GITNUXREPORT 2026

Moving Storage Industry Statistics

The moving and storage industry continues to grow significantly driven by consumer and corporate demand.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

62% of U.S. consumers used self-storage at least once in their lifetime as of 2023 survey.

Statistic 2

45% of millennials rented storage units in the past year for life transitions in 2023.

Statistic 3

Average U.S. household stores 52% more items than 10 years ago, per 2023 study.

Statistic 4

78% of storage renters are homeowners decluttering, according to 2023 poll.

Statistic 5

Women account for 54% of self-storage customers in urban markets in 2023.

Statistic 6

31% of renters use storage for seasonal items like holiday decorations annually.

Statistic 7

Average storage rental duration is 11.2 months in the U.S., up from 9.8 in 2020.

Statistic 8

67% of corporate relocators prioritize eco-friendly moving companies in 2023.

Statistic 9

Gen Z usage of portable storage grew 22% YoY for college moves in 2023.

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49% of storage users pay for units larger than needed due to poor planning.

Statistic 11

Online bookings account for 58% of new storage reservations in 2023.

Statistic 12

73% of movers hire professionals for interstate moves over 500 miles.

Statistic 13

Average cost sensitivity: 41% switch providers for $10/month savings in storage.

Statistic 14

55% of storage demand from apartment dwellers in high-density cities.

Statistic 15

Repeat customers make up 38% of annual storage revenue stream.

Statistic 16

64% prefer contactless move-in processes post-pandemic in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 17

U.S. average move distance is 448 miles for households in 2023.

Statistic 18

The U.S. moving and storage industry generated $19.2 billion in revenue in 2023, up 4.1% from the previous year driven by residential relocations.

Statistic 19

Global self-storage market size was valued at $62.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2030.

Statistic 20

Average annual revenue per moving company in the U.S. was $2.4 million in 2023 for firms with over 10 employees.

Statistic 21

U-Haul reported $5.8 billion in total revenue for fiscal year 2023, with 52% from moving equipment rentals.

Statistic 22

The portable storage container market in North America reached $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 23

Self-storage facilities in the U.S. averaged $1.8 million in annual revenue per property in 2022.

Statistic 24

Moving labor services segment accounted for 28% of total industry revenue in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 25

Publicly traded self-storage REITs generated $12.4 billion in combined revenue across top 10 firms in 2023.

Statistic 26

Household goods moving revenue in the U.S. military sector was $450 million in FY2022.

Statistic 27

Average profit margin for U.S. moving companies was 6.2% in 2023.

Statistic 28

The U.S. self-storage market occupancy rate averaged 92.3% in Q4 2023.

Statistic 29

International household goods relocation services market was $8.7 billion globally in 2023.

Statistic 30

Top 50 U.S. movers handled 15.2 million lbs of freight per day on average in 2023.

Statistic 31

Storage unit rental rates increased by 5.8% year-over-year in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 32

Corporate relocation services revenue grew to $3.1 billion in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 33

U.S. self-storage construction starts totaled 2.8 million sq ft in 2023.

Statistic 34

Moving truck rental revenue segment was $4.2 billion in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 35

Average EBITDA margin for self-storage operators was 68% in 2023.

Statistic 36

Long-distance moving services captured 35% of U.S. industry revenue in 2023.

Statistic 37

Climate-controlled storage units generated 42% higher revenue per sq ft in 2023.

Statistic 38

The global moving services market is expected to reach $152.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023.

Statistic 39

U.S. self-storage market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR to $45 billion by 2028.

Statistic 40

Portable storage market expected to expand at 7.1% CAGR globally through 2032.

Statistic 41

Demand for mini-storage units forecasted to rise 8.3% annually in urban U.S. areas by 2027.

Statistic 42

Corporate moving services projected to grow 4.8% per year in Europe until 2028.

Statistic 43

U-Haul anticipates 3-5% annual revenue growth through 2027 from fleet expansion.

Statistic 44

Self-storage NOI growth projected at 4.9% CAGR for top markets through 2025.

Statistic 45

Asia-Pacific moving services market to grow fastest at 7.9% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 46

U.S. intrastate moving projected to increase 5.6% annually due to domestic migration.

Statistic 47

Vehicle storage demand expected to surge 9.2% CAGR with EV adoption by 2030.

Statistic 48

Global records management storage market to hit $15.6 billion by 2028 at 6.7% CAGR.

Statistic 49

There are over 52,000 self-storage facilities in the U.S., totaling 2.1 billion sq ft in 2023.

Statistic 50

Average self-storage facility size is 46,000 sq ft with 400 units nationwide.

Statistic 51

U-Haul fleet includes 184,000 trucks and 128,000 trailers as of 2023.

Statistic 52

91% of U.S. self-storage facilities offer 24/7 access to tenants.

Statistic 53

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

Statistic 54

Climate-controlled units comprise 25% of total U.S. storage inventory.

Statistic 55

Average truck utilization rate for moving fleets is 72% during peak season.

Statistic 56

68% of facilities use automated kiosks for payments and access.

