2026 US Relocation Statistics: 30+ Data Points from Federal Sources

1. Total US movers (Census Bureau ACS / Current Population Survey)

The US Census Bureau has tracked annual mover rates since 1948. The trend has been a long decline:

Source: US Census Bureau Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), American Community Survey (ACS) Migration tables, Geographic Mobility historical reports.

2. Average moving cost (AMSA, BLS price data)

The American Moving and Storage Association tracks self-reported industry pricing:

• Average local move (under 100 miles, 2-3 BR): $1,250 - $2,500 (~3 movers, 6-8 hours)
• Average interstate move (over 100 miles, 7,500 lbs): $4,890 (AMSA 2024 industry average, 1,000-mile move)
• National long-distance move (8,000+ lbs, 1,500 miles): $7,200 - $9,500
• Cross-country move (3,000+ miles, full household): $9,000 - $15,000+
• Container moves (PODS-style, interstate): $2,500 - $5,500 (DIY load)
• U-Haul rental + DIY interstate: $1,200 - $3,500 + fuel

Source: AMSA Industry Pricing Survey, BLS Producer Price Index for Truck Transportation of Freight (NAICS 4842), industry rate cards from Allied Van Lines, Mayflower, Atlas, North American.

3. FMCSA active household goods carriers (FMCSA SAFER 2026)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates interstate household goods movers under 49 CFR Parts 365, 371, and 375. Key registration counts:

• Active interstate household goods (HHG) carriers: ~7,200 (FMCSA SAFER, 2026)
• Active brokers (HHG): ~3,800
• Active forwarders (HHG): ~580
• Carriers also operating intrastate-only: ~22,000+ (state-regulated)
• Annual new HHG operating authority registrations: ~500-650/year
• Annual HHG operating authority revocations: ~400-550/year

Source: FMCSA SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System) database, Operating Authority registration reports. The FMCSA's Protect Your Move consumer page lists certified mover databases.

4. Mover damage claims (BBB, FMCSA complaints, AMSA data)

Damage claim data from BBB and FMCSA:

Industry damage claim incidence: AMSA estimates approximately 12-18% of moves involve a claim, with average claim value of $400-$1,200. Catastrophic loss (truck fire, theft, total loss) is approximately 0.05% of moves.

Source: FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database, BBB Annual Mover Reports, AMSA Industry Survey.

5. Fuel costs and rental truck pricing (AAA, U-Haul, Penske)

Fuel and rental truck pricing impacts DIY move costs:

• Average diesel price 2026: ~$3.85/gallon (AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, average through Q1 2026)
• Average regular gasoline 2026: ~$3.45/gallon
• U-Haul 26-foot truck (interstate, 1,000 miles): $1,200 - $2,500 (one-way) plus fuel ~$300-$400
• Penske 26-foot truck (1,000 miles, weekend): $1,400 - $2,800 (one-way)
• Budget Truck Rental 26-foot (1,000 miles): $1,100 - $2,300
• Average truck mpg (26-foot, full load): 6-8 mpg
• Insurance / damage waiver (per rental): $25-$80/day

Source: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, U-Haul, Penske, Budget published rate cards.

6. State-to-state migration patterns (Census ACS)

The largest 2024 state migration flows:

Net domestic migration leaders (people in - people out, Census ACS 2024): South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho, Montana. Net out-migration leaders: California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts.

Source: US Census Bureau ACS State-to-State Migration Flows tables.

7. Seasonal moving patterns (Census, U-Haul, AMSA)

Approximately 60-70% of all US moves occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day (May 28 - September 4):

• Peak month: July (~12-14% of annual moves)
• Second peak: June (~11-13%)
• Lightest months: December, January (~5-6% each)
• Last weekend of June: single highest demand weekend (~3-4% of moves)
• Peak season pricing premium: 15-30% above off-season
• Last day of month: ~25% higher demand than mid-month

This concentration creates capacity constraints — top movers book out 4-6 weeks in advance for July weekend slots. Off-peak (October-March) typically offers 10-20% pricing discount and broader scheduling.

