Every year in the United States, tens of millions of people pack up their lives and make a move. Whether it’s a short relocation or long-haul adventure, we believe every move should be approached with care and consideration as if it were our own. And because moving is our business, keeping an eye on trends and fluctuations is our business, too.
As we settle into 2024, let’s look into some trends from the past year to help predict what we can expect over the next 12 months.
What kinds of moves are most popular?
While same-state moves are still on top (roughly 84% of moves were within the immediate area), cross-country and interstate moves are on the rise. Luckily, at Orange Truck, we’re no strangers to long-distance moves — we even go to and from Canada!
Where are people leaving?
A study from Architectural Digest found that the 5 metropolitan areas that people were most intent on leaving were:
- Washington, D.C. (72%)
- Los Angeles, CA (55%)
- San Francisco, CA (47%)
- New York, NY (46%)
- Philadelphia, PA (46%)
Clearly, people in many of the country’s large metropolitan centers are seeing a desire for a move. When it comes to #4, as much as we love New York, we understand it’s not for everyone. In fact, in 2022 the state experienced the second largest net domestic outmigration, losing around 300,000 people. If you’re part of the group thinking about making a move out of (or even back to) New York, you know who to call.
Where are they moving to?
We know where people are coming from, but where are they headed? Well, studies show that many people evidently have a sweet spot for the South. While city data varies, the overall growth trend on a state level is as follows:
- Texas
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Whether it’s the income tax allure for places like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee or just the fact people love warmer weather, the Sweet Tea Belt has gained tremendous momentum over the past few years.
Speaking of warm weather, did you know more than half of all U.S. moves take place over the summer?
Who is moving?
People of all ages move, but overall, Gen Z and Millennials move the most. Roughly 39% have relocated or plan to in 2024. With this trend, studies also show that Gen Z and Millennials are also potentially moving longer distances.
Top 5 reasons people are moving
For those who are packing up and on the go, why?
In the same Architectural Digest study, the top-5 reasons for moving in 2023 were:
- To have more affordable housing or lower cost of living
- To live in a safer area
- Moving for a new job
- To be closer to family and friends
- To live in an area more aligned with their beliefs
Why stay put?
Even when there is an appetite for a move, many people still don’t. Some reasons are:
- Moving is expensive
- Moving is stressful
- Unaffordable housing in the desired area
- Too far away from family
- Worries about making a big change
At Orange Truck, we get it. Moving has a lot of factors out of your control, and that makes it downright stressful. One thing, however, is certain — while there are many reasons to choose us, we are committed to doing everything in our power to make your move simple, seamless, and even enjoyable.
As 2024 continues to unfold and you’re deciding if, when, and where you want to make your move – let Orange help you. New York to New Jersey and even Canada, regardless of reason, destination, or type of move, we have the team, the wherewithal, and the care to do it right.
Because to us, it’s more than just boxes – it’s lives.
Sources
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/moving/moving-trends-survey
- https://blog.hireahelper.com/its-moving-season-a-study-of-how-where-and-why-are-americans-moving-in-2023/
- https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/where-people-moved-in-2022
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/2023-moving-statistics-trends/#:~:text=For%20the%20past%20five%20years,northern%20states%20to%20the%20south.
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/05/the-no-1-state-americans-moved-to-in-2023-its-not-florida.html
