GITNUXREPORT 2026

Moving Industry Statistics

The moving industry is thriving globally due to rising demand and steady economic growth.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

72% of U.S. consumers aged 25-34 moved at least once in 2023, highest demographic rate.

Statistic 2

Average cost of a local move in the U.S. rose to $1,450 in 2023, up 8% from 2022.

Statistic 3

45% of Americans prefer full-service movers over DIY for long-distance relocations in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 4

Spring (March-May) accounts for 52% of all U.S. residential moves annually.

Statistic 5

28% of U.S. moves in 2023 were job-related, down from 35% pre-pandemic.

Statistic 6

Millennials represent 48% of all moving customers in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 7

61% of consumers book movers online via apps or websites in 2023, up from 42% in 2020.

Statistic 8

Average U.S. household moves every 8.3 years, with urban dwellers at 5.2 years.

Statistic 9

37% of 2023 moves were motivated by lower housing costs, per consumer surveys.

Statistic 10

Women initiate 55% of household moving decisions in U.S. families.

Statistic 11

19% of U.S. renters moved in 2023 due to rent increases exceeding 10%.

Statistic 12

Eco-friendly moving options chosen by 34% of consumers in 2023 polls.

Statistic 13

Average packing time for U.S. consumers is 25 hours per move, with 40% outsourcing.

Statistic 14

52% of long-distance moves in 2023 involved families with children under 18.

Statistic 15

41% of Baby Boomers downsized in moves during 2023.

Statistic 16

Pet-owning households (65% of U.S.) factor pet services into 73% of move choices.

Statistic 17

27% of 2023 U.S. moves were to suburbs from cities post-pandemic.

Statistic 18

Consumers aged 18-24 prefer container services 3x more than traditional trucks.

Statistic 19

68% read online reviews before selecting movers, average 12 reviews per choice.

Statistic 20

International moves sought by 8% of high-income U.S. households annually.

Statistic 21

44% of moves delayed due to scheduling conflicts in peak seasons.

Statistic 22

Hybrid workers move 22% more frequently for lifestyle reasons.

Statistic 23

56% of consumers use storage during transitions, averaging 3 months.

Statistic 24

U.S. moving industry employs 250,000 workers directly in 2023.

Statistic 25

Average mover salary $18.50/hour, with 12% annual turnover.

Statistic 26

65% of workforce is male, aged 25-44, with 22% unionized.

Statistic 27

Driver shortage affects 35% of companies, needing 15,000 more.

Statistic 28

Training hours average 40/week for new hires, reducing errors 25%.

Statistic 29

Independent contractors make up 28% of labor force.

Statistic 30

Injury rate 4.2 per 100 workers, higher than average logistics.

Statistic 31

Corporate relocation managers number 12,000 in U.S., avg salary $85k.

Statistic 32

Seasonal hiring peaks at 50,000 additional workers in summer.

Statistic 33

17% of workforce bilingual, essential for 22% of moves.

Statistic 34

Dispatcher roles grew 8% to 18,000 positions in 2023.

Statistic 35

Overtime comprises 22% of payroll during peaks.

Statistic 36

Veteran employment in industry at 11%, above national avg.

Statistic 37

Certification rates: 82% CDL drivers, 45% HHG qualified.

Statistic 38

Female workforce participation rose to 22% in 2023.

Statistic 39

Part-time workers 31%, avg 28 hours/week.

Statistic 40

Benefits coverage: 58% health insurance, 34% 401k.

Statistic 41

Logistics coordinators avg salary $52k, demand up 14%.

Statistic 42

High school diploma sufficient for 76% entry-level jobs.

Statistic 43

Unemployment rate in sector 3.8%, below national 4.1%.

Statistic 44

U.S. intrastate moves average 50 miles, while interstate average 1,200 miles.

Statistic 45

Average moving truck fleet utilization rate is 72% during peak seasons.

Statistic 46

85% of U.S. moves use diesel trucks, emitting 14 million tons CO2 annually.

Statistic 47

Labor shortages caused 23% of delays in 2023 moves.

