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The Shocking Rise of Moving Scams and How to Outsmart Them

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The BBB estimated that the average moving scam victim lost $350 in 2023, while a staggering 5,918 complaints were made about bad actors posing as legitimate moving companies.

Meanwhile, a Yahoo Finance piece projected that moving scams would cost consumers over $1.5 million in 2024, a 42% jump from the previous year. As these numbers continue to climb, you should know how these scams work and why they’re so rampant.

Below, we break down the most common moving scam tactics, how to spot them, and a step-by-step plan for keeping your move safe. We’ve also included a few bonus homeowner scams to watch out for — because nobody wants to be blindsided by fraud when settling into a new place.

Common Types of Moving Scams

a man angrily talks on the phone while surrounded by moving boxes

It can be tempting to pick a mover offering a cheap moving quote without doing much research. Unfortunately, that’s exactly where many moving scams begin. Let’s take a look at the most widespread ones.

Fake Moving Companies (Bait-and-Switch Tactics)

Some scammers pose as legit businesses with polished websites and paid-for fake reviews. They offer strikingly low quotes compared to typical market rates. Once they pick up your stuff, they switch the rate to something much higher or tack on bogus charges, holding your belongings hostage until you pay.

Hostage Loads

With a hostage load scenario, the mover arrives and loads your items, then refuses to deliver them unless you cough up significantly more money. These hostage-style threats can turn an already stressful situation into a nightmare.

Overcharging and Hidden Fees

Even real moving companies can indulge in shady fee structures. They’ll hook you with a friendly phone quote but bill you afterward for extra labor, time, fuel costs, or equipment fees that were never disclosed. If you challenge it, they threaten to hold onto your belongings unless you settle the inflated bill.

Rogue Movers Disappearing With Belongings

Some moving scam criminals don’t even bother with a hostage approach — they just vanish with your property. Victims in these cases might end up filing police reports or insurance claims without any guarantee of recovering their items or getting their hard-earned money back.

How to Spot a Moving Scam

Staying alert to moving scam red flags can keep you from falling into a scammer’s trap. Here’s what to look out for:

  1. Lack of credentials: All interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. If a company refuses to provide this info — or they don’t appear in the FMCSA database search results — it’s a major red flag.
  2. Refusal to provide a written quote or perform inspections: Reputable residential movers typically need to see your items (in person, via video/photos, or inventory list) before quoting. If the mover refuses to give you a moving quote in writing, or insists on giving a blind quote, that’s suspicious.
  3. No booklet: By law, interstate movers must give you a copy of the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and the Ready to Move brochure. If a mover doesn’t provide these, they’re likely clueless or crooked. Either way, this isn’t someone you should trust with your stuff.
  4. Excessive deposit demands: Some movers ask for modest deposits, but if they want a large chunk upfront, beware. Unscrupulous movers may insist on high deposits, then disappear.
  5. Pushy sales tactics: If they pressure you to sign a contract immediately or won’t let you read the fine print, something isn’t right.
  6. Location matters: Some states, including Florida, are hotbeds for moving scams. In 2022, 3,338 out of 7,647 FMCSA moving scam complaints nationwide came from the Sunshine State. As of 2023, Florida still led with roughly 1,871 out of 3,907 complaints.

The FMCSA has put together an official moving checklist to help consumers stay confident throughout the process.

 

“Write down dates, times, names, and every conversation you had with the mover. Save all emails, text messages, contracts, estimates, and receipts, and take photos of any damaged or missing items. Documentation is essential when reporting the scam or pursuing legal action.”

 

Additionally, you can look up the mover’s name on Google, the FMCSA’s Consumer Complaint Database, and the BBB’s Scam Tracker to see if any complaints pop up. If you see patterns of overcharging or unprofessional behavior, move on quickly.

Steps to Avoid Moving Scams

Knowledge is your best packing partner. Consider this section your personal scam-proof-your-move toolkit:

  • Verify the moving company’s USDOT number if you’re moving interstate. For local moves, consult your state’s consumer protection offices.
  • Don’t rely solely on star ratings on one platform. Skim real-life feedback from the BBB and reputable consumer websites.
  • Choose a mover using a comparison tool that shows you prices, reviews, services, credentials, and availability for vetted moving companies.
  • The FMCSA suggests that getting at least three quotes reduces the risk of picking an outlier. If one quote is conspicuously low (say, 30% lower than average), question it.
  • Have the mover outline any extra fees for stairs, heavy items, or extended carry distances.
  • A binding estimate is supposed to lock in your price, while non-binding may fluctuate. Know which one you’re signing.
  • Make sure all fuel surcharges, labor add-ons, long-haul fees, and appliance service fees are spelled out in advance.
  • Document your jewelry, furniture, electronics, and fragile items. If necessary, take photos or videos for insurance claims. And if at all possible, move these important items with you instead of with the movers.

At HireAHelper, we believe local moving services should be transparent and cost-effective. Here’s how we help:

  • We compile price quotes from top-rated, vetted Service Providers so you can compare immediately.
  • Authentic feedback from real customers helps you pick a moving team you can trust and that meets your specific needs.
  • If a mover cancels or fails to show, we step in to help you find another option, alleviating last-minute stress.

But what if, despite your caution, you find yourself a victim of moving fraud?

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

a man sits with his head in his hands at the foot of the stairs in his home with moving boxes around him

If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to a moving scam, acting quickly can make all the difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

    1. Record everything: Write down dates, times, names, and every conversation you had with the mover. Save all emails, text messages, contracts, estimates, and receipts, and take photos of any damaged or missing items. Documentation is essential when reporting the scam or pursuing legal action.
    2. Local law enforcement: Report the incident to your local police department.
    3. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): File a complaint with the FMCSA online. Include your full documentation and a clear timeline of events. The FMCSA cares deeply about protecting consumers against moving scams. It developed the Protect Your Move initiative and doubled the number of investigators assigned to moving fraud.
    4. Better Business Bureau (BBB): Submit your complaint via the BBB’s Scam Tracker.
    5. State Attorney General’s office: Contact your state’s attorney general to report fraudulent moving practices and seek further assistance.
    6. Consult a Lawyer: Local legal associations can help you find affordable representation.
    7. Small claims court: If your losses are below your state’s small claims threshold, consider filing a claim.
    8. Credit card dispute: If you paid with a credit card, contact your card issuer immediately. Many banks offer fraud protection and may reverse charges for unauthorized transactions.
    9. Insurance claims: If you purchased moving insurance or the mover provided insurance, file a claim to cover lost or damaged items. Review the policy details carefully to ensure you follow the proper claim process.
    10. Consumer advocacy: Utilize the resources available at the consumer sentinel network.
    11. Online forums and groups: Join dedicated groups on Facebook or Reddit where victims share their experiences and advice.
    12. Local consumer protection offices: Many cities have non-profit consumer advocacy groups that provide free advice and support.

Other Common Homeowner Scams to Watch For

Moving isn’t the only time homeowners face fraud. Take a look at these other scams that can pop up when you’re buying, renting, or maintaining your home:

Home Repair Fraud

  • Red flag: Contractors knocking on doors unannounced, claiming your roof or driveway needs urgent repairs.
  • Tip: Verify licensing and references. Don’t pay in full until the work is done and inspected.

Fake Landlord or Rental Scams

  • Red flag: A landlord asking you to wire money before you see the unit or sign a lease.
  • Tip: Always view the property, meet the landlord, and confirm ownership before handing over funds.

Insurance Fraud Schemes

  • Red flag: Suspiciously low quotes from brokers with no clear documentation of what’s covered.
  • Tip: Contact reputable insurance companies or use official marketplaces. If necessary, ask for credentials and an NAIC ID.

A Scam-Free Move is a Happy Move

A safe move starts with awareness. By following the tips and tactics outlined here, you’ll turn a daunting task into a smooth ride — no scams, no regrets.

If you’ve encountered a moving scam, sharing your story can help others stay vigilant. Post it on neighborhood forums, get on social media, talk to friends, and encourage family members to do thorough research before hiring a mover.

Ready for a stress-free move? At HireAHelper, we connect you with trusted professionals who prioritize honesty, professionalism, reliability, and transparent pricing. Compare real quotes in minutes and see for yourself how easy moving can be when you’re in control.

My Practical Guide to Moving In With a Partner (Romantically and Financially)

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As relationship milestones start to take shape, it’s time to discuss one of the biggest steps of all: moving in with a romantic partner.

If you’re considering moving in together, my assumption is that you’re already bringing all the love, excitement, and ooey-gooey feelings to the situation — which means that it’s my job to bring the practicality, organization, and the cold hard sense. (Spoiler alert: in my experience, all that good stuff comes flowing back in once you’ve set up a solid foundation.)

Here’s a list of some of the un-fun, straight-up, business-like details that have made living with a partner so much better for me.

Deciding on living arrangements

If one of you lives in a two-bedroom alone while the other lives in a lofty attic garret, this is probably a no-brainer. But in my experience, few situations are that simple.

My initial thought was that I wanted to start somewhere new with my boyfriend; I wanted to live somewhere neither of us had a history. Realistically, this was going to create more issues than it solved. For one, my boyfriend had just moved into his roomy one-bedroom a year before, at which point he’d paid a hefty broker’s fee. (This is a cute thing that used to be legal in New York City and was the bane of our collective existence.)

