Moving Companies

The 9,100 moving companies in the US provide packing, transportation, and storage services for used household and office goods to individuals and businesses. Firms may also offer warehousing and storage, packing, and special handling services or sell boxes, paper, bubble wrap, tape, and other packaging supplies for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) movers. In the moving industry, the carrier or van line operates as the transporter of household goods. The moving agent operates under contract with the carrier to manage the move.

Seasonal Demand

The moving and relocation business is highly seasonal and peaks during the summer when families like to move to avoid disrupting the school year.

Mobility Falls

The number of Americans who move has been mostly flat or on the decline for several years, with advances in technology creating remote working opportunities that eliminate the need for relocation.

Jul 24, 2026 - New Housing Law Could Spur More Relocations

• The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act seeks to expand housing supply through modest federal incentives, regulatory changes, and support for manufactured and modular construction, according to The New York Times. The law encourages cities to allow denser development, speeds some affordable housing processes, supports build-to-rent communities, and removes a costly chassis requirement for many manufactured homes. Over time, increased homebuilding and rental development could generate more household relocations, boosting demand for moving, packing, and storage services. However, housing industry observers suggest the law will have little immediate effect on affordability or availability because it provides limited direct funding, while local zoning rules, interest rates, and lengthy construction timelines remain significant constraints.
• The Wall Street Journal reports that the housing market is showing signs of improvement. According to mortgage technology and data firm Optimal Blue, mortgage rate locks, a leading indicator of home sales, reached their highest level since 2023 in June as lock volume rose 14% from a year earlier and 10% from May. Redfin said pending home sales also increased. Mortgage rates have stabilized near 6.5%, and growing inventory is encouraging more buyers to enter the market despite affordability challenges. Even so, economists expect the housing market to recover gradually because elevated home prices and borrowing costs continue to limit affordability.
• According to Realtor.com, the US housing market remained steady in June as sellers adjusted expectations and buyers continued to make purchases despite mortgage rates near 6.5%. Asking prices fell 2.5% year over year, the largest decline in Realtor.com data since 2017, while pending sales rose for a seventh straight month, new listings increased 2.4%, and homes spent a median of 53 days on the market, matching last year and pre-pandemic norms. The report also highlighted growing regional differences, with prices weakening in the South and West but remaining above 2022 peaks in the Midwest and Northeast. Increased pending sales could support moving industry demand by generating more household relocations, although high mortgage rates and regional differences in inventory and pricing may limit growth in some markets.
• The share of young adults ages 25 to 34 living with parents or in-laws remains elevated at 19.5% in 2024, or about 9 million people, according to National Association of Home Builders' recent analysis of US Census Bureau data. The increase from under 12% in 2000 reflects delayed marriage, income constraints, and housing affordability pressures. These trends could slow household formation and reduce relocation activity, weighing on demand for the moving services industry as fewer young adults move into independent housing. Marriage remains the strongest predictor of leaving home, while higher income and steady employment improve the odds of independence. However, high housing costs in many markets continue to limit mobility and keep more young adults living at home in the US.

Industry size & Structure

The average moving company operates out of a single location, employs about 11 workers, and generates about $2.4 million annually.

• The moving industry consists of about 9,100 companies that employ 98,200 workers and generate $22 billion annually.

• The industry is concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for 29% of industry revenue.

• Large companies, which include UniGroup (United Van Lines, Mayflower), SIRVA (Allied, North American Van Lines, Global), and Atlas, may have global operations.

• Companies that provide long-distance move services account for 32% of firms and 64% of revenue. Companies that provide local move and storage services account for 69% of firms and 36% of revenue.

• About 40% of firms generate less than $500,000 annually.

• The industry includes van lines, van line agents, and independent movers.