Atlas Van Lines’ annual study reveals details about domestic and international moves.

Since 1993, Atlas Van Lines has been releasing an annual report that compiles internal data to track domestic and international relocation trends. The organization’s most recent Annual Migration Patterns Study has revealed that people moved en masse to regions with increasing populations due to the unique economic and social changes of recent years.

Atlas Van Lines' data reveals an exodus of individuals from some of the least expensive states such as Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois. This demonstrates that affordability is becoming overshadowed by other driving forces to change locations, like being closer to family.

The 2022 survey revealed that Florida was the fastest-growing state in the nation and quickly became a favorite choice for those relocating. This year’s survey found that North Carolina managed to seize the title of inbound leader, while Illinois took over New York's spot as an outbound champion for at least four years.

In addition to domestic moves, the Annual Migration Patterns Study examined international moves. 

The survey revealed an impressive 41.5% surge in international household goods moves for 2022. This shift seems to indicate the powerful effect of relaxed travel regulations and amplified mobility on global migration trends. Last year saw immense international migrations, with Japan serving as the top origin country and Germany and the United Kingdom being two of the most popular global destinations.

Data on U.S. interstate and cross-border moves from 2021 to 2022 reveal that three Canadian provinces experienced a shift in mobility. During 2021, Alberta shifted from a balanced status to an inbound one, while Québec changed over to outbound. On the other hand, British Columbia achieved a balanced standing by 2022.

In addition to exploring where people move, the moving company also looks at why people move.

Factors that Impact Mobility

In a separate study, Atlas World Group's Corporate Relocation Survey delved into the complexities of employee relocation, uncovering the various factors that make this decision difficult for today's workforce.

Employees are making career alterations while navigating an ever-evolving economic environment, one where inflation and housing values significantly sway their decisions. Family obligations, financial commitments, and domestic duties are also given due consideration. 

A large portion of the workforce is composed of Gen Xers and millennials who are tasked with taking care of not only their children but also their elderly parents. When seeking employment, those with childcare, elder care, or financial responsibilities are likely to be thinking of how these will be addressed.

Aside from financial issues, international conflict has had a tremendous influence on relocations in 2022 and the years to come. For example, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused far-reaching economic reverberations around the world. As sanctions strengthen and violence persists, interest in and willingness to undertake international relocations may waver. It is possible that safety apprehensions about the conflict in Europe will be a deciding factor in declining relocation opportunities this year.

Another impacting factor in employee relocations is the cost. Many factors affect why and where people move, and many of the same factors also affect how much those moves cost.

The Cost of Relocations

In the summer of 2022, Worldwide ERC^® conducted its U.S Domestic Permanent Transfers: Volume & Cost Report. Our survey revealed that the average total transfer costs are now at their highest ever recorded. Survey respondents estimated that their U.S. domestic permanent transfer volumes would grow by 5% from 2022 to 2023 on average.

In 2022, the record-breaking costs for relocating within the United States were immense. Homeowners spent an average of $85,466, and renters paid out a whopping $33,532. It appears this development is likely to persist through 2023, with a projected surge of approximately 9% in costs for homeowners and renters alike. In total, the estimated sum would add up to approximately $93,823 for homeowners and $36,486 for rented dwellings.

Home sale assistance remains the most expensive component of a transfer. BVOs (buyer value options) remain the most favored choice among companies offering home sale programs, while reimbursement-only programs are used less often.

On average, companies can expect to pay $36,910 in 2023 for home sale assistance. On average, organizations incur an expense of $16,465 when shipping household goods for relocation, making it the third highest cost associated with relocating. 

Increasing relocation costs are having a major impact on how businesses move their employees, both in the U.S. and abroad. With the cost of moving, including expenses such as temporary housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses, the total cost of relocation can become quite steep.

Rising relocation costs may force organizations to be more selective in the relocation process and to focus on necessary or high-impact moves. They may also choose to reduce the number of relocations or to provide employees with only limited assistance with each relocation. As a result, businesses must be more strategic in how they approach relocating employees.