When weighing your options for living arrangements, consider not just the physical space but also how it fits into your lives together. For instance, think about the neighborhood vibe—is it a place where you can envision hosting friends for game nights or where your neighbors might call the cops on you for too much laughter? Also, consider the commute to work or other daily activities; nobody wants to spend an hour in traffic when they could be enjoying breakfast instead. Ultimately, finding a balance between comfort and practicality can make all the difference in your shared living experience.

Tips for choosing the right living arrangement

  • Evaluate your needs: Before making any decisions, discuss what you both need in a living space. Do you need an office for remote work or a guest room for visitors?
  • Budget wisely: Set a budget that includes rent and additional costs like utilities and groceries. Remember, living together shouldn’t mean living in debt.
  • Visit multiple places: Don’t settle for the first place you see. Tour several options to get a feel for what works best for both of you.
  • Consider commute times: Factor in how far each potential place is from work and other important locations. A short commute can save you both time and sanity.
  • Think about future needs: Will this space accommodate any future changes? If you plan on growing your family (or your collection of houseplants), ensure there’s room to grow.
  • Discuss shared responsibilities: Talk about how chores will be divided before moving in together. No one wants to be stuck doing all the dishes while their partner binge-watches another series.
  • Trust your gut: If something feels off about a place or situation, don’t ignore that feeling. Your instincts are often right.

Negotiating living arrangements is like trying to find the perfect avocado—sometimes it’s ripe and ready, and other times it’s just not meant to be. So take your time, communicate openly with each other, and enjoy the process of finding your new home together.

Financial considerations

When it comes to living together, finances can be the elephant in the room—one that’s sitting on your wallet and munching on your budget. Before you dive headfirst into a new living arrangement, it’s vital to have an open and honest discussion about your financial situation. For example, my boyfriend and I sat down one evening with a bottle of wine (because adulting is hard), and we laid everything out on the table. We talked about our incomes, debts, and how much we could realistically afford for rent without sacrificing our daily lattes or weekend takeout orders.

Tips for navigating financial considerations

  • Create a joint budget: Sit down together and outline all your income sources and expenses. This will help you see where you stand financially as a couple.
  • Discuss debts openly: Be transparent about any student loans, credit card debt, or other financial obligations. Knowing each other’s financial baggage can prevent surprises later.
  • Emergency fund: Set aside some savings for unexpected expenses like repairs or medical bills. Think of it as your financial safety net—because life loves throwing curveballs.
  • Consider rent-to-income ratios: Aim to keep your combined rent under 30% of your total income. It’s a good rule of thumb that helps maintain financial stability.
  • Review your credit scores: Knowing each other’s credit scores can help when applying for rental agreements. Plus, it’s a great excuse to bond over those cringe-worthy teenage credit mistakes.

Pre-move planning

Ah, pre-move planning—the stage where excitement meets chaos like a toddler in a candy store. Before you start packing boxes and dreaming of how you’ll arrange your furniture, take a moment to strategize. My boyfriend and I made the rookie mistake of waiting until the last minute to plan our move, which resulted in us frantically shoving clothes into suitcases while trying to remember where we put the cat (spoiler alert: she was hiding under the bed).

Tips for effective pre-move planning

  • Create a moving timeline: Break down tasks into manageable steps with deadlines. This will help keep you organized and reduce last-minute panic.
  • Declutter together: Go through your belongings as a team. Donate or sell items you no longer need. Trust me, you don’t want to move that old treadmill that doubles as a coat rack.
  • Label boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will save you from playing “Where’s Waldo?” with your kitchen utensils.
  • Schedule utility transfers: Remember to set up or transfer utilities like electricity, water, and internet before moving day. Nothing says “welcome home” like sitting in the dark.
  • Plan for pets: If you have pets, make sure they’re included in the moving plan. Create a cozy spot for them to relax while you handle the chaos—after all, they deserve a break, too.

Rent splitting strategies

Now that you’ve tackled finances and pre-move planning, it’s time to address how you’ll split rent without turning into a bickering couple from a sitcom. My boyfriend and I initially decided to split rent 50/50 because it seemed fair—until we realized I had more shoes than he had socks (and trust me, that’s saying something). So we had to come up with a strategy that worked for both of us.

Tips for fair rent splitting

  • Proportional split based on income: If one person earns significantly more than the other, consider splitting rent based on income percentages rather than equally.
  • Include shared expenses: Don’t forget to account for shared expenses like utilities, groceries, and household supplies when calculating how much each person should contribute.
  • Revisit regularly: Set a schedule (like every six months) to revisit your rent-splitting agreement. Life changes quickly—someone might get a raise or decide they need more closet space.
  • Use apps for tracking expenses: Consider using apps like Splitwise or Venmo to easily keep track of shared expenses. That way, you can skip the math headaches and focus on more important things, like deciding who gets the last slice of pizza. 

valentines cat

Managing expectations

When you’re moving in together, it’s important to manage your expectations—because, let’s be honest, the reality of living together can sometimes feel like a reality show gone wrong. My boyfriend and I had high hopes of seamlessly blending our lives together, but we quickly learned that living with someone means discovering quirks and habits that might drive you up the wall. For instance, I had to come to terms with his love for leaving dirty socks in the living room while he had to adjust to my obsession with organizing everything by color.

Tips for managing expectations

  • Communicate openly: Before moving in, have candid conversations about what you both expect from each other in terms of chores, personal space, and shared responsibilities.
  • Set boundaries: Establish personal boundaries to ensure both partners feel comfortable. Maybe one of you needs quiet time after work—don’t be afraid to voice that.
  • Be realistic about change: Understand that some habits may take time to change. Be patient with each other as you adjust to living together.
  • Make room for compromise: You won’t always agree on everything (like the thermostat setting), so be prepared to find middle ground.
  • Check-in regularly: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss how things are going. It’s a great way to address any issues before they snowball.

Moving day organization

The day when excitement meets chaos. To avoid turning your big move into a high-stakes treasure hunt, organization is key. On our moving day, my boyfriend and I thought we could just wing it. Joke was on us as we ended up with boxes everywhere and a cat who was thoroughly unimpressed with our life choices.

Tips for moving day organization

  • Create a moving day checklist: Outline tasks for the day, including who’s responsible for what. This will help keep everyone on track and reduce confusion.
  • Pack an essentials box: Set aside a box with all your essentials—think toiletries, snacks, and chargers. You’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have to dig through ten boxes for your toothbrush.
  • Enlist help: Don’t be shy about asking friends or family for help. Bribing them with pizza and drinks can turn moving day into a fun gathering rather than a chore.
  • Label boxes clearly: Use large labels on each box indicating its contents and which room it belongs in. This will save you from playing “guess what’s in this box” later.
  • Take breaks: Moving is exhausting! Schedule short breaks throughout the day to recharge and avoid burnout.

Settling in together

Once the dust has settled (and you’ve finally located your favorite mug), it’s time to settle into your new life together. This stage is all about creating a cozy home that reflects both of your personalities. My boyfriend and I spent our first week rearranging furniture and debating over wall art—who knew choosing between abstract art or vintage posters could spark such passionate discussions?

  • Personalize your space: Combine your styles by incorporating items that represent both of you. Hang photos from trips or display souvenirs that tell your story as a couple.
  • Establish routines: Create daily or weekly routines that work for both of you—whether it’s cooking dinner together or having movie nights on Fridays.
  • Explore your neighborhood: Take time to discover local spots like coffee shops, parks, or restaurants together. It’s a fun way to bond and make new memories.
  • Designate shared spaces: Decide which areas are communal (like the living room) and which are private (like your respective office spaces). This helps maintain personal space.
  • Be patient: Adjusting takes time! Don’t rush the process; enjoy getting to know each other in this new setting.

Building memories after moving in

Now that you’re all settled in, it’s time to focus on building memories together. My boyfriend and I made it a point to have regular date nights at home, trying out new recipes or binge-watching shows we’d never seen before. We even started a tradition of Sunday brunches where we’d whip up something delicious while sipping mimosas—because who says you can’t have fun while being responsible adults?

  • Start new traditions: Create fun rituals that are unique to your relationship, whether it’s Taco Tuesdays or monthly game nights.
  • Document your journey: Take photos of special moments—like your first dinner in the new place or silly selfies while cooking. It’ll be fun to look back on these memories later.
  • Plan weekend getaways: Explore nearby towns or attractions together. A little adventure can inject excitement into your routine.
  • Volunteer together: Find local charities or community events where you can volunteer as a couple. It’s rewarding and strengthens your bond.
  • Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge anniversaries or achievements with small celebrations—whether it’s ordering takeout from your favorite restaurant or having a mini dance party at home.

Navigating Conflict Together

Let’s face it: no matter how perfect your relationship may seem, conflicts are as inevitable as running out of coffee on a Monday morning. Learning how to navigate disagreements is necessary for maintaining harmony in your new living situation. My boyfriend and I quickly discovered that our differing opinions on everything from the thermostat setting to how often we should do laundry could lead to some heated discussions. But instead of letting these moments drive a wedge between us, we learned to approach conflict with humor and understanding.

  • Stay calm: When disagreements arise, take a deep breath and approach the situation with a level head. Yelling rarely leads to resolution—unless you’re yelling about pizza toppings.
  • Use “I” statements: Frame your concerns using “I” statements (e.g., “I feel overwhelmed when the dishes pile up”) instead of “you” statements (e.g., “You never do the dishes”). This helps prevent defensiveness.
  • Listen actively: Make an effort to really listen to your partner’s perspective without interrupting. This shows respect and helps you better understand their feelings.
  • Pick your battles: Not every disagreement is worth fighting over. Decide what’s truly important and let the little things slide—like whether the toilet paper roll goes over or under.
  • Find solutions together: Work collaboratively to find solutions that satisfy both partners. Compromise is key—maybe you can agree on a laundry schedule that works for both of you.

