Moving Statistics 2019: Annual Moving Industry Infographic

We’ve been closely watching the moving industry trends since 2012 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018), and we are unanimous that 2019 has been an intriguing year for the U.S. Moving and Storage Industry. 

According to mobility data compiled and published by the United States Census Bureau, around 32 million Americans moved house in 2018 – that’s about 10% of the entire U.S. population. And with so many people on the move, it’s clear that things are in constant motion, always changing and forming fascinating population migration patterns that cannot possibly go unnoticed.

As you can expect, the year 2019 did not only follow the moving trends set by the previous year – instead, it also left its historic mark with numerous unique stats and facts about the moving industry.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what 2019 had to offer in terms of moving facts and statistics – the 2019 moving industry trends in the USA that are set to continue in 2020 as well.

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Interstate vs Local Moves

Interstate moves: 54.5%
Local moves: 45.5%

In 2019, the percentage of total interstate moves dropped no less than 6% compared to the previous year. At the same time, local moves – household moves occurring within a 100-mile radius inside the boundaries of the state of origin – gained a serious momentum and climbed to a new high – 45.5%.

If the same moving trend continues to follow its internal logic, we may get to see an unprecedented equalization of both percentage values by the end of 2020. Of course, this relocation trend is strongly influenced and partially justified by the much cheaper average cost of in-state moves ($2,300) compared to interstate moves ($4,300). [What is the Average Moving Cost?]

Number of moves per size

• 1 Bedroom – 19737 – 30%
• 2 Bedroom – 16604 – 25%
• 3 Bedroom – 10337 – 16%
• 4+ Bedroom – 4440 – 7%
• Studio – 6470 – 10%
• Partial move – 9030 – 14%

The number of moves per home size in 2019 is similar to the statistical data from the previous year with a minor increase in 1-bedroom moves across the country, as well as a significant boost in 2-bedroom moves (nearly 4%). Interestingly enough, fewer people moved out of 3-bedroom homes in 2019 than they did in 2018 – 16% compared to 20%.

Partial moves and studio apartment moves remained almost unchanged in 2019, proving once more that things tend to change gradually within the U.S. moving and storage industry, without any uncharacteristic sudden spikes in the moving statistics. While Americans are moving constantly within the country, it usually takes several years for specific new moving industry trends to become apparent and take hold.

Number of moves per month

• May – 7699 – 11.4%
• June – 6766 – 10%
• April – 6736 – 10%
• March – 6617 – 9.8%
• July – 6556 – 9.7%
• August – 6359 -9.4%
• February – 5112 – 7.6%
• January – 5017 – 7.5%
• September – 4726 – 7%
• October – 4577 – 6.8%
• November – 3635 – 5.4%
• December – 3537 – 5.3%

While June was the busiest month in both 2017 and 2018 when it comes to the number of moves per month, 2019 saw the rise of May to the very top of the list with 11.4%.

But that’s not all. In one of the biggest surprises in the moving industry statistics for 2019, August has lost its second place and ended in 6th place. Who says things are not changing fast enough in the moving industry?

After a careful analysis of the moving stats in 2019, it can be seen that the peak moving period has shifted a bit more toward the spring. One of the possible explanations for that phenomenon may be that more and more people have realized that spring is, in fact, the best season to move house thanks to the cheaper rates, greater availability of experienced movers, and the mild (not hot) weather.

Number of moves per weekday

• Friday – 12618 – 19.8%
• Saturday – 11953 – 18.7%
• Monday – 10279 – 16.1%
• Thursday – 8452 – 13.2%
• Wednesday – 7941 – 12.4%
• Tuesday – 7236 – 11.3%
• Sunday – 5369 – 8.4%

In 2019, Friday remained the busiest day of the week with close to 20% of all household moves. When you think about it, that makes perfect sense – the majority of people want to move out on a Friday so that they can take advantage of the weekend as well. By taking Friday off, for example, home movers should be able to stretch out their house move over a 3-day period.

Not surprisingly, Saturday retained its position as the second busiest day of the week. Again, having the entire weekend to pull off a house move is not something that can be easily overlooked as it is a clear advantage time-wise.