Statistic 48

Average local move involves 5.2 movers and 4 hours labor.

Statistic 49

Interstate moves require 15 permits on average per shipment.

Statistic 50

92% of moves insured, with average claim value $4,200 in 2023.

Statistic 51

Container services handle 18% of long-distance moves, reducing damage by 40%.

Statistic 52

Peak season fuel costs rose 15% to $0.45/mile average.

Statistic 53

White-glove delivery for furniture used in 12% of premium moves.

Statistic 54

GPS tracking implemented in 67% of fleets, cutting lost items by 30%.

Statistic 55

Average truck capacity 2,500 cu ft, but 78% loads average 1,800 cu ft.

Statistic 56

Cross-border Canada-U.S. moves average 7 days transit time.

Statistic 57

Damage claims represent 3.2% of moves, mostly from improper packing.

Statistic 58

Third-party logistics used by 29% of corporate relocations.

Statistic 59

Elevator moves add 25% to labor costs on average.

Statistic 60

Overseas container shipping averages 25-40 days for household goods.

Statistic 61

Fleet maintenance costs $0.12/mile, 18% of operating expenses.

Statistic 62

41% of moves require assembly/disassembly services.

Statistic 63

Hazardous materials handling certified in 76% of fleets.

Statistic 64

The U.S. moving industry generated $19.7 billion in revenue in 2023, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year growth driven by housing market recovery.

Statistic 65

Global moving services market size reached $92.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 66

Residential moving segment accounted for 68% of the total U.S. moving market revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $13.4 billion.

Statistic 67

Commercial relocation services in North America grew by 4.1% in 2023, contributing $4.8 billion to the industry's overall revenue.

Statistic 68

The moving industry in Europe expanded to €25.6 billion in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 4.7% through 2028 due to urbanization trends.

Statistic 69

U.S. self-storage related moving services added $2.1 billion in ancillary revenue in 2023.

Statistic 70

Asia-Pacific moving market is expected to reach $28.3 billion by 2027, growing at 6.2% CAGR from post-pandemic mobility.

Statistic 71

Long-distance moving services in the U.S. represented 42% of industry revenue in 2023, equating to $8.27 billion.

Statistic 72

The Canadian moving industry revenue hit CAD 2.8 billion in 2023, up 2.9% amid rising interprovincial migrations.

Statistic 73

International household goods moving market valued at $12.5 billion globally in 2023, with 5.1% projected growth.

Statistic 74

U.S. moving industry employment contributed to 1.2% of transportation sector GDP in 2022 at $18.9 billion.

Statistic 75

Student and seasonal moving services surged 7.3% in revenue to $1.4 billion in the U.S. during summer 2023.

Statistic 76

Australian moving services industry reached AUD 3.1 billion in FY2023, growing 3.8% on housing turnover.

Statistic 77

UK removals market size stood at £2.4 billion in 2023, with 4.2% CAGR forecast to 2028.

Statistic 78

Self-move rental truck segment generated $4.6 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023, up 5.4%.

Statistic 79

Latin America moving market projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2023 to $6.1 billion by 2030 at 5.5% CAGR.

Statistic 80

U.S. military relocation services market valued at $1.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 81

India moving services market expanded to INR 45 billion in 2023, fueled by urban migration.

Statistic 82

Middle East moving industry reached $3.7 billion in 2023, with expat relocations driving 6% growth.

Statistic 83

U.S. piano and specialty item moving niche generated $450 million in 2023 revenue.

Statistic 84

Africa moving services market size estimated at $2.9 billion in 2023, growing at 4.9% CAGR.

Statistic 85

New Zealand moving industry revenue hit NZD 650 million in 2023.

Statistic 86

U.S. interstate moving revenue portion was $7.9 billion in 2023, 40% of total.

Statistic 87

China domestic moving market valued at CNY 120 billion in 2023.

Statistic 88

AI scheduling tools adopted by 24% firms, cutting labor needs 10%.

Statistic 89

71% of fleets use telematics for route optimization, saving 12% fuel.