Bonus: Tips for newlyweds

If you relate, congratulations on tying the knot! Now that you’re officially newlyweds, here are some extra tips to help you on this exciting chapter together:

  • Keep the romance alive: Don’t let the routine dull your spark. Surprise each other with little gestures—a handwritten note or planning a spontaneous date night can go a long way.
  • Share household responsibilities: Divide chores based on preferences and strengths rather than traditional roles. If one of you loves cooking while the other prefers cleaning, go with it.
  • Invest in quality time: Make an effort to spend quality time together regularly—whether it’s going out for dinner or simply enjoying quiet evenings at home.
  • Don’t forget about yourself: While building a life together is important, remember to prioritize self-care and individual interests too. A healthy relationship thrives when both partners feel fulfilled.

Moving in together is an exciting adventure filled with ups and downs and plenty of laughs along the way. By managing expectations, staying organized on moving day, settling in thoughtfully, building memories together, and keeping those romantic sparks alive, you’ll create a beautiful life side by side—one adventure at a time!

Illustrations by Molly Magnell

2024 Study: Moving Costs Set To Reach a Five-Year High

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Key Findings

  • The nationwide average cost of moving is projected to be the highest on record, based on HireAHelper data ($420)
  • Overall cost of moving is up 2% over last year, based on HireAHelper data for the first five months of 2024
  • Rhode Island (+18%) and Louisiana (+18%) are seeing the highest spikes in average price of local moves
  • Missouri (-98%), Illinois (-7%), and Florida (-3%) had the greatest moving cost DECREASES so far in 2024
  • The cost of moving in San Diego, CA has charted 26% higher than last year so far in 2024

moving costs hireahelper spotIn last year’s Moving Cost Survey, we found that more than half (52%) of our respondents had no plans to move in 2024, stating they couldn’t afford it. Unfortunately, the economy has likely done little to help change their minds over the last year.

During the first five months of 2024, the average move has cost about 2% more than during the same 5-month span in 2023. That’s especially notable because we haven’t even hit the peak moving summer months in 2024! 

In this year’s study, we examine all the trends impacting the cost of moving, check where moving is spiking the most and where it may be getting cheaper, and see what those who plan on moving can expect to pay this year.

On Track for New Highs: Moving Costs To Average Above $400 in 2024

According to our data of tens of thousands of booked moves nationwide, the average price of a move has stayed above $400 in the first five months of 2024, which is the highest total since we began tracking it over five years ago. (Granted, as inflation is intrinsic to the modern-day U.S. economy, prices for most things will gradually rise over time.)

 

“Of the 40 states for which we have sufficient data, 30 saw an increase in the average price for a local move.”

 

Looking back at the previous high, the average cost of moving hasn’t gotten this high since 2022, back when costs reached a then historic high (as did inflation, overall). That said, 2022 was marked by an incredibly steep 10% increase in the average price of moving between April and May of that year (arguably related to postponed pandemic moves). In comparison, this year saw an increase during the same period of only 2% greater than the year before it, which is more or less in line with inflation.

How high will it go?

Having already reached $411 in May, our projections are that average prices will peak at $438 by August.

That would be off the 2022 high of $454, but still 4% higher than last year’s peak of $420.

Our overall 2024 projections (which do account for expected seasonality rises) suggest that the average cost of moving will remain above $400 throughout all points of 2024.

All in all, 2024 will end with an overall average cost of moving at $420. Again, this would make 2024 the most expensive year for moving since we began keeping records in 2018. We will break down what you can do to lower those costs — but first, let’s break down where prices are rising and falling the most.

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Where Moving Costs Have Surged (Rhode Island and Louisiana) and Fallen (Florida and Illinois)

Where is the cost of moving increasing?

The unfortunate answer is, almost everywhere. Of the 40 states for which we have sufficient data, 30 saw an increase in the average price for a local move. In fact, in nine states that cost increase has been in the double digits, year-over-year.

 

“…as the demand for moving services increased, the price tended to follow, which may explain why moving in (big) cities will be more expensive this year.”

 

The states where the cost of moving has jumped the most are Rhode Island (+18%), and Louisiana (+15%), where the year-over-year increase has been 15% or higher.

It’s worth noting that a big contributor to this has been gas prices (as gas prices heavily inform the price at which movers full-service movers will quote); and gas prices have been spiking in both Louisiana and Rhode Island. Another explanation could simply be the growing demand for moving services, as all three states show an increase in moving activity in the first five months of 2024, compared to the same period last year.

In more encouraging news, the average price of a move has gone down in some key states that see a lot of moving activity throughout the year.

The states where moving costs have decreased the most on average are Florida (-3%), North Carolina (-4%), and, most notably, Illinois, where moving is 7% cheaper on average than it was last year.

Moving Costs by City in 2024: How Demand and Competition Affect Moving Costs in U.S. Cities

At the city level, the change in moving costs is spread somewhat more evenly, as roughly the same number of cities saw costs both rise and fall, year-over-year.

San Diego, CA (+30%) is the city where the average price of a local move in the first five months of 2024 has grown most significantly, compared to the same period in 2023.

In fact, Colorado Springs, CO is the only other city that has seen the cost of moving increase by 20% or more year-over-year in 2024. Two cities in Ohio, Cleveland, OH (+16%) and Columbus, OH (+13%), also made the list of the top 10 cities with the most significant spikes in moving costs.

City Year-over-year change in moving costs City Year-over-year change in moving costs
San Diego, CA +26% Los Angeles, CA -23%
Colorado Springs, CO +22% Seattle, WA -19%
Savannah, GA +16% St. Louis, MO -19%
Cleveland, OH +16% Cary, NC -13%
Columbus, OH +13% Chicago, IL -13%
Virginia Beach, VA +13% Orlando, FL -13%
Summerville, SC +12% Arlington, VA -12%
Oklahoma City, OK +12% Ocala, FL -12%
Tucson, AZ +11% St. Augustine, FL -11%
Knoxville, TN +10% Alexandria, VA -10%

One thing the cities with rising costs have in common is that a higher number of moves occurred in most of them in 2024, compared to 2023. In other words, as the demand for moving services increased, the price tended to follow, which may explain why moving in these cities will be more expensive this year.

The Cities Moving Prices Have Fallen in 2024

Elsewhere, moving appears to be getting less expensive in big cities, as the prices have dropped significantly in Los Angeles, CA (-24%), Seattle, WA (-23%), St. Louis, MO (-20%), and Chicago, IL (-15%).

This doesn’t always mean fewer people are moving in and out of these cities, but, rather, another market force is at play – competition! In most big cities where the cost of moving decreased the most this year, the number of companies offering moving services increased year-over-year.

To see how the moving costs have changed in 2024 in all the cities, check our interactive map below.

When Moving Gets Expensive: Our Top Tips for Saving Money on Your Move

For all those planning to move this year, the prospect of paying more for their move is hardly good news. Many find moving stressful as it is (though it doesn’t have to be) and the last thing they want to worry about is how much more they’ll have to pay for it.

Not to worry, because we’ve got you covered with our tried and tested advice on how to save money on your move. 

Here are our top 10 tips:

  1. Declutter and get rid of stuff you no longer need or use
  2. Use your belongings as packing materials to save space and reduce the need for additional supplies.
  3. Avoid buying packing and moving supplies (collect free boxes, use your own blankets as packing materials)
  4. Avoid peak moving season (May through September). 
  5. Schedule your move on weekdays, but avoid rush hour to prevent additional costs from traffic delays.
  6. Consider hiring loading and unloading help while doing the driving yourself — a hybrid move.
  7. Consider portable moving containers (they’re a good middle ground between DIY and full-service moves).
  8. Ask rental truck stores if they’ll give a discount for dropping a truck off at a different nearby location!
  9. Even if you hire full-service movers, pre-pack as much as possible into your own car (if you have one).
  10. To get a list of all your best moving options sorted by value, check HireAHelper.com.

You can read more about practical and creative ways to save money on your move, even if you’re moving in the summer, aka peak moving season.

Sources and Methodology
All charts and tables are based on the analysis of 300,000 local moves in the U.S. booked through HireAHelper.com and our partners, from January 2018 through May 2024.
States and cities with fewer than 100 moves in the last 12 months were excluded from the state-by-state and city-by-city analysis, respectively. However, calculations of the cost of moving by month of the year or day of the week do include data from all states and cities.
Based on moves booked on HireAHelper, a labor-only local move cost an average of $411 in May 2024, which is 3% higher than in May last year.
Illustrations by Michael Driver

How Much Does It Cost To Move to California in 2023?

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California has a lot to offer its residents: beautiful beaches, famous attractions, and yearlong sunshine. It’s no wonder people pay a premium to live there (overall, California has the fourth-highest cost of living, behind Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts).

But how much does moving and living in California cost? Below are average moving costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates*.

California Moving Costs in 2023

an illustration of people wandering along a path that winds through huge redwood treesIf you’re moving cross-country from the East Coast to California, you can expect to spend between $2,182 and $10,329 on your move, according to a recent PODS article. The main factors affecting this cost are distance, the moving service you choose, and the size of your move. A shorter move, such as one between Phoenix and L.A., would cost between $328 and $5,300, while the cost of a move from NYC to San Francisco could cost over $10,000. 

  • Avg. Timeframe for a California Move – 3.4 Hours
  • Avg. Distance of a California Move – 35 Miles

The average time spent on a move that features an origin, destination, or both within California is just shy of three and a half hours, while the average distance traveled is 35 miles.

