus Engström

Written by Marcus Engström·Edited by Katherine Brennan·Fact-checked by Nicholas Chambers

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 14, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

U.S. household moving services revenue is forecast to grow 2.2% in 2024, even as costs and logistics signals keep shifting in parallel. Employment in transportation and warehousing totals 1.09 million, while warehouse capacity and pricing pressure are reflected by a 4.6% private warehouse vacancy rate in early 2024. If you are planning a move, the tension between wage growth, fuel prices, and scam risk is exactly where the most telling statistics start to separate.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. moving and storage employment was 1.09 million in 2023 (NAICS 488—Transportation and Warehousing)
  • U.S. warehousing and storage (NAICS 493) establishments totaled 52,000 in 2022
  • Median annual wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers was $33,280 in 2023 (BLS)
  • BLS CPI category “Household furnishings and operations” for “Moving services” index change 2024: 3.5% y/y
  • U.S. CPI for “Rent of primary residence” increased 4.1% y/y in April 2024 (context for move drivers)
  • Average diesel fuel price in the U.S. was $4.29/gallon on May 14, 2024 (EIA)
  • IBISWorld forecasts U.S. household moving services industry revenue growth of 2.2% in 2024.
  • 1.6% year-over-year growth in the U.S. Moving and Storage producer price index (PPI) category “Moving and storage services” in 2024 (percent change reported in annual table).
  • IBISWorld estimated the U.S. self-storage operators industry grew by 3.7% in 2023.
  • As of 2024, there were about 1,100 mini-storage facilities operating in the U.S. (storage operator count estimate in an IBISWorld snapshot).
  • IBISWorld estimated U.S. self-storage operators industry revenue at about $40 billion in 2023.
  • The U.S. warehousing and storage services market was $1.4 trillion in 2023 (IBISWorld/other market sizing estimate cited in a report compilation).
  • The Better Business Bureau reported that moving scams and fraudulent moving practices led to a median loss amount of $1,500 per complaint (BBB Scam Tracker summary figure).
  • USPS reported 84.2% of packages delivered on time in 2023—parcel/logistics service performance that affects moving-related shipping and last-mile expectations
  • In 2023, UPS reported 96.2% on-time delivery for ground shipments—another logistics reliability benchmark relevant to time-sensitive move schedules

In 2023, the U.S. moving and storage sector employed 1.09 million people amid rising costs and demand.

Employment

1U.S. moving and storage employment was 1.09 million in 2023 (NAICS 488—Transportation and Warehousing)[1]
Directional
2U.S. warehousing and storage (NAICS 493) establishments totaled 52,000 in 2022[2]
Verified
3Median annual wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers was $33,280 in 2023 (BLS)[3]
Single source

Employment Interpretation

In the Employment category, the U.S. moving and storage sector employed 1.09 million people in 2023 while laborers and freight and stock movers earned a median annual wage of $33,280 in 2023, signaling a sizable workforce supported by steady, moderate pay levels.

Cost Analysis

1BLS CPI category “Household furnishings and operations” for “Moving services” index change 2024: 3.5% y/y[4]
Verified
2U.S. CPI for “Rent of primary residence” increased 4.1% y/y in April 2024 (context for move drivers)[5]
Verified
3Average diesel fuel price in the U.S. was $4.29/gallon on May 14, 2024 (EIA)[6]
Verified
4Average retail gasoline price in the U.S. was $3.59/gallon on May 14, 2024 (EIA)[7]
Verified
5U.S. PPI for ‘Trucking and warehousing’ increased 2.3% in 2024Q1 (BLS PPI)[8]
Single source
6U.S. average hourly wage growth for transportation and warehousing increased 4.0% in 2024Q1 (BLS Employment Cost Index)[9]
Verified
7The average U.S. moving cost for a long-distance move was about $4,800 in 2023 (survey-based average).[10]
Directional
8JLL reported U.S. industrial rents averaged $7.60 per sq. ft. (net asking rent) in Q4 2024.[11]
Verified
9U.S. producer prices for “Trucking and warehousing” rose 6.3% from 2021 to 2023 (cumulative change)—capturing multi-year cost escalation in the segment[12]
Verified
10Average asking rents for U.S. industrial space were $6.30 per sq. ft. in Q1 2024 (net asking rent, weighted average)—guiding storage/warehouse lease cost expectations[13]
Verified

Cost Analysis Interpretation

For cost analysis, the moving and storage market is seeing sustained upward pressure with long distance moving averaging about $4,800 in 2023 and key inputs like trucking and warehousing PPI up 6.3% from 2021 to 2023 while industrial lease benchmarks remain high at $7.60 per sq. ft. in Q4 2024.