Statistic 90

Mobile apps for booking used by 55% consumers, integrated with 40% companies.

Statistic 91

Drone inspections for warehouses piloted in 5% operations.

Statistic 92

Blockchain for inventory tracking in 8% international moves.

Statistic 93

VR training modules reduce onboarding time 35% in 15% firms.

Statistic 94

IoT sensors on 32% loads monitor temp/humidity real-time.

Statistic 95

Autonomous trucks tested in 3% long-haul routes, 20% efficiency gain.

Statistic 96

Cloud-based CRM systems in 68% companies, boosting leads 25%.

Statistic 97

AR apps for packing visualization used by 12% consumers.

Statistic 98

Predictive analytics forecast demand with 88% accuracy in peak seasons.

Statistic 99

Electric vehicle adoption in fleets at 7%, targeting 25% by 2030.

Statistic 100

Robotic arms for loading tested, handling 500 boxes/hour.

Statistic 101

Digital contracts signed electronically in 82% transactions.

Statistic 102

Big data analyzes 1.2M moves/year for trend insights.

Statistic 103

5G connectivity enables live video feeds in 19% premium services.

Statistic 104

AI chatbots handle 45% initial inquiries, 24/7 availability.

Statistic 105

Wearable tech for worker safety in 11% operations, reducing injuries 18%.

Statistic 106

Satellite GPS precision to 1m in 56% fleets.

Statistic 107

NFT-based asset tracking for high-value items in pilot programs.

Statistic 108

Quantum computing optimizes routes for 2% mega-fleets.

Statistic 109

Biometric access for secure storage adopted by 14% facilities.

1/109

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Did you know the moving industry isn't just about cardboard boxes and trucks, but a global economic powerhouse generating nearly $20 billion in the U.S. alone and shaping relocation trends from suburban family homes to international corporate shifts?

Key Takeaways

The U.S. moving industry generated $19.7 billion in revenue in 2023, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year growth driven by housing market recovery.
Global moving services market size reached $92.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030.
Residential moving segment accounted for 68% of the total U.S. moving market revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $13.4 billion.
72% of U.S. consumers aged 25-34 moved at least once in 2023, highest demographic rate.
Average cost of a local move in the U.S. rose to $1,450 in 2023, up 8% from 2022.
45% of Americans prefer full-service movers over DIY for long-distance relocations in 2023 surveys.
U.S. intrastate moves average 50 miles, while interstate average 1,200 miles.
Average moving truck fleet utilization rate is 72% during peak seasons.
85% of U.S. moves use diesel trucks, emitting 14 million tons CO2 annually.
U.S. moving industry employs 250,000 workers directly in 2023.
Average mover salary $18.50/hour, with 12% annual turnover.
65% of workforce is male, aged 25-44, with 22% unionized.
AI scheduling tools adopted by 24% firms, cutting labor needs 10%.
71% of fleets use telematics for route optimization, saving 12% fuel.
Mobile apps for booking used by 55% consumers, integrated with 40% companies.

The moving industry is thriving globally due to rising demand and steady economic growth.

Consumer Behavior and Trends

72% of U.S. consumers aged 25-34 moved at least once in 2023, highest demographic rate.
Average cost of a local move in the U.S. rose to $1,450 in 2023, up 8% from 2022.
45% of Americans prefer full-service movers over DIY for long-distance relocations in 2023 surveys.
Spring (March-May) accounts for 52% of all U.S. residential moves annually.
28% of U.S. moves in 2023 were job-related, down from 35% pre-pandemic.
Millennials represent 48% of all moving customers in the U.S. in 2023.
61% of consumers book movers online via apps or websites in 2023, up from 42% in 2020.
Average U.S. household moves every 8.3 years, with urban dwellers at 5.2 years.
37% of 2023 moves were motivated by lower housing costs, per consumer surveys.
Women initiate 55% of household moving decisions in U.S. families.
19% of U.S. renters moved in 2023 due to rent increases exceeding 10%.
Eco-friendly moving options chosen by 34% of consumers in 2023 polls.
Average packing time for U.S. consumers is 25 hours per move, with 40% outsourcing.
52% of long-distance moves in 2023 involved families with children under 18.
41% of Baby Boomers downsized in moves during 2023.
Pet-owning households (65% of U.S.) factor pet services into 73% of move choices.
27% of 2023 U.S. moves were to suburbs from cities post-pandemic.
Consumers aged 18-24 prefer container services 3x more than traditional trucks.
68% read online reviews before selecting movers, average 12 reviews per choice.
International moves sought by 8% of high-income U.S. households annually.
44% of moves delayed due to scheduling conflicts in peak seasons.
Hybrid workers move 22% more frequently for lifestyle reasons.
56% of consumers use storage during transitions, averaging 3 months.