How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?

The average cost of California moving labor services is $16 more expensive than the national average. Across all move types and services, it costs an average of $396 to move locally anywhere within the country.

 

“Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.”

 

The national average timeframe for moving is three hours (24 minutes shorter than the average California move), and items are transported an average of 74 miles (39 miles farther than the average California move). The specific moving service you use will make a difference, though.

The Current State of Moving to California in 2023

Between April 2020 and July 2022, California lost over 700,000 more residents than it gained, according to the Los Angeles Times. While the pandemic likely played a part in this exodus, the truth is that California residents have been leaving the Golden State for other, more affordable locales since 2000. California has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, and the highest sales tax rate. In San Francisco, for instance, the average home value is above $1.27 million. A family of four would need $112,903 in household income just to get by.

an illustration of a boardwalk next to a Pacific Ocean beach. Colorful homes line the street. With COVID-19 causing many to shift to remote work, employees who were once tied to a desk suddenly had the freedom to find somewhere more affordable to put down roots. 

Still, California has a very large population (over 39 million) and, despite having a net loss of hundreds of thousands of residents between 2020 and 2022, it still managed to rank as the third most moved-in state by volume last year with +3.6% move-ins.

While the cost of living and high taxes may be a turn-off for some, living in California comes with a gorgeous climate, breathtaking scenery, myriad job opportunities, and endless culture and entertainment. People are still moving to the Golden State and, with all of these perks, “California dreaming” isn’t likely going anywhere.

More 2023 California Moving Stats

Given the multiple moving options available to you, each has many pros and cons, including the price. The average California moving service costs in 2023 were as follows:

Transportation Type Avg. Labor Cost Avg. Transportation Cost Total Cost
Container $461 $2,762 $3,223
Truck $478 $345 $823
Freight Trailer $574 $1,500* $2,074**
**Expressed as a national average, as state-specific data is not available.

Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in California by Job Type

Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which part of your move you hire the labor for makes a difference. Let’s compare the average costs of different labor-only moving services in California to the national averages.

Type of Labor-Only Moving Service U.S. Average CA Average
Moving with on-site help only $345 $353
Moving with unloading help only $395 $387
Moving with loading help only $400 $398
Moving with both loading and unloading help (booked together) $490 $608

Top 5 Least Expensive Cities for Moves Within California (Labor-Only)

City
(Origin or Destination)		 Average Move Cost
(Labor-Only)
Huntington Beach, CA $290
Carlsbad, CA $303
Long Beach, CA $325
San Francisco, CA $336
Corona, CA $341

Top 5 Most Expensive Cities for Moves Within California (Labor-Only)

City
(Origin or Destination)		 Average Move Cost
(Labor-Only)
Woodland Hills, CA $689
Camarillo, CA $655
Tracy, CA $595
Redwood City, CA $595
El Dorado Hills, CA $579
California moves in the above graphs are calculated using booked moves where the origin city, destination city, or both reside within California and are at least 50 miles apart.

Which Cities in California Are Growing and Shrinking?

A view of a vineyard that continues into the hills in the distance.
Livermore, CA

Californian City With the Greatest Population Increase*** – Santa Cruz, CA (+12.5%)

This mellow beach town is located in Northern California along Highway One. Among other things, it’s known for its surf culture, whale watching, and close proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Californian City With the Greatest Population Loss*** – Livermore, CA (-2%)

Located in the San Francisco Bay area and dating back to 1869, Livermore is the state’s oldest wine region. In addition to its thriving wine industry, the city also enjoys a rich arts and culture scene.

***Based on population increase or decrease between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Most Affordable California Cities (Based on Cost of Living)

Here’s a closer look at six of the most affordable cities in California (according to Niche) and how their average household incomes and home values compare to the state averages.

City Average Home Value Median Household 

Income

 Home Value to Household Income(Ratio)
Visalia, CA $361,827 $69,252 100:19
Bakersfield, CA $370,490 $69,014 100:19
Fresno, CA $359,344 $57,211 100:16
Victorville, CA $403,428 $61,206 100:15
Stockton, CA $419,631 $63,916 100:15
San Bernardino, CA $448,953 $55,372 100:12
California $728,121 $84,097 100:12
Sources: Average home values are based on Zillow data and median household incomes are based on U.S. Census data (expressed in 2021 dollars) available as of June 2022.

Cost of Moving Within California (NorCal Versus SoCal)

A beach in San Diego
San Diego, CA

Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.

That said, Southern California is home to the most expensive city for moving in the entire country: Riverside. On average, state moves originating in Riverside totaled $538.

Least Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Oceanside, CA $383 SoCal
Long Beach, CA $395 SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA $402 SoCal
Roseville, CA $414 NorCal
San Diego, CA $415 SoCal
Sacramento, CA $423 NorCal
San Francisco, CA $432 NorCal

Most Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Riverside, CA $538 SoCal
Oakland, CA $487 NorCal
Santa Monica, CA $487 SoCal
Carlsbad, CA $477 SoCal
San Jose, CA $457 NorCal
Los Angeles, CA $454 SoCal
Irvine, CA $437 SoCal

What Are California’s 2023 Tax Rates?

The costs of moving to California aren’t just about hiring movers, buying packing supplies, or renting self-storage. If you’re moving from out of state, there’s a good chance the sales tax rates in California will be higher (possibly much higher) than you’re used to, affecting the final cost of moving-related expenses. Not to mention California’s high income taxes, which will almost certainly take a toll on your disposable income.

Below is a breakdown of California tax rates.

Sales taxes in California include:

  • California sales tax rate: 7.25% (highest in the U.S.)
  • Average local sales tax rate: 1.57%
  • California gasoline tax rate: 63¢
  • California cigarette tax rate: $2.87 (per 20-pack)

California income tax rates are as follows:

California Income Tax Brackets Based on Filing Status
Single or Married Filing Separately Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er) Head of Household Tax Rate
$0 – $10,099 $0 – $20,198 $0 – $20,212 1%
$10,100 – $23,942 $20,199 – $47,884 $20,213 – $47,887 2%
$23,943 – $37,788 $47,885 – $75,576 $47,888 – $61,730 4%
$37,789 – $52,455 $75,577 – $104,910 $61,731 – $76,397 6%
$52,456 – $66,295 $104,911 – $132,590 $76,398 – $90,240 8%
$66,296 – $338,639 $132,591 – $677,278 $90,241 – $460,547 9.3%
$338,640 – $406,364 $677,279 – $812,728 $460,548 – $552,658 10.3%
$406,365 – $677,275 $812,729 – $1,354,550 $552,659 – $921,095 11.3%
$677,276+ $1,354,551+ $921,096+ 12.3%
Source: H&R Block

If you’re considering moving to California, be sure to look at your new city’s cost of living compared to your salary. Keep in mind that even if you’re moving for a job, it may not be necessary to live in one of the big, expensive cities listed above. There are plenty of affordable California suburbs — which aren’t necessarily in the middle of nowhere — including Morada, Desert Edge, and Golden Hills.

And, when you’re ready to book movers in California, use Hire A Helper’s moving calculator to understand what your own unique moving costs might be.

*Unless otherwise indicated, the previous statistics are based on thousands of moves carried out by the halfway point of 2021. These data points are calculations of average and median costs of “labor-only” and/or “Mover + Truck” moving services booked through HireAHelper.com, as well as “Long Distance Move” moving services from MovingPlace.com, and may also include additional related moving data from industry partners and affiliates collected between 2020 and 2021.
Illustrations by Naomi Ann Clarke

2023 Study: Where, How and Why Are Americans Moving This Year?

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Key Findings

  • More than half (52%) of all moves in America take place in the summer
  • Our survey findings suggest 40% plan on moving at some point this year
  • ‘Family’ (30%) and ‘Wanting More Space’ (25%) are the top reasons for moving this year
  • A total of 38% are moving for financial reasons, such as inflation, cost of living, and housing unaffordability
  • Climate change is a factor mentioned by 15% of Americans planning to move this year
  • 40% of those moving intend to stay within their city, but 18% are set on moving to a different state
  • More than half (55%) of those not moving this year would move if they had the means

 

Every year, millions of Americans move, and over half (52%) of those moves take place during what we in the moving business call “moving season” — otherwise known as the summer months of May through August.

So what does the moving season hold for us this year? To get a sense of how many Americans intend to move, when they’re going to move, and what drives their moving decisions, HireAHelper conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults in the U.S. earlier this month.

 

“The state most people have their sights on is California, where 11% would move if finances weren’t an issue.”

 

38% of Americans we surveyed intend to move at some point in 2023, collectively citing “Family“, “Looking for More Space” and “Wanting To Save Money” as the top reasons. A further 35% would move if they could, but find themselves struggling to afford housing where they want to live, or are struggling to afford the move itself.

Let’s delve into the findings and see how Americans look ahead to the 2023 moving season.

Moves in the Making: Four in Ten Americans Plan To Move in 2023

an illustration of someone taping a box. In the corner it's labeled fragileAs we noted earlier, nearly four in ten (40%) of our survey respondents said they are planning to move at some point this year. 

Moving intent is highest among the younger generation, as almost half (49%) of Gen Z respondents reported a planned move for sometime in 2023. And while this intent is still strong with Millennials (42%), it gradually fades with age, and dropping to a reported 27% for Baby Boomers.

Interestingly enough, Parents (41%) are more likely to be planning a move in 2023 than Non-Parents (36%). That said, that only applied to families with one or two kids. For families with three or more children, the percentage of those staying put exceeds the percentage of prospective movers.