Statistic 57

Interstate moving claims averaged $1,200 per incident in 2023.

Statistic 58

Peak moving season (May-Sep) accounts for 68% of annual revenue.

Statistic 59

Drone inspections used in 15% of new storage facility constructions.

Statistic 60

Labor turnover rate in moving industry is 42% annually.

Statistic 61

82% of top movers use GPS tracking on all vehicles.

Statistic 62

Vehicle maintenance costs average $0.18 per mile for moving trucks.

Statistic 63

U.S. has 1 self-storage unit per 11 residents, highest globally.

Statistic 64

Texas leads with 3,200 self-storage facilities, 6% of U.S. total in 2023.

Statistic 65

Florida self-storage market share is 8.2% of national inventory.

Statistic 66

California generated $4.1 billion in self-storage revenue, 10% of U.S. total.

Statistic 67

Southeast U.S. saw 12% YoY growth in moving demand in 2023.

Statistic 68

New York City average storage rent is $250/unit/month, highest nationally.

Statistic 69

Midwest intrastate moves increased 7.4% due to affordability in 2023.

Statistic 70

Atlanta metro added 1.2 million sq ft of storage space in 2023.

Statistic 71

Phoenix occupancy rates hit 95.2%, driven by population influx.

Statistic 72

Canada self-storage penetration is 5.9 sq ft per capita vs. U.S. 7.0.

Statistic 73

UK moving industry handles 1.1 million household moves annually.

Statistic 74

Australia self-storage revenue reached AUD 1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 75

Sun Belt states captured 62% of net U.S. migration moves in 2023.

Statistic 76

Chicago local moving market valued at $850 million annually.

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From a bustling $19.2 billion U.S. moving industry to the staggering statistic that 62% of Americans have used self-storage, the numbers reveal a sector in robust growth, fueled by our constant life transitions and expanding collections of belongings.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. moving and storage industry generated $19.2 billion in revenue in 2023, up 4.1% from the previous year driven by residential relocations.
Global self-storage market size was valued at $62.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2030.
Average annual revenue per moving company in the U.S. was $2.4 million in 2023 for firms with over 10 employees.
The global moving services market is expected to reach $152.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023.
U.S. self-storage market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR to $45 billion by 2028.
Portable storage market expected to expand at 7.1% CAGR globally through 2032.
62% of U.S. consumers used self-storage at least once in their lifetime as of 2023 survey.
45% of millennials rented storage units in the past year for life transitions in 2023.
Average U.S. household stores 52% more items than 10 years ago, per 2023 study.
There are over 52,000 self-storage facilities in the U.S., totaling 2.1 billion sq ft in 2023.
Average self-storage facility size is 46,000 sq ft with 400 units nationwide.
U-Haul fleet includes 184,000 trucks and 128,000 trailers as of 2023.
Texas leads with 3,200 self-storage facilities, 6% of U.S. total in 2023.
Florida self-storage market share is 8.2% of national inventory.
California generated $4.1 billion in self-storage revenue, 10% of U.S. total.

The moving and storage industry continues to grow significantly driven by consumer and corporate demand.

Consumer Insights

62% of U.S. consumers used self-storage at least once in their lifetime as of 2023 survey.
45% of millennials rented storage units in the past year for life transitions in 2023.
Average U.S. household stores 52% more items than 10 years ago, per 2023 study.
78% of storage renters are homeowners decluttering, according to 2023 poll.
Women account for 54% of self-storage customers in urban markets in 2023.
31% of renters use storage for seasonal items like holiday decorations annually.
Average storage rental duration is 11.2 months in the U.S., up from 9.8 in 2020.
67% of corporate relocators prioritize eco-friendly moving companies in 2023.
Gen Z usage of portable storage grew 22% YoY for college moves in 2023.
49% of storage users pay for units larger than needed due to poor planning.
Online bookings account for 58% of new storage reservations in 2023.
73% of movers hire professionals for interstate moves over 500 miles.
Average cost sensitivity: 41% switch providers for $10/month savings in storage.
55% of storage demand from apartment dwellers in high-density cities.
Repeat customers make up 38% of annual storage revenue stream.
64% prefer contactless move-in processes post-pandemic in 2023 surveys.
U.S. average move distance is 448 miles for households in 2023.

Consumer Insights Interpretation

These statistics paint a clear picture of modern life as a relentless game of "stuff Tetris," where we’re constantly renting space to manage our overflow while simultaneously searching for better deals, all because our homes have become mere waystations between storage units.