Consumer Behavior and Trends Interpretation

The moving industry is being relentlessly driven by millennials, who are statistically more nomadic than a herd of cats, navigating higher prices with their phones to book moves motivated less by jobs and more by the pursuit of affordable, pet-friendly sanity.

Employment and Workforce

U.S. moving industry employs 250,000 workers directly in 2023.
Average mover salary $18.50/hour, with 12% annual turnover.
65% of workforce is male, aged 25-44, with 22% unionized.
Driver shortage affects 35% of companies, needing 15,000 more.
Training hours average 40/week for new hires, reducing errors 25%.
Independent contractors make up 28% of labor force.
Injury rate 4.2 per 100 workers, higher than average logistics.
Corporate relocation managers number 12,000 in U.S., avg salary $85k.
Seasonal hiring peaks at 50,000 additional workers in summer.
17% of workforce bilingual, essential for 22% of moves.
Dispatcher roles grew 8% to 18,000 positions in 2023.
Overtime comprises 22% of payroll during peaks.
Veteran employment in industry at 11%, above national avg.
Certification rates: 82% CDL drivers, 45% HHG qualified.
Female workforce participation rose to 22% in 2023.
Part-time workers 31%, avg 28 hours/week.
Benefits coverage: 58% health insurance, 34% 401k.
Logistics coordinators avg salary $52k, demand up 14%.
High school diploma sufficient for 76% entry-level jobs.
Unemployment rate in sector 3.8%, below national 4.1%.

Employment and Workforce Interpretation

The moving industry is a gritty, high-turnover world where underpaid muscle battles constant injury rates and driver shortages, all while keeping America's belongings—and its corporate transferees—on the road.

Industry Operations and Logistics

U.S. intrastate moves average 50 miles, while interstate average 1,200 miles.
Average moving truck fleet utilization rate is 72% during peak seasons.
85% of U.S. moves use diesel trucks, emitting 14 million tons CO2 annually.
Labor shortages caused 23% of delays in 2023 moves.
Average local move involves 5.2 movers and 4 hours labor.
Interstate moves require 15 permits on average per shipment.
92% of moves insured, with average claim value $4,200 in 2023.
Container services handle 18% of long-distance moves, reducing damage by 40%.
Peak season fuel costs rose 15% to $0.45/mile average.
White-glove delivery for furniture used in 12% of premium moves.
GPS tracking implemented in 67% of fleets, cutting lost items by 30%.
Average truck capacity 2,500 cu ft, but 78% loads average 1,800 cu ft.
Cross-border Canada-U.S. moves average 7 days transit time.
Damage claims represent 3.2% of moves, mostly from improper packing.
Third-party logistics used by 29% of corporate relocations.
Elevator moves add 25% to labor costs on average.
Overseas container shipping averages 25-40 days for household goods.
Fleet maintenance costs $0.12/mile, 18% of operating expenses.
41% of moves require assembly/disassembly services.
Hazardous materials handling certified in 76% of fleets.

Industry Operations and Logistics Interpretation

The moving industry is a complex ballet of logistics and diesel fumes, where we meticulously transport lives across states with underutilized trucks while navigating permits, labor shortages, and the constant hope that the sofa fits in the elevator without adding a fortune to the bill.