Renters (46%) are more likely to be on the move than Homeowners (30%). However, only 25% of renters who are moving expect to own their next home, as 59% of renters reported moving to another rental.

Where are people leaving?

an illustration of white plates and cups being wrapped in brown packing paper. A currently empty cardboard box sits nearbyAmong people living in America’s biggest metropolitan areas, the intent to move is highest in Washington, D.C. (72%) and Los Angeles, CA (55%). There, the majority of residents we surveyed reported having plans to move at some point this year.

In San Francisco, CA (47%), New York, NY (46%), Philadelphia, PA (46%), and Houston, TX (45%), the share of people who reported intent to move this year fell just below half.

Conversely, within the metros of Charlotte, NC (16%), Orlando, FL (32%), and Chicago, IL (32%), the moving intent is the lowest among all metros with a sufficient number of respondents.

At the state level, New Jersey residents seem most keen to move (56%), whereas those in North Carolina (24%) are least likely to relocate in 2023.

Family, Square Footage and Finances: Top Reasons Why Americans Are Moving in 2023

The number one reason for those intending to move this year was reasons related to “Family” (30%), (such as “Being Closer to Family Members,”) with “Wanting More Space or a Bigger Home” (~25%) being the second most popular choice.

 

“Those who do plan on hiring some help for their move are looking to spend an average of $675…[and those] who expect to move without hired help are looking to keep it at an average of $312.”

 

However, if we look at the financial reasons, we’ll find that many Americans are moving either because of  “Foreclosure/Eviction” (7.5%), “Can’t Afford (Their) Current Housing” (10.7%), “(Moving Somewhere With) A Lower Cost of Living” (15.3%), or “Inflation” (17.2%).

If we add up all the respondents that said at least one of these financial reasons applies to them, the total share of Americans who intended to move due to financial pressures rose to 38%.

an illustration of a canvas wrapped in bubble wrap. it's stood on top of other packed boxes. Granted, the higher rates of inflation from 2022 seem to have leveled out, but our findings suggest that financial pressures continue to compel a significant number of Americans to relocate.

The financial reasons above were mentioned at the following rates by these demographics:

  • Families with children (40%) compared to childless households (37%)
  • People of color (44%) compared to white Americans (36%)
  • Renters (41%) compared to homeowners (35%)

Other popular reasons for moving in 2023 include “New Job” (16.2%), which, in fact, is more popular than moving due to “(Becoming) Unemployed” (9.8%).

Curiously, and unfortunately, more people are moving due to an “End of a Relationship/Divorce” (10.3%) compared to those moving due to a “New Relationship or Got Married” (7.1%).

an illustration of boxes being moved with a dollyOne significant reason that’s beginning to factor into the moving plans of Americans is “Climate Change” (14.9%), which is in fact distinct from “Want Nicer Weather” (10.4%).

According to estimates based on U.S. Census Bureau data, climate change affects some 20,000 moves per year, with experts suggesting that figure is set to increase.

Getting Practical: Planned Moving Distance and Estimated Cost

Based on our survey responses, 40% of people who are planning to move in 2023 are staying within the same city, while 33% intend to leave their current city, yet still stay within the same state.

Impressively, 18% of respondents intend to move to a different state. Specifically among those respondents, their reasons given were for “Better Weather” (38%), a “New Job” (34%), “Being Closer to Family” (21%), and “Seeking a Lower Cost of Living” (21%).

Thinking about the cost of their move, 44% intend to spend between $100 and $500 on moving, with an overall average being slightly higher at $530. This estimate includes buying moving boxes, potentially renting a truck, maybe hiring movers, etc.

Needless to say, not all Americans who plan on moving intend to hire movers, but 52% of them do, while 48% either intend to execute the move themselves or haven’t decided yet.

Those who do plan on hiring some help for their move are looking to spend an average of $675 between boxes, truck rentals, and movers. Those who expect to move without hired help are looking to keep it at an average of $312. (This figure is in line with nationwide averages of moving costs.)

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Would If I Could: Common Barriers Preventing Americans from Moving

Quite a few Americans are planning to move this year, and the number could have been even higher if it weren’t for certain factors keeping people from moving.

Of those respondents that aren’t moving this year or aren’t sure yet, 55% would move if they had the means and opportunity. The main reason they can’t move? They can’t afford it. People claimed they “Can’t Afford To Move” (58%) or they “Can’t Afford Housing Where (They) Want To Live” (38%).

But it’s not just the financial worries that keep Americans from moving. About a quarter of respondents in our survey who’d move if they could selected “Would Be Too Far Away From (Their) Family” (24%), “Worried About Making a Big Change” (25%) or “Worried It May Not Work Out” (27%), respectively.

Perhaps these concerns, as well as the general decline in the percentage of Americans moving partially explains why, our study found that, on average, Americans now move an average of eight times in their lifetime, down from a 2007 estimate of 11.7 times.

Dream Destinations: Where Would Americans Move if Anything Was Possible

One question we asked in our survey was about the state Americans would move to if money was no object. 

The state most people have their sights on is California, where 11% would move if finances weren’t an issue. Notably, Hawaii and Florida were the dream destinations for 9% of Americans, while New York and Colorado were the top choices for an additional 5% of respondents. 

Texas — a state that’s recently been a popular destination for corporate moves — would also be the go-to place to be for 4% of respondents.

A surprising 4% would leave the United States altogether if they could, but as many as 9% of our respondents would not choose to leave their state, even if money was no object.

Sources and Methodology
All data, unless otherwise stated, have been derived from the findings of the survey HireAHelper ran via Pollfish in May 2023. The survey used a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults (18+) living in the United States.
Survey results were weighted by age, gender, and income using data extracted from the American Community Survey’s five-year data, collected from ~120,000 households.
Illustrations by Nero Hamaoui

Study: How Much Does Moving Cost in 2023?

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Key Findings

  • Based on our projections, the cost of moving in 2023 will be 2% lower than in 2022
  • Moving costs are 4% higher so far in 2023 than in the same period last year
  • The average cost of a move is projected to peak at $421 by August 2023, 7% lower than last year’s high of $454
  • Moving costs are spiking highest in New Mexico (+39%), Kentucky (+30%), and Minnesota (+25%) in the first five months of the year
  • Maine (-15%), Rhode Island (-14%), and Oklahoma (-10%) are the states with the lowest cost of moving compared to this time last year
  • Cypress, TX (+39%) and Louisville, KY (+39%) are the cities where the cost of moving is spiking in 2023, compared to last year

 

When we looked into the cost of moving last year, prices were buoyed by record-high inflation, as well as the rising costs of fuel, cars and trucks; unsurprisingly, moving costs soared to an all-time high. 

Overall, with a peak of $454 in August, the average cost of moving in 2022 was $410 — 7% higher than the year before.

Has it gotten better? Well, based on our figures for the first five months of 2023, the average cost of a move in the United States at the half way point is currently $399, some 4% higher than in the same period last year!

But will the cost of moving in 2023 remain as high all year long, or will costs fall back to Earth? Which states are seeing the most dramatic jumps in moving costs compared to last year? And are there any places where moving is actually getting cheaper?

Still Up on Last Year: How the Cost of Moving Changed Over Time

Based on the moves booked via HireAHelper and our partners in the first five months of the year, moving costs an average of $399, just 2% higher than the $391 we recorded at the same time in 2022.

“…with the projected annual average of $402, the average cost of a move would still be significantly higher than it was before last year, especially before the pandemic.”

 

That being said, last year we saw the cost soar from $389 in April to $427 in May, a jump which didn’t happen this year; average costs largely lingered around the $400 mark.

While this is good news relative to last year, it’s worth remembering that before and during the pandemic, moving used to cost significantly less, and only started to edge into the $400 or greater territory around late 2021.

More Affordable in Maine, Costlier in Kentucky: Cost of Moving Change by State

As the cost of moving continues to climb upwards at the start of the year, here are the states where movers are most likely to be feeling the pinch.

an illustration of a microscope looking at a miniature home, moving boxes, and a price tagBased on HireAHelper figures for the first five months of 2023, New Mexico (+39%) and Kentucky (+30%), are the states where not only moving costs over 30% more than last year, but also where the average price of moving now exceeds $500.

Similar spikes in the cost of moving are seen in the three Midwestern states, the highest being Minnesota, where the cost of moving went is 25% higher so far this year. 

In Missouri and Wisconsin, the year-over-year increase in moving costs is 17% so far in 2023. Incidentally, Wisconsin is the state with the highest average price of a move this year – $515.

Other states where moving costs are significantly higher this year are Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. In these states, according to our data, people are paying around 9% more for their move in 2023 than they would at this time last year.

But it’s not all bad news! While the majority of states are seeing the cost of moving go up, there are 13 where it’s gotten cheaper than it was last year.

Maine, the state where the cost of moving spiked 51% last year, currently has the biggest annual decrease in the average move price of -15%. The state with the second-biggest dip in the cost of moving is Oklahoma, where it’s 10% cheaper to move so far this year than it was in 2022.

 

“…the biggest year-over-year drop in the average cost of a move in Oklahoma City, OK, where the cost of moving is 24% lower so far in 2023.”

 

Idaho (-9%), Connecticut (-6%), and Utah (-5%) are other states with fairly sizeable reductions in the average cost of a move. States that registered smaller decreases include Tennessee (-4%), Virginia (-2%), and California (-2%). 