8. Industry tariff rates (FMCSA, AMSA Tariff 400-N)

FMCSA does not regulate household goods rates (deregulated 1995), but the industry uses standard tariff structures:

• Tariff 400-N: Industry-standard line haul rate per 100 lbs per mile distance bracket
• Discount range: 35-65% off Tariff 400-N is typical retail pricing
• Linehaul minimum charge: $400-$800 typical
• Packing service: $0.30-$0.60 per pound (full pack), $0.40-$0.80 per pound (white-glove)
• Long carry charge: $0.80-$1.20 per 100 lbs per 75-foot increment beyond first 75 feet
• Stair carry: $0.80-$1.40 per 100 lbs per flight beyond first floor
• Storage in transit (SIT): $0.60-$1.20 per 100 lbs per day
• Valuation (60 cents per pound): Free, federally required minimum
• Full Value Protection: 1.5-3% of declared value as additional premium

Source: AMSA Tariff 400-N reference, individual carrier tariff filings with FMCSA.

9. Moving industry employment (BLS QCEW, OES)

Moving industry employment data:

Source: BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), May 2024 estimates.

10. U-Haul Migration Trends Report (annual rankings)

U-Haul publishes an annual Migration Trends Report ranking states by net U-Haul one-way truck rentals (arrivals vs departures). 2025 top growth states (one-way arrivals - departures):

1. South Carolina (top growth state for 4th year running)
2. Tennessee
3. Florida
4. North Carolina
5. Texas
6. Idaho
7. Montana
8. Indiana
9. Arizona
10. Georgia

Bottom of ranking (net departure states): California (consistent #50), Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, New York.

Source: U-Haul International Migration Trends Report 2025.

11. International moving / household goods (FIDI, FMCSA)

International moving data is fragmented because no single agency regulates it. Approximate figures:

• US household goods exported (international moves out): ~150,000-180,000 households per year
• US household goods imported (international moves in): ~140,000-170,000 households per year
• Average international move cost (single 20-foot container): $5,500 - $12,000
• Average international move cost (40-foot container): $9,000 - $20,000+
• Average transit time (East Coast US to UK): 4-6 weeks port-to-port plus customs
• Average transit time (West Coast US to Asia): 3-5 weeks port-to-port plus customs
• FIDI Global Alliance certified movers: ~600 globally, ~80 US-based

Source: FIDI Global Alliance member directory, individual international mover published rates, US Bureau of Transportation Statistics intermodal freight data.

12. Federal moving tax treatment (IRS Pub 521 / TCJA)

Pre-Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): moving expenses were deductible for relocations of at least 50 miles for new employment.

Post-TCJA (2018-2025): the deduction was suspended for most taxpayers. Active-duty military members making a permanent change of station (PCS) move under orders may still claim the deduction on Form 3903 and exclude employer-provided moving benefits from income.

The TCJA suspension is currently scheduled to sunset December 31, 2025. For 2026 and beyond, the moving expense deduction's status depends on subsequent legislation. As of May 2026, the suspension was not extended in late-2025 tax legislation, meaning the deduction may return for 2026 returns — but the IRS has not yet released definitive 2026 Form 3903 guidance. Taxpayers should monitor IRS Form 3903 updates and consult a CPA for 2026 filings.

Source: IRS Publication 521, Form 3903 instructions, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-97).

13. Source notes and citation

• FMCSA SAFER database — safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
• FMCSA Protect Your Move — fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move
• US Census ACS Migration — census.gov/topics/population/migration
• AMSA Industry Reports — moving.org
• BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages — bls.gov/cew
• BLS Occupational Employment Statistics — bls.gov/oes
• AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report — gasprices.aaa.com
• U-Haul Migration Trends Report — published annually at uhaul.com/migrationtrends
• IRS Publication 521, Form 3903 — irs.gov/forms-pubs
• BBB Moving Industry Trust Reports — bbb.org

License: CC BY 4.0. Citation format: Bilgic, M. (2026). 2026 US Relocation Statistics. Moving Calculator. https://moving-calculator.net/resources/2026-us-relocation-statistics-fmcsa-amsa