Market Size and Growth

The U.S. moving industry generated $19.7 billion in revenue in 2023, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year growth driven by housing market recovery.
Global moving services market size reached $92.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030.
Residential moving segment accounted for 68% of the total U.S. moving market revenue in 2023, totaling approximately $13.4 billion.
Commercial relocation services in North America grew by 4.1% in 2023, contributing $4.8 billion to the industry's overall revenue.
The moving industry in Europe expanded to €25.6 billion in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 4.7% through 2028 due to urbanization trends.
U.S. self-storage related moving services added $2.1 billion in ancillary revenue in 2023.
Asia-Pacific moving market is expected to reach $28.3 billion by 2027, growing at 6.2% CAGR from post-pandemic mobility.
Long-distance moving services in the U.S. represented 42% of industry revenue in 2023, equating to $8.27 billion.
The Canadian moving industry revenue hit CAD 2.8 billion in 2023, up 2.9% amid rising interprovincial migrations.
International household goods moving market valued at $12.5 billion globally in 2023, with 5.1% projected growth.
U.S. moving industry employment contributed to 1.2% of transportation sector GDP in 2022 at $18.9 billion.
Student and seasonal moving services surged 7.3% in revenue to $1.4 billion in the U.S. during summer 2023.
Australian moving services industry reached AUD 3.1 billion in FY2023, growing 3.8% on housing turnover.
UK removals market size stood at £2.4 billion in 2023, with 4.2% CAGR forecast to 2028.
Self-move rental truck segment generated $4.6 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023, up 5.4%.
Latin America moving market projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2023 to $6.1 billion by 2030 at 5.5% CAGR.
U.S. military relocation services market valued at $1.8 billion in 2023.
India moving services market expanded to INR 45 billion in 2023, fueled by urban migration.
Middle East moving industry reached $3.7 billion in 2023, with expat relocations driving 6% growth.
U.S. piano and specialty item moving niche generated $450 million in 2023 revenue.
Africa moving services market size estimated at $2.9 billion in 2023, growing at 4.9% CAGR.
New Zealand moving industry revenue hit NZD 650 million in 2023.
U.S. interstate moving revenue portion was $7.9 billion in 2023, 40% of total.
China domestic moving market valued at CNY 120 billion in 2023.

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

Despite the world's chaotic state, our collective desire to pack up our lives and move them somewhere new continues to drive a surprisingly robust global economy, proving that wherever we roam, the business of boxes and fresh starts is always booming.

Technology and Innovation

AI scheduling tools adopted by 24% firms, cutting labor needs 10%.
71% of fleets use telematics for route optimization, saving 12% fuel.
Mobile apps for booking used by 55% consumers, integrated with 40% companies.
Drone inspections for warehouses piloted in 5% operations.
Blockchain for inventory tracking in 8% international moves.
VR training modules reduce onboarding time 35% in 15% firms.
IoT sensors on 32% loads monitor temp/humidity real-time.
Autonomous trucks tested in 3% long-haul routes, 20% efficiency gain.
Cloud-based CRM systems in 68% companies, boosting leads 25%.
AR apps for packing visualization used by 12% consumers.
Predictive analytics forecast demand with 88% accuracy in peak seasons.
Electric vehicle adoption in fleets at 7%, targeting 25% by 2030.
Robotic arms for loading tested, handling 500 boxes/hour.
Digital contracts signed electronically in 82% transactions.
Big data analyzes 1.2M moves/year for trend insights.
5G connectivity enables live video feeds in 19% premium services.
AI chatbots handle 45% initial inquiries, 24/7 availability.
Wearable tech for worker safety in 11% operations, reducing injuries 18%.
Satellite GPS precision to 1m in 56% fleets.
NFT-based asset tracking for high-value items in pilot programs.
Quantum computing optimizes routes for 2% mega-fleets.
Biometric access for secure storage adopted by 14% facilities.

Technology and Innovation Interpretation

While the moving industry is steadily swapping sweat for silicon by automating scheduling and routes, it’s clear we’re still in a transitional heave-ho where your grandma’s china is just as likely to be tracked by blockchain as it is by a guy named Chuck with a clipboard.

Sources & References

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