Moving Statistics and Trends in Moving

Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a nationwide survey to reevaluate the population estimate and moving trends. During the pandemic, the census revealed major shifts in population size and geographic distribution. In 2023, many of the inbound moving trends continued to persist, while outbound data saw significant changes.

Even while the primary function of the U.S. Census is population-counting, the information it provides is also vital in many other areas. One example is the number of members each state has in Congress, which is determined partly by census data. It's also useful for public health, education, transportation and other government budgets.

Moving Statistics for the U.S. Population

Population movements from state to state have changed in recent years. Some highlights from the most recent American census are as follows:

• Move volume decreased in 2023 compared to previous years.
• In 2023, Illinois had the greatest percentage of individuals moving out of the state.
• The recent American census shows that population and moving trends have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
• Southern states continue to drive population growth.
• Population decrease data shows that California, Illinois, Louisiana and Hawaii have the slowest growth rates in the U.S.
• The national average gross rent is $1,372 per month.
• Owner-occupied homes have a median value of $281,900.
• As of 2023, American families may expect a median annual income of $57,406.
• More than 27% of Americans reside in the three most populous states: Texas, California and Florida.

Moving Trends

The moving statistics about moving are staggering.

• More than 30 million people will move at least once in the next 12 months. That’s an astounding 19% of the U.S. population!
• In that same period, there will be almost 15 million households that move into a new home or apartment.

Considering all these numbers and factors, it is apparent that moving is very common in America.

In addition to overall growth, the population of the United States has seen notable shifts in several regions during the last decade. Authorities always keep track of where people are relocating to and from, but the 2023 U.S. Census revealed a few noteworthy trends, some of which were only getting started at the time of the census:

• 25.6 million Americans moved in 2023, 9% fewer than in 2022.
• The top moving destinations in 2023 were primarily in the south, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.
• From 2020 to 2022, close to 2 million Americans have abandoned urban centers for the suburbs or the country.
• As of 2023, 27% of Americans work remotely. The rise of remote work has increased and caused Americans to move from high-cost areas to more affordable suburbs and cities. 
• The top three factors for moving in 2023: cost of living, proximity to family and work flexibility.

Why Are People Moving: The Top Concerns

While most would think the rise of remote work and affordability were the two primary factors for moves in 2023, the top concerns were actually:

• The desire for a lower cost of living
• Moving closer to family
• Increased work flexibility
• Looking for new job opportunities
• Better schools
• Better safety regarding the pandemic

Most Expensive Months to Move

According to moving industry statistics and trends, the most expensive months to move are driven by demand. Summer and spring months tend to see more moves, which can increase the overall cost. If you have flexibility, here are the three months to avoid:

Least Expensive Months to Move

If you are flexible with your upcoming move in 2024, consider planning your move during one of the least expensive months to relocate. According to moving industry statistics, here's the top three least expensive months:

Top 5 States Most People Are Leaving

Many have left various states over the last several years for multiple reasons, including politics, the property market and rising living expenses.

In the following table, we can see which states had the greatest departure rates in 2023. Results from our 2023 U.S. Migration Report include the following:

• Most individuals left the state of Illinois in 2023.
• Despite being the most populous state in the U.S., California saw 61% of the moves that occurred in the state be outbound.
• The top five states for departures (IL, CA, PA, MN and WA) are among the top 20 most densely populated states.
  

Top 5 Most Popular Destinations for New Residents

Growth in population is uneven throughout the states. In fact, according to the moving statistics, you may be astonished to find out where the majority of Americans are relocating to.

The 2023 U.S. Migration Report by North American Van Lines for 2023 uncovered some fascinating moving statistics concerning people's relocation destinations.

• In 2023, South Carolina topped the nation in inbound moves by 66%.

Most Expensive States to Move From

In 2023, a handful of states were significantly more expensive to move from. The reasons vary from high demand, inflation and lack of qualified movers in more rural areas. Here’s how the cost of moving trends vary:

Least Expensive States to Move From

There were also a handful of states significantly cheaper to move from in 2023. Here's how the moving trends vary:

Sources:

• https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration.html
• https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/population-trends-return-to-pre-pandemic-norms.html 
• https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html
• https://www.northamerican.com/migration-map
• https://eig.org/2022-county-population-trends/

Conclusion

Hopefully, these relocation and moving statistics have given you a better understanding of how Americans have migrated after the COVID-19 pandemic. We predict inflation, the rise of remote work and the need for affordability will continue to drive moving trends in the coming years.