One possible explanation for prices dropping in these states is cheaper fuel. Based on LendingTree’s recent analysis of fuel price changes, states such as Maine, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia saw some of the biggest drops in gas prices so far in 2023.

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Up in Louisville, Down in Oklahoma City: Cost of Moving by City

While our data suggests that nationally the cost of moving is up only 4%, some cities are seeing spikes that far exceed that figure.

In as many as 10 cities, the average amount people pay for their move in 2023 is at least 25% higher than it was at the same time last year. This cost of moving spike is most significant in Louisville, KY (+39%) and Cypress, TX (+39%).

In fact, Louisville, KY is the city where the average cost of a move is the highest overall so far in 2023 and is at $531.

Further down the list, Greensboro, NC,  Irvine, CA, and Saint Louis, MO registered an annual increase in moving costs of about 33%. 

At the city level, the place with by far the biggest year-over-year drop in the average cost of a move was in Oklahoma City, OK, where the cost of moving has been 24% lower so far in 2023.

Fairfax, VA, Chandler, AZ, and San Diego follow closely, featuring an overall 19% reduction in how much people paid for their moves in the first five months of this year.

Two Texan cities where moving is already among the cheapest in the country, Spring, TX and Katy, TX, registered, respectively, 17% and 15% year-over-year decreases in the cost of moving in 2023.

Check our interactive map showing the change in the cost of moving across states and cities in 2023:

Silver Linings: Moving Should Get (Slightly) Cheaper in 2023

Based on our figures, the cost of moving is projected to drop this year. So far in 2023, the average cost of a standard labor-only move is $399, which is a little higher than in the first five months of last year ($391). 

 

“…last year we saw the cost soar from $389 in April to $427 in May, which didn’t happen this year, as the costs largely lingered around the $400 mark.”

 

However, because we have not seen the cost of moving spike from April to May as we did last year, we can project that it’s unlikely to be as high as it was in 2022. This prediction isn’t just based on our data alone.

So far, this year is the first year since 2017 when new and used vehicles are seeing an annual price decrease. Inflation in fuel prices, as well as inflation in the U.S. economy overall is on a downward trajectory, all contributing to the small drop in projected moving prices.

Based on this year’s projections, the price will, again, peak in August when it’s likely to reach an average of $421. But that would be a far cry from last year’s $454 at the height of the moving season.

Similarly, if last year’s cost of moving didn’t dip below $400, this year we project that it will fall to $395 by the end of the year.

All this said, with the projected annual average of $402, the average cost of a move would still be significantly higher than it was before last year, especially before the pandemic.

This is all the more reason to make sure not to overspend on your move. Check out our most recent tips on how to cut moving costs or how to save money if you’re planning on renting a truck for your move. For those of you moving this summer, have a look at our guide to saving money when moving during the peak moving season.

Sources and Methodology
All charts and tables are based on the analysis of 263,000 local moves in the U.S. booked through HireAHelper.com and our partners from January 2018 through May 2023.
States and cities with less than 100 moves in the last 12 months were excluded from the state-by-state and city-by-city analysis, respectively. However, calculations of the cost of moving by month of the year or day of the week do include data from all states and cities.
Illustrations by Shideh Ghandeharizadeh

How To Pack and Protect Your Books During a Move

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You’ve spent years building up your home library, adding one book at a time until it’s filled with volumes you’ve read and then read again and — let’s be real here — others that are on your ever-growing to-be-read list (hello, tsundoku!).

If you’re moving, you’ll want your books to come with you. But how do you get them to your new home without damaging them (or your back) in the process?

Packing your books for a move may feel like a daunting task. But if you break it down and go step-by-step, it’ll go more smoothly than you think.

How To Prep Your Books Before You Pack

a couple looks over the books they're packing

Have movers? Lighten your load to save money

Let’s start with the most difficult task: as painful as it may be, it’s time to get into Marie Kondo mode and separate your library into the books you can’t live without, and the ones that’ll spark joy in a new reader’s hands.

Pruning your collection will not only reduce the load you move, but it’ll also reduce your moving costs — fewer boxes to move means lower fees, since your movers can work faster.

If you’re unsure of what to do with the books you’re leaving behind, I suggest donating them or selling them!

Donation

  • Little Free Library is a non-profit organization with volunteer-led book exchange boxes around the world.
  • Goodwill is a non-profit organization that provides educational, career-related, and community-based assistance to those who need it.
  • Better World Books is an online bookseller that sells used and new books, and donates one book to match each sale.

Selling

  • Half Price Books is a bookstore chain with more than 120 stores across the US.
  • Powell’s Books is an independent bookseller in Oregon that sells books nationally through its website (and to select international destinations).
  • Ziffit is an app that readers can use to sell books to them for cash.

Sort and label your books by shelf

a man writes on a clipboard while packing books

Once you’ve got your ‘to keep’ list sorted, it’s time to label your books. Think of this step as a gift to future you; being meticulously organized will make unpacking your books in your new home a whole lot easier.

Make a rough sketch of your bookshelves or storage units and number each shelf. On a Post-it note, write the number assigned to the shelf that a book came from. Stick the note to the inside front cover (or first page) to keep it secure — you don’t want it getting nudged and falling off.

Keep that sketch safe so you’ll know exactly where each book goes when you unpack.

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Hardcore collector? Make an inventory 

Catalog your books to keep track of which ones made the cut. You can use your phone’s notes app to make a simple list of your library and log the title of each book and its author. Alphabetize it (either by title or author) to make it easier to cross-reference the list with the books.

To be extra sure nothing’s missing when you unpack, use the app’s checklist function instead of making a simple list. This way, you can check each book off the list when you take it out of the box and put it on the shelves.

How To Pack Your Books

a woman checks a cardboard box in preparation for packing. There is packing paper inside.

Gather essential book moving gear

Keep your basic packing supplies at hand to make the process faster. 

  • Boxes (more on this below)
  • Packing tape
  • Marker 
  • Acid-free packing paper (for leather-bound, rarer, or delicate books)
  • Tissue paper
  • Silica gel to keep the books free from moisture

Gather dry boxes and wheels

You know when you’re holding a book in your hand, feeling its heft, excited about the world inside it? Now multiply that by dozens or hundreds of books, and you’ll quickly realize it’s less exciting when it comes to moving your books.

 

“Don’t use newspapers [to pack books], as the ink can smudge onto the covers or fore-edges and damage the[m].”

 

Pack as many books as possible in something that has wheels, such as a suitcase. For the rest, find smaller cardboard or plastic bins that won’t be too heavy to lift once you add the weight of the books to them.

Make sure any cardboard boxes you use are dry so that moisture doesn’t seep into your books and ruin them.

How to strengthen cardboard boxes

If you’re using cardboard boxes, strengthen the bottom with packing tape so that it doesn’t buckle under the weight of the books. You can tape the box in an H shape so that all openings are tightly sealed. Don’t forget to use double tape for added strength!

Try to find a table on which you can put the boxes while you’re filling them to avoid bending repeatedly. It’ll also be easier to pick up a full box from the table than the floor when it’s time to move it. Your back will thank you!

Always pack your books flat

Sort your books by size and group books with similar heights and widths together. You want to lay them flat in the boxes, building up stacks side-by-side. Don’t fill the boxes with the spines facing either up or down. 

Place the heavier books at the bottom of the box and go lighter as you go up the stack. Try to distribute the weight evenly among the boxes to avoid ending up with some boxes that are much heavier than others.

Fill in the damage-causing gaps in your boxes

a moving box with packing paper in the gaps to protect its contents

While it may seem like no big deal to have some space in the box, any gaps between the books will give the covers wiggle room to move and potentially damage the pages. Stuff these gaps with packing paper to reduce the space between books and protect them from getting damaged.

Note: Don’t use newspapers as the ink can smudge onto the covers or fore-edges and damage the books.

If you’re expecting rain or moving to or from somewhere humid, add some silica gel packets to the boxes (or suitcases) to keep your books dry.

Label the boxes

Once you’ve packed, protected, and sealed the boxes, label them — a simple ‘books’ is good enough. This will save the movers time as they’ll know, at a glance, that the box is heavy and needs to be placed at the bottom of the truck.

To save yourself time while unpacking, label the box with the room the books will live in at your new home.

How To Move Your Books

two movers pack boxes into a truck

Consider transporting them yourself

I get it — books are precious, and you might feel uneasy entrusting someone else with their care. If you have the option, you could move the boxes yourself instead of loading them into the moving truck to give yourself peace of mind.

If you have too many books to transport yourself, pack the ones you’re most attached to in one box (or two) and bring those with you while the rest go with the movers.

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Hire movers

If you do have movers, just make sure to let them know you may have some particularly heavy boxes, or if there are any boxes you consider especially special to you!

Think about how they’ll be stored during the move 

Your books may spend many days in the moving truck, and they need some TLC to come out of the boxes in good condition. Environments that are 70 degrees or lower and have humidity levels of 40 to 50% are the optimal storage conditions — both while moving and in your home or a storage unit. Be sure to let the moving company know what you need at the time of booking a moving truck.

 

“Pruning your collection will not only reduce the load you move, it’ll also reduce your moving costs — fewer boxes to move means lower fees, since your movers can work faster.”

 

Direct sunlight and dust can both damage books as well. Make sure you’ve sealed the boxes properly to prevent dust from sneaking in through any small openings. Avoid using boxes that have handle holes for carrying — you’re sending an open invitation to dust and sunlight to enter.

Load them on the moving truck correctly

Books are among the heavier items you’ll be moving, so load the boxes first into the moving truck and place them in the middle. 