Market Size

1As of 2024, there were about 1,100 mini-storage facilities operating in the U.S. (storage operator count estimate in an IBISWorld snapshot).[20]
Verified
2IBISWorld estimated U.S. self-storage operators industry revenue at about $40 billion in 2023.[21]
Verified
3The U.S. warehousing and storage services market was $1.4 trillion in 2023 (IBISWorld/other market sizing estimate cited in a report compilation).[22]
Verified
41,350 million square feet of U.S. warehouse space was estimated in 2023—indicating the scale of storage capacity tied to moving/storage demand[23]
Directional

Market Size Interpretation

With 2023 revenue of about $40 billion for U.S. self-storage and a $1.4 trillion warehousing and storage market tied to roughly 1,350 million square feet of warehouse space, the market size signal is that moving and storage demand is supported by both large operator scale and massive physical capacity.

Performance Metrics

1The Better Business Bureau reported that moving scams and fraudulent moving practices led to a median loss amount of $1,500 per complaint (BBB Scam Tracker summary figure).[24]
Verified
2USPS reported 84.2% of packages delivered on time in 2023—parcel/logistics service performance that affects moving-related shipping and last-mile expectations[25]
Single source
3In 2023, UPS reported 96.2% on-time delivery for ground shipments—another logistics reliability benchmark relevant to time-sensitive move schedules[26]
Verified

Performance Metrics Interpretation

Performance Metrics show that logistics reliability is strong with USPS at 84.2% on time and UPS at 96.2% for ground shipments, yet moving complaints can still hit a median loss of $1,500 due to scams and fraudulent practices.

Labor & Wages

11.2% of U.S. workers are employed in transportation and warehousing in 2023—providing context for the labor pool that includes moving and storage[27]
Single source
2$19.64 per hour median hourly wage for transportation-related occupations in 2023 (including warehousing/related roles as categorized by OES)—a wage benchmark for the broader segment[28]
Verified
31,097,000 employees worked in transportation and warehousing during 2023 (QCEW employment)—a macro employment reference for the broader NAICS 48/49 group[29]
Verified

Labor & Wages Interpretation

In 2023, moving and storage sits within a broader transportation and warehousing labor market where 1,097,000 workers are employed and the median hourly pay for transportation-related occupations is $19.64, reflecting a steady but relatively modest wage environment for the Labor and Wages category despite representing 1.2% of all U.S. workers.

Safety & Compliance

110.3% of U.S. all worker deaths in 2022 were in transportation and material moving occupations—risk context for the industry’s labor segment[30]
Verified
22.6% of U.S. employers reported at least one injury or illness case in 2023 for transportation and warehousing—industry-level reporting rate[31]
Verified

Safety & Compliance Interpretation

Safety and compliance in the moving and storage industry remains a real concern because transportation and material moving occupations accounted for 10.3% of all U.S. worker deaths in 2022 and 2.6% of U.S. employers reported at least one injury or illness case in 2023 for transportation and warehousing.

Investment & Capital

1U.S. retail self-storage investment volume reached $7.9 billion in 2023—showing capital market interest in storage facilities[32]
Verified
2U.S. self-storage REITs had a weighted average dividend yield of 3.9% in 2024—reflecting shareholder return expectations for the storage segment[33]
Directional

Investment & Capital Interpretation

In 2023, U.S. retail self-storage attracted $7.9 billion in investment volume, and by 2024 its REITs offered a 3.9% weighted average dividend yield, underscoring sustained capital market interest and steady shareholder return expectations for the storage segment.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Moving And Storage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/moving-and-storage-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Moving And Storage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/moving-and-storage-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Moving And Storage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/moving-and-storage-industry-statistics.

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