Relocation Levels at an All Time Low

Since the U.S. Census Bureau began keeping track of domestic relocation levels in 1947, America has not seen a level of relocation as low as it is now.

Northeasterners relocate the least, citing high relocation costs as the likely reason, while relocations are the highest in the west.

Despite low levels, the reasons migration is down is not just a bad economy (although that appears to be a common driver), family matters remain the top reason for a move with marriage or divorce accounting for nearly one in three moves.

Why People Relocate

1. New or better home
2. Moving out on their own
3. Cheaper housing
4. New job or employee relocation
5. Moving closer to work
6. Lower crime rate
7. Wanted to buy a home
8. Loss of employment
9. Better weather
10. Due to natural disaster

These reasons appear to be timeless, but it is predicted that this list will look substantially different in two years with more reasons surrounding finances than family or work reasons. With relocation at an all time low, those involved in work related to relocations will continue to take a major hit as consumers choose to sit still and wait out this tide of bad economic times.