Also, keep them as close to the floor of the truck as possible — preferably on the floor, and not stacked above other boxes. This way, the boxes won’t tip over during transport and damage other boxes (or the books themselves) while on the move.

Knowing that you’ve taken care to protect and pack your books means you’ll have one less thing to worry about during the moving process. When you’ve unpacked, curl up on the couch with a good book in your new home — you’ve earned it!

2022 Study: This Is the Most Expensive Year in History To Move

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Category: Money Saving, Moving Advice

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Key Findings:

  • So far in 2022, moving costs are 9% higher than in the same period in 2021
  • In May 2022, the average cost of a move was $427 — 15% higher than in May 2021
  • Moving was at its absolute cheapest during the height of the pandemic (2020; $320 on average) 
  • The average cost of a move is set to reach a high of $454 by August 2022, coinciding with peak demand for moving services
  • Moving in 2022 is more expensive in 39 out of the 45 states in which data is available, with Maine seeing a 51% YoY spike
  • The rise in the cost of moving affects 90 out of 108 cities, most notably Columbia, SC (+42%) and Seattle, WA (+39%)

 

In May 2022, inflation in the United States reached a 40-year high of 8.6%. That’s the highest it’s been since the recession of 1981, when the economy struggled to shake off the impact of the oil crisis of the late ’70s.

At HireAHelper, we don’t have the data going back decades, but the data we do have shows that the year-on-year increase in the cost of moving is also off the charts. In May 2022, an average move cost $427 — 15% more than a year ago.

And it’s not just a one-off. In the first five months of 2022, moving costs reached an average of $394, which is 9% higher than they were in the same period last year.

In part, that’s down to the rising prices of goods and services that are essential for the moving industry:

You get the picture. On the backdrop of high inflation, the ever-rising gas prices, and increases in costs of trucks and labor, moving costs are also rising to unprecedented levels.

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Up Since the Pandemic: How the Cost of Moving Changed Over Time

From 2018 to early 2021, the change in the cost of moving was relatively flat; rates would go up only 4% one month, then down 3% the next month.

Then, the global pandemic happened. This forced many to put their moving plans on hold, resulting in the cost of moving services declining for four months straight (February-May 2020). In May that year, the cost of a move on average was $320 — 10% cheaper than the year before and the cheapest it’s been in the last five years.

 

“Assuming 2022 will look like non-pandemic years in terms of when and how many people move…the average cost of a move will reach a record-high of $454 per move by August.”

 

As the pandemic eased and vaccinations picked up in 2021, moving activity resumed its typical levels and prices bounced back. During this period, moving costs were up by an average of 15% year-over-year. By August 2021, the cost of moving crossed the $400-mark, averaging $407 per move.

 

cost of moving over time 2022
(Click here for interactive version)

 

Since then, the cost of moving ebbed and flowed before reaching an astounding $427 in May of 2022. Way ahead of the inflation rate, the cost of moving is 15% higher than it was this time last year, and 10% higher than just a month ago.

In fact, since January 2021, the cost of moving has only gone up year-on-year. In other words, there hasn’t been a single month in that period where the cost of moving wasn’t higher than it had been 12 months prior. 

 

cost of move inflation 2022
(Click here for interactive version)

All Over The Place: Where Cost of Moving Soared Highest

Now that we know moving is becoming more expensive nationally, let’s have a look at how the cost of moving has changed in different parts of the country. 

Which states are seeing the greatest jumps in moving prices? In which cities are the moving costs spiking? Are there any states and cities that buck the overall trend?

Based on our figures, those moving in Maine are experiencing the biggest year-over-year spike in cost. The average so far this year is $525, which is some 51% higher than the $350 cost of an average move in the first five months of 2021.

Overall, so far there are five states where moving in 2022 costs a whopping 25% higher or more than during the same period last year. Besides Maine, these states are Nebraska (+30%), Utah (+28%), Alabama (+27%), Idaho (+27%), and Delaware (+26%).

 

(Click here for interactive version)

There were also five states where the cost of moving remained the same or decreased compared to May 2021. It should be pointed out that the percent decrease was quite marginal in all cases, and only reached a maximum of -6% in New Mexico and -5% in Minnesota.

 

“On the highest end, Columbia, SC (+42%) and Seattle, WA (+39%) saw an increase in moving costs of around 40% during the first five months of 2022, as compared to 2021.”

 

Cities followed a similar pattern to states. In 90 out of 108 cities for which there are representative data, we saw a significant increase in how much moving costs in May 2022 compared to in May 2021.

For the majority of cities, the price spike was between 10% and 25%. On the highest end, Columbia, SC (+42%) and Seattle, WA (+39%) saw an increase in moving costs of around 40% during the first five months of 2022, as compared to 2021. 

 

city by city cost
(Click here for interactive version)

 

Top among those few cities where moving costs didn’t spike are Rochester, NY (-25%), Knoxville, TN (-22%) and Milwaukee, WI (-15%). Curiously, the cost of moving in New York City stayed the same in 2022 as it was the year before.

High Season: Summer Signals Even Higher Moving Costs

As if it wasn’t high enough already, the cost of moving is likely to rise even more this summer. Partially, this is due to inflation, but to a greater extent, this is also due to the laws of supply and demand.

Peak moving season, i.e., the time of the year when Americans are most likely to move, is routinely observed from June through August. Roughly 40% of all moves that happen during any given year take place during the summer months, meaning that’s when the demand for moving services is the highest.

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

 

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This demand is reflected in the increased cost of moving during the summer. Based on our data going back to 2018, moving costs tend to peak in August. (The only exception was 2020 when, for reasons noted above, moving season shifted to autumn and the cost of moving was highest in October.)

What does this mean for 2022? Most likely, despite the already higher costs, moving is likely to get even more expensive as we get into the summer and the height of the moving season.

 

forecasting move cost 2022
(Click here for interactive version)

 

Assuming 2022 will look like non-pandemic years in terms of when and how many people move, our forecast suggests that the average cost of a move will reach a record-high of $454 per move by August.

This would make 2022 the most expensive summer for moving in the U.S. by far. Even though the average cost is likely to return to the $400-mark by year’s end, 2022 is projected to be the most expensive year for moving on record.

 

year on year move cost
(Click here for interactive version)

 

There’s not much we can do about inflation and rising gas prices, but you can still fight back against rising prices!

First, have a look at our guide to help figure out how much money you should spend on a move. Looking to rent a U-Haul? Check our tips on how to save on your truck rental. 

And if you are planning to move this summer, be sure to read our advice on how to save money on moving during peak moving season.

Sources and Methodology
All charts and tables are based on the analysis of 233,000 local moves in the U.S. booked through HireAHelper.com and our partners from January 2018 through May 2022.
States and cities with less than 100 moves in the last 12 months were excluded from the state-by-state and city-by-city analysis, respectively. However, calculations of the cost of moving by month of the year or day of the week do include data from all states and cities.
Illustrations by Elizabeth Gu

Every Major Moving Report of 2017 Analyzed: Where Is Everybody Going?

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Migration reports are out in full force, including the famous United Van Lines yearly report.

But while United handles more moves annually than any other mover network in the country, their numbers are not definitive across the industry board.

North American, Atlas and Allied all see slightly – and in some cases, wildly – different results in their migration study results. Not a surprise, because as a Full Service move provider, United handles a somewhat different clientele compared to companies like ABF, U-Haul and PODS – companies whose numbers might look a lot different. Then there’s that little thing called the Census.

Yep, the state-to-state migration numbers for 2017 are out – and folks, we have new inbound state champions! Here are the results:

United Van Lines

Vermont Takes United 2017 Inbound Crown

In 2015 they came in at third on the inbound rankings. In 2016 they inched their way up to number two. Now, this tiny state known mainly for skiing and maple syrup has captured the coveted top inbound spot on United’s 2017 National Movers Study.

Yes, the champagne is indeed flowing like syrup in Stowe, Killington and Montpelier as Vermont looks back on a year that saw a whopping 68% of their interstate moves coming in. 

Reasons

According to United’s survey, “family” was the most common reason respondents gave for relocating to the Green Mountain State. Retirement, lifestyle and job also figured fairly evenly into the equation.

On the other hand, a full 75% of people moving out of state gave employment as their reason. This helps explain why half of all outbounders fell into the Under-35 age category – and another 25% were between 35 and 45 – while 40% of those moving into the state were 65 or older.

Those mountains may be green, but with those unemployment numbers, it looks like the valleys are starting to turn gray.

But before we start replacing all those ski lifts with wheelchair-friendly escalators, let’s take a step back and look a little closer at where the stats behind Vermont’s inbound crown come from. Keep in mind we don’t know how many moves Vermont actually saw by their report. (68% can be broken down to 17 inbound moves and 8 outbound moves – which hardly amounts to a mass migration to this land of wooden bridges and Bernie Sanders.)

Inbound:

1. Vermont
2. Oregon
3. Idaho
4. Nevada
5. South Dakota
6. Washington
7. South Carolina
8. North Carolina
9. Colorado
10. Alabama

This past year saw some familiar names on United’s Top Ten Inbound States list. Oregon, Nevada and North Carolina are all there, as they have been every year since 2011. Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, South Carolina and Arizona are also back after making 2016’s inbound list. Newcomers include Alabama and Colorado. Meanwhile, Florida has dropped off the inbound list after a strong three-year run.

This past year’s top inbound states are also fairly spread out around the country. The same cannot be said about United’s outbound states.