Financial Metrics

The U.S. moving and storage industry generated $19.2 billion in revenue in 2023, up 4.1% from the previous year driven by residential relocations.
Global self-storage market size was valued at $62.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2030.
Average annual revenue per moving company in the U.S. was $2.4 million in 2023 for firms with over 10 employees.
U-Haul reported $5.8 billion in total revenue for fiscal year 2023, with 52% from moving equipment rentals.
The portable storage container market in North America reached $1.2 billion in 2023.
Self-storage facilities in the U.S. averaged $1.8 million in annual revenue per property in 2022.
Moving labor services segment accounted for 28% of total industry revenue in the U.S. in 2023.
Publicly traded self-storage REITs generated $12.4 billion in combined revenue across top 10 firms in 2023.
Household goods moving revenue in the U.S. military sector was $450 million in FY2022.
Average profit margin for U.S. moving companies was 6.2% in 2023.
The U.S. self-storage market occupancy rate averaged 92.3% in Q4 2023.
International household goods relocation services market was $8.7 billion globally in 2023.
Top 50 U.S. movers handled 15.2 million lbs of freight per day on average in 2023.
Storage unit rental rates increased by 5.8% year-over-year in the U.S. in 2023.
Corporate relocation services revenue grew to $3.1 billion in the U.S. in 2023.
U.S. self-storage construction starts totaled 2.8 million sq ft in 2023.
Moving truck rental revenue segment was $4.2 billion in the U.S. in 2023.
Average EBITDA margin for self-storage operators was 68% in 2023.
Long-distance moving services captured 35% of U.S. industry revenue in 2023.
Climate-controlled storage units generated 42% higher revenue per sq ft in 2023.

Financial Metrics Interpretation

The world of moving and storage reveals a global human truth: whether we're relocating across town or stashing our extra stuff, we are collectively willing to pay billions for the space to navigate our changing lives—and the industry is profiting handsomely from our transient chaos and clutter.

Growth Projections

The global moving services market is expected to reach $152.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023.
U.S. self-storage market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR to $45 billion by 2028.
Portable storage market expected to expand at 7.1% CAGR globally through 2032.
Demand for mini-storage units forecasted to rise 8.3% annually in urban U.S. areas by 2027.
Corporate moving services projected to grow 4.8% per year in Europe until 2028.
U-Haul anticipates 3-5% annual revenue growth through 2027 from fleet expansion.
Self-storage NOI growth projected at 4.9% CAGR for top markets through 2025.
Asia-Pacific moving services market to grow fastest at 7.9% CAGR to 2030.
U.S. intrastate moving projected to increase 5.6% annually due to domestic migration.
Vehicle storage demand expected to surge 9.2% CAGR with EV adoption by 2030.
Global records management storage market to hit $15.6 billion by 2028 at 6.7% CAGR.

Growth Projections Interpretation

Despite humanity's best efforts to live a minimalist, digital life, it seems we are, collectively and quite literally, buying more boxes to put the stuff we can't fit in our other boxes.

Industry Operations

There are over 52,000 self-storage facilities in the U.S., totaling 2.1 billion sq ft in 2023.
Average self-storage facility size is 46,000 sq ft with 400 units nationwide.
U-Haul fleet includes 184,000 trucks and 128,000 trailers as of 2023.
91% of U.S. self-storage facilities offer 24/7 access to tenants.
Moving industry employs 250,000 workers directly in the U.S. in 2023.
Climate-controlled units comprise 25% of total U.S. storage inventory.
Average truck utilization rate for moving fleets is 72% during peak season.
68% of facilities use automated kiosks for payments and access.
Interstate moving claims averaged $1,200 per incident in 2023.
Peak moving season (May-Sep) accounts for 68% of annual revenue.
Drone inspections used in 15% of new storage facility constructions.
Labor turnover rate in moving industry is 42% annually.
82% of top movers use GPS tracking on all vehicles.
Vehicle maintenance costs average $0.18 per mile for moving trucks.
U.S. has 1 self-storage unit per 11 residents, highest globally.

Industry Operations Interpretation

America seems determined to box up and relocate its entire soul, building a nation of 2.1 billion square feet of meticulously organized, climate-controlled, and GPS-tracked anxiety to hold all the stuff we can't bear to part with but rarely visit, employing a quarter-million people in a seasonal, high-turnover ritual of hauling it all from one storage unit to the next.

Regional Data

Texas leads with 3,200 self-storage facilities, 6% of U.S. total in 2023.
Florida self-storage market share is 8.2% of national inventory.
California generated $4.1 billion in self-storage revenue, 10% of U.S. total.
Southeast U.S. saw 12% YoY growth in moving demand in 2023.
New York City average storage rent is $250/unit/month, highest nationally.
Midwest intrastate moves increased 7.4% due to affordability in 2023.
Atlanta metro added 1.2 million sq ft of storage space in 2023.
Phoenix occupancy rates hit 95.2%, driven by population influx.
Canada self-storage penetration is 5.9 sq ft per capita vs. U.S. 7.0.
UK moving industry handles 1.1 million household moves annually.
Australia self-storage revenue reached AUD 1.2 billion in 2023.
Sun Belt states captured 62% of net U.S. migration moves in 2023.
Chicago local moving market valued at $850 million annually.

Regional Data Interpretation

While Texas boasts the most self-storage facilities and California rakes in the most cash, the real story is that the entire industry is booming because Americans, especially in the Sun Belt, are constantly on the move, stuffing their lives into expensive closets and proving that our national hobby is accumulating things we’ll eventually pay to forget.

Sources & References

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