Moving Facts: 30 Interesting Facts You May Not Know

Whether your family needs a bigger home or you’re a professional relocating for work, understanding the realities of moving can save you time, money, and headaches. Learn moving facts and trends that every homeowner and renter should know. With these interesting facts in mind, you can better plan your move and have Square Cow Movers do the heavy lifting.

30 Interesting Moving Facts and Statistics

Did you know the average person relocates nearly 12 times in their lifetime, with about 40 million Americans moving annually for housing, personal, or job-related reasons? Friday is the most popular moving day, with nearly half of the moves occurring between May and September. With hiring local movers being more cost-effective than a do-it-yourself move, it pays to be informed.

Make your move a stress-free experience. Square Cow Movers offers everything from storage units for your belongings to comprehensive moving services that take the burden off your shoulders. Whether you’re moving locally across town or taking advantage of government relocations in another state, our experienced moving team in Texas makes the process seamless from start to finish.

Fact Category	Interesting Fact
Demographics and frequency	The average American moves 11.7 times in a lifetime. Millennials (30-44) cross state lines the most, often relocating to suburban areas. Households under 65 are more than twice as likely to move (14% vs 6%) as those 65 or older. 61% of renters anticipate a relocation within the next three years.
Reasons and trends	42.2% for house-related reasons (e.g., bigger house, affordable housing). 27.4% for personal reasons. 20.2% for employment-related reasons. Almost 15% of Americans move within the same vicinity.
Logistics and timing	Friday is the most common moving day (except when it’s the 1st of the month). Half of all moves happen between May and September. Winter is the least expensive time for moving (due to lower demand). 45% of respondents in a 2020 survey reported moving was the single most stressful event they had experienced. Packing the kitchen is the most time-consuming part of moving, due to fragile items and bulky appliances.
Moving industry	The average move involves about 6,500 pounds of belongings. Roughly 60 boxes are used per move. Two-thirds of all moves are local (within the same state).

Moving Demographics and Frequency

Here are some interesting facts about mover profiles. Knowing things like the average number of moves in a lifetime and how relocation rates vary by age or job status allows movers to benchmark moving habits.

1. According to migration expectancy data, the average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime.
2. On average, about 40 million Americans move every year. However, an estimated 25.9 million Americans (7.8% of the population) moved in 2024, signifying record-low moving rates.
3. Millennials aged 30-44 cross state lines the most, with most of them relocating to suburban areas.
4. Gen Zs, aged 18-29, are increasingly seeking out emerging cities for their new homes that prioritize environmental sustainability.
5. Households headed by someone under 65 are more than twice as likely to move (14% vs 6%) as those led by a person 65 or older. 
6. Students who have recently graduated from college are among the most likely to move this year. (Sounds like we’ll stay busy helping students move in Austin, Denver, and Houston.)
7. A strong majority of renters (61%) have future moving plans, anticipating a relocation sometime in the next three years, mainly due to job changes and lease expirations. Most renters move to urban areas with a large rental market.
8. North American migration is largely controlled by the US, which is home to close to 59 million migrants, predominantly from Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

Moving Needs and Geographic Trends

Knowledge of the various reasons and core motivations behind a move helps individuals clarify their own priorities (cost, family, career) for relocating. Analyzing destination patterns and common migration routes can also inform where a mover might look for better opportunities or a more desirable lifestyle.

1. 42.2% of people make a move for house-related reasons, 27.4% of people move for personal reasons, and 20.2% move for employment-related reasons.
2. About 5% of movers returned to their state of birth, generally caused by the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2022.
3. In 2023, over seven million Americans moved to a new state, predominantly heading South. Among the top choices in the state is Texas, which sees more people continuing to move.
4. Newport Beach, Westminster, and Daly City in California are among the most expensive cities in America to move to and live. Spring Valley in New York and Lawrence in Massachusetts also have expensive costs of living.
5. New York, New Jersey, and Illinois see more people moving out due to higher living and mortgage costs.
6. Almost 15% of Americans move within the same neighborhood. These are often caused by housing upgrades and a preference for a different layout while staying in the vicinity.

Moving Logistics and Timing

Learning interesting facts about moving, such as how seasonal demand affects capacity, can significantly help in scheduling a move. This insight allows movers to plan far enough in advance to minimize cost and stress.

1. Friday is the busiest moving day of the week, unless it falls on the first of the month.
2. Half of the moves happen between May and September because the summer months bring favorable weather and won’t disrupt the school year.
3. The least expensive time to move is during the winter, because it’s the least popular time to move.
4. According to the 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, 66% of active-duty families incurred personal relocation costs. For 55% of those families, the unreimbursed expenses were over $1,000.
5. Packing the kitchen is typically the most time-consuming part of a move, especially when putting extra care into fragile items and bulky appliances.
6. The average American home contains over 300,000 items, so it’s best to declutter or downsize before packing for a move.
7. Spare keys, phone chargers, remote controllers, rarely worn shoes, borrowed items, and stuff in built-in storage are among the commonly left-behind objects when moving.
8. About 10% of households rent a storage unit, usually due to relocation or renovation.
9. In a 2020 survey of 1,000 people who had recently moved, 45% of respondents reported that moving was the single most stressful event they had ever experienced.

Moving Company Experience and Industry

Reviewing data on customer satisfaction and common industry practices helps movers choose reliable moving companies by setting realistic expectations for the level of services. This understanding of the moving industry empowers customers to vet providers and receive a transparent, quality moving experience.

1. Household moves typically include about 6,500 pounds’ worth of stuff.
2. 60 is the average number of boxes used for a move.
3. A cardboard moving box can typically be used 3-10 times before it’s no longer structurally sound. This is why you can even get free boxes (only used once) from different sources.
4. Professional movers are required by federal law to supply clients with the booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.
5. It’s against federal law for a moving company to withhold a person’s personal belongings.
6. Driven by high inflation and rising prices for gas, trucks, and labor, the cost of moving saw a significant 9% increase between 2021 and 2022.
7. Two-thirds of relocations are categorized as local jobs because they occur within the same state, making them simpler and less costly than long-distance moves. These intrastate moves typically benefit from reduced travel time and streamlined logistics.

Related Questions

Conclusion

Now that you know these moving fun facts, you can book our Texas movers as your reliable moving partners. From expert packing and secure storage solutions to relocation services, we’ll get you started with a personalized moving plan that fits your timeline and budget. Call us today for more moving tips or use the online form to get an instant moving quote!