 Will you be too surprised to learn that Sunday is once more the least popular day of the week for people to move out? Probably not. You must know from personal experience how hard it is to have a single day for completing a house move.

Busiest date

• June 1 – 2019 – 813
• May 31 – 2019 – 738

It always becomes very interesting when we come down to the busiest day of the year for the moving industry. In a way, it feels like watching an episode of Game of Thrones, don’t you think?

June 30th ruled over its kingdom for 2 consecutive years (2016 and 2017). However, in 2018 it was ousted prematurely and sent into exile by its younger brother June 1st.

In 2019, June the First managed to keep the throne for itself, aided by May 31 – the ruler’s right hand and second in command when it comes to the busiest moving date of the year.

Will 2020 see the return of the exiled June 30th to the throne of power? Only time will tell.

Top five moving routes

1. California to Texas – 658 moves
2. New York to Florida – 536 moves
3. New York to California – 428 moves
4. California to Washington – 374 moves
5. California to Arizona – 333 moves

California – Texas kept its immovable position as the busiest moving route in the country for 2019. The expanding job market in the state of Texas still attracts a constant flow of people who are looking for good career opportunities and a better life overall.

The hugely popular moving route New York – Florida has managed to retain its second position, followed by the classic cost-to-coast relocation trail from New York to California. California-Washington and California-Arizona complete the top 5 most popular moving routes in 2019. 

The top States For Local Moves

1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. New York

Without any big surprises or intense drama, California and Texas were the top states for local moves in 2019. Again. Being the largest states in the country (after Alaska) and having the strongest economies of all the states, the Golden State and the Lone Star State both have seen the greatest local moving action in the last 12 months.

This time, Florida has taken the third place from Georgia, while New York remains firmly on the 5th spot. Ultimately, it can be both interesting and useful to observe the transitional dynamics of local moving within a given state. 

Route prices based on reviews

• California – Hawaii: $7910
• Georgia – Idaho: $7336
• Kansas – Texas: $7145
• Illinois – Minnesota: $6417
• Massachusetts – New Jersey: $6370
• Colorado – North Carolina: $6307
• Indiana – Georgia: $6243
• California – South Carolina: $6219
• California – Utah: $6186
• California – Pennsylvania: $6161

As you might expect from any moving industry statistics, the move cost still remains one of the most powerful factors that affects and will continue to influence millions of home movers’ decisions.

Based on moving reviews received in 2019, the most expensive route was from California to Hawaii with a cost of $7,910 for a move distance of 2,471 miles between the two U.S. states. The Georgia – Idaho moving route comes second with an average cost of $7,336 based on customer reviews.

It’s important to note that the move distance is not the only price-formation factor that comes into play when the moving cost is being calculated. The number and types of household items being relocation from Point A to Point B matter a lot as they will determine the total weight of the shipment.

Also, the additional moving services that are selected for the completion of a household move will influence directly the cost of moving. 

Top States – net migration

(States gained more population than lost in terms of mobility)

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. California
4. New York
5. North Carolina
6. Georgia
7. Arizona
8. Washington
9. Illinois
10. Colorado

Top states outmigrants

(lost more population in terms of migration)

1. California
2. New York
3. Florida
4. Illinois
5. Texas
6. New Jersey
7. Pennsylvania
8. Virginia
9. Georgia
10. Massachusetts

The big winner for 2019 appears to be Florida – the state has gained more population than any other state in the country. Right after the Sunshine State – the top inbound migration state – comes Texas which was the 2018 winner of that prestigious moving statistic. The third place in terms of net migration is occupied by the state of California.

Despite being the state with the largest gross state product in the country and the largest sub-national economy in the world, California has lost the highest number of people of any other state due to the high level of net outbound migration. The state of New York comes second on the list of the top out-migration states, followed duly by Florida.

The moving trends and statistics for 2019 offer a fascinating glimpse into the Moving and Storage Industry.  The U.S. population migration patterns have created a fairly complex puzzle that you may or may not be able to solve without some extra help.

Either way, now it’s time for you to turn your sole attention to your upcoming house move and prepare for it in the best possible way. And when that move of yours is done and dusted, don’t forget to come back and tell us how it went.

Good luck with your move! 

See you in 2020.