The State of Moving

To uncover the real story behind America's moving trends, we partnered with Pollfish to survey 2,500 people across all 50 states, with at least 50 respondents per state. We asked about everything from why people are relocating and how much they're spending to which states are seeing the biggest influx (or exodus) of movers.

The insights we gathered helped shape our first-ever Best Movers Awards, ensuring our recommendations reflect what real people value most — whether it's affordability, reliability, or stress-free service.

Here's a snapshot of what we learned.

• California and Florida are the top states from which people are leaving — largely due to concerns about affordability.
• South Carolina, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Wyoming emerged as the most popular states for movers in 2024.

• Finding a cheaper cost of living was cited as the top motivator for relocation in 2025.
• Other popular reasons included wanting to be closer to family, upgrading to a larger space, or relocating for work opportunities.

See which cities have the lowest cost of living in the U.S. 

DIY moves are on the rise. In 2024, most people moved using a rental truck or moving container, citing affordability and flexibility. Full-service movers are still the go-to for long-distance and out-of-state moves, especially among households with children or seniors.

• 6 in 10 (62%) people did a DIY move.
• Almost 4 in 10 (38%) used a professional mover.
• Renting a moving truck is the most popular DIY moving option.
• Packing and unpacking is the top professional moving service, with furniture disassembly/assembly coming in second.

All movers (whether doing it themselves or using pro movers) told us they spent between $1,500 and $65,000 on moves in 2024. Those who hired professional movers spent between $1,012 and $25,000. Factors like the size of the home and distance impact how much people spend, with larger, more distant moves costing more.

We also asked how close professional moving quotes are to the final price that movers are paid. We were happy to find that people typically paid just about what they expected to, with over 50% reporting a final cost that was within $100 of their estimate.

Learn about our Moving Cost Calculator and Online Moving Quotes.

In 2025, Move.org launched its first-ever State of Moving Survey. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the characteristics, motivations, and priorities of movers. The survey was fielded on January 14, 2025, through Pollfish, with 2,500 completed responses (at least 50 from each state).