Outbound:

1. Illinois
2. New Jersey
3. New York
4. Connecticut
5. Kansas
6. Massachusetts
7. Ohio
8. Kentucky
9. Utah
10. Wisconsin

As with the previous few years, the major exodus seems to be coming out of the Northeast and the Midwest, with Utah adding a little “outbound yellow” to the otherwise blue western region on United’s interactive migration map.

Perennial outbound states New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois have been the most unfortunate ones; we’d have to go back to 2010 to see any of them as balanced. (New York and Connecticut were both spared the shame that year).

North American Moving Services

northamerican.com

Arizona Takes North Americans 2017 Inbound Crown

North American’s inbound champ is Arizona, with 67% of their interstate moves coming into the Grand Canyon State. Other top inbounders not on United’s list include Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Texas – all south and southeast states. (Those North American drivers must really love the south.)

Inbound:

  1. Arizona
  2. Idaho
  3. North Carolina
  4. South Carolina
  5. Tennessee

Outbound:

  1. Illinois
  2. Connecticut
  3. New Jersey
  4. California
  5. Michigan

Like United, North American has Illinois, New Jersey and Connecticut at the top of their outbound list (with New York a notable #8). But the rest of their top outbounders – California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Maryland (#4-8 on the map) aren’t even on United’s radar.

Interestingly, North American’s #10 outbounder is Washington, which ranks #6 on United’s inbound list.

In accounting for these discrepancies, it is worth noting what North American says of their report’s methodology:

“We define the top inbound and outbound states as those that have the highest proportion of moves where the absolute value difference of inbound and outbound moves is greater than or equal to 400. This weeds out states that had a small number of moves but would have a high ratio of inbound/outbound moves.”

This may explain why United’s 2017 champ Vermont and #5 South Dakota (United’s #1 in 2016 by the way) aren’t anywhere on North American’s Top Ten.

Atlas Van Lines

atlasvanlines.com

Washington Takes Atlas 2017 Inbound Crown

Atlas Van Lines offers some relative surprises too. Idaho, Washington and Nevada as their top three inbounders may not raise any eyebrows. But Alaska, Maine and New Hampshire at #5, #6 and #10? Oregon is a familiar name, but seeing them at #8 seems in contrast to their recent United Van Lines inbound championships.

Atlas’s top outbounder, meanwhile, is Illinois (same as both United and North American – those Fighting Illini have a real stranglehold on that top spot!). And their #2, West Virginia, was a strong outbounder for United for six years straight before balancing out in 2017.

But Nebraska at #3? Nebraska has been balanced for United since 2001! And #4 outbounder South Dakota has been an inbound darling for United the past three years.

Rounding out the Atlas top outbound list are Hawaii, Indiana, Delaware and Louisiana, all of them somewhat surprising since three of them have spent the last ten years on United’s “balanced” register. Only Indiana has managed to make a blip on United’s outbound radar in that time frame.

Inbound:

  1. Idaho
  2. Washington
  3. Nevada
  4. Tennessee
  5. Alaska
  6. Maine
  7. North Carolina
  8. Oregon
  9. Alabama
  10. New Hampshire

Outbound:

  1. Illinois
  2. West Virginia
  3. Nebraska
  4. South Dakota
  5. Hawaii
  6. Indiana
  7. Delaware
  8. New York
  9. Louisiana
  10. Kansas

In contrast to the percentages United and North American provide, Atlas gives actual numbers of inbound and outbound moves for each state. Here we see that Vermont has seen just a fraction of the moves so many other states see, so it’s easy to imagine why they wouldn’t have made it onto North American’s list. (Meanwhile, once again, Canada’s Yukon Territory has seen zero moves. We’ll blame it on the roads.)

Allied Van Lines

allied.com

Florida Takes Allied 2017 Inbound Crown

Allied Van Lines keeps it all very short and sweet. They report only their top fives:

Inbound:

  1. Florida
  2. Arizona
  3. North Carolina
  4. South Carolina
  5. Texas

Outbound:

  1. California
  2. Illinois
  3. Pennsylvania
  4. New Jersey
  5. Michigan

Based on this limited report, we’re able to come to at least one solid conclusion: Allied’s drivers love moving people south even more than North American’s do.

U-Haul

Texas Takes U-Haul 2017 Inbound Crown

Because news outlets predominately focus on Full Service van lines, it can easily be argued this eliminates an entire sector of the migrating public. (In fact, Full Service van lines actually conduct less than half of all moves performed in the US every year.)

Do U-Haul’s numbers reflect what the van lines suggest are moving trends?

Nope.

Inbound:

  1. Texas
  2. Florida
  3. Arkansas
  4. South Carolina
  5. Tennessee
  6. Washington
  7. North Carolina
  8. Connecticut
  9. Colorado
  10. Vermont

Outbound:

  1. California
  2. Illinois
  3. Pennsylvania
  4. Michigan
  5. Massachusetts
  6. New Jersey
  7. New York
  8. Arizona
  9. Maryland
  10. Georgia

Texas tops U-Haul’s 2017 Growth States list. This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, as Texas has fared well recently in the inbound-outbound game. In 2017 their inbound percentages with United, North American and Atlas were 54, 53 and 53, while Allied put Texas down as their fifth biggest inbound state.

Oddly, Texas won U-Haul’s Growth State crown by bringing in – get this – a whopping 50.3% of all one-way truck rental traffic crossing Texas’s borders. That’s right. Fifty. Point. Three.

This hardly lends a whole lot more understanding to the migration trends we’re trying to dissect. But here we are, so let’s keep moving.

U-Haul rounds out its top five Growth States with Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee. Yes, Arkansas – which has been balanced on United’s report 37 of the last 40 years. Then again, Arkansas remained balanced in 2017 on United’s ledger with a 54% outbound rate, so that they are U-Haul’s #3 Growth State is rather surprising no matter how minuscule their positive U-Haul balance might have been.

And who comes in at #8 on U-Haul’s list? That big loser with United and North American (but not with Atlas), Connecticut.

On the flip side, U-Haul has Colorado at #9 – exactly where United and North American have them.

United States Census Bureau

Idaho Takes United States Census Bureau 2017 Inbound Crown

Yes, the Bureau has all the moving numbers we could possibly want. So many, in fact, that it could take until next January to weed through them all.

But thanks to Business Insider we don’t have to.

In this piece with the strangely long title: While the Bureau considers “a variety of components” in determining what’s happening among the more than 325 million people who make up the US population, Business Insider brings us what we need: domestic migration.

Here we see the net population gain or loss for each state for 2017. Births, deaths and international immigration are not counted; this is simply and strictly an account of how many people moved into or out of each state. (Again, not moves, but individual people.)

Inbound:

  1. Idaho
  2. Nevada
  3. South Carolina
  4. Oregon
  5. Arizona
  6. Washington
  7. Montana
  8. Florida
  9. Colorado
  10. North Carolina

And in this, the winner is Idaho, with a net domestic migration gain of 14.6 people per 1,000 residents. In second place comes Nevada, with South Carolina, Oregon and Arizona rounding out the top five. The second half of the big ten winners are Washington, Montana, Florida, Colorado and North Carolina.

These results actually mirror the van lines’ findings to a striking degree. Only Arizona, Montana and Florida don’t show up in United’s top ten. Seven of the Census top ten are also on North American’s top ten. Unbelievably, Colorado is #9 on all three lists.

As for the Net Domestic Migration losers? Yes, Illinois is up there, but at #5, maybe this is the survey they should be talking about in Chicago.

Outbound:

  1. Wyoming
  2. Alaska
  3. New York
  4. Hawaii
  5. Illinois
  6. North Dakota
  7. New Jersey
  8. Connecticut
  9. Louisiana
  10. West Virginia

The big loser in the 2017 migration tournament is Wyoming, a surprise since the Equality State doesn’t show up on any van line outbound lists – or inbound for that matter. United had them at 53% inbound for 2017. North American had them at 54% in. Only Atlas has them as outbound – based on a grand total of 330 moves.

The Bureau’s next three biggest net migration losers are Alaska, New York and Hawaii. Alaska and Hawaii, neither of which show up anywhere for United or North American, are Atlas’s #5 inbound and #5 outbound, respectively. North Dakota, New Jersey, Connecticut, Louisiana and West Virginia complete the Bureau’s top ten.

Again, while there are outbound wild cards, we still see some consistency between the Bureau and the van lines. Atlas and the Bureau actually have seven migration losers in common between their top tens. Looking at the US Census Bureau’s Net Domestic Migration map we can clearly see the winners clustered in the south and west with the losers dominating the northeast and midwest.

What’s The Takeaway?

Remember, the numbers put together by each of the van lines represent the migration trends among the customers they’ve served. Van lines count moves, the Bureau counts people.

This may not account for the reason United’s inbound champion Vermont is somehow a net loser according to the Census Bureau’s numbers, but it does suggest that, despite the discrepancies, the van lines and the Census Bureau can give a decent overall on what is going on out there.

But in the cases where data remains too contradictory to be meaningful, evaluating regions rather than individual states might give us a slightly more reliable picture of the migration trends playing out across the US. At the end of the day, we are only looking at a mere slice of the American migratory pie.

There’s More Realistic Data Out There

We need another, more encompassing way to look at where America is moving to and from.

DIY Moves and Hybrid Moves (besides U-Haul), which by far and away are the more common ways to move, are sorely misrepresented. When you move, do you routinely call up $2,000+ movers? Have you ever saved money by having your friends move you? What are these Full Service reports actually reflecting?

That’s something to keep in mind when the local news sounds off on “moving trends” based off a single Full Service Moving company’s report. 

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