According to the American Trucking Association (ATA)’s Economic Outlook for 2025 by Chief Economist, Bob Costello, 1 million new single family homes are expected to be built this year and next.

Overall he is optimistic that after two years of residential decline, there will be some upside.

“People are going to move a little bit more. Mortgage rates have come down a little bit. We’re going to build about a million new single family homes this year and next year. It’s not going down like we've been reporting for the last two years. It’s either flat-ish to up, depending on what the metric is, and I think that’s a positive for trucking.”

— Bob Costello, Chief Economist | American Trucking Association

The moving industry has been on a rollercoaster since 2020. From high peaks during the pandemic to the lows of lows in 2022 and 2023, the macroeconomic environment has played a huge role in how many people are moving, where they’re moving and whether they’re buying a new home or renting.

And finally, economists are forecasting with optimism.

During the 2025 Residential Market Outlook, Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Homebuilders, shared major housing market trends that will shape residential moving.

Major macroeconomic trends that will shape HHG moving:

Immigration and policy changes to impact population

‍In 2023, the U.S. welcomed 3 million immigrants, adding substantial pressure to housing demand and moves. The administration’s policies on immigration could shift this trajectory.

A tighter workforce may prompt the search for alternative labor solutions or spark innovation in technology to bridge gaps. If enforcement or reform restricts labor availability, industries dependent on immigrant workers could face major operational challenges.

Housing affordability crisis opens up rental market

‍With interest rates soaring, many prospective homebuyers are priced out, pushing more people into the rental market. For movers, this shift means developing specialized services tailored for renters—think efficient, smaller-scale moves or subscription-based packages for lease transitions. Highlight affordability and convenience in your messaging, and integrate add-ons into your upselling strategy.

Labor shortage is still in the red

‍The shortage of skilled workers continues to escalate costs and operational headaches in construction and moving. With a smaller workforce, we can't build homes fast enough, and moving companies struggle to acquire and retain their movers and staff.

Invest in automation to mitigate reliance on manual work—automated dispatch, route optimization, and AI-assisted customer service and sales are just the start.

Prioritize employee retention through training programs, performance-based incentives and enabling easier tipping options for customers to reward and safeguard service quality.

Urban areas are back in demand

‍With remote work settling into the new normal, younger professionals are flocking back to urban centers for job opportunities and lifestyle. Back to office and hybrid employers are driving this demand, especially given that only 40 of the Fortune 500 companies publicly state that they are completely remote.

Position your company as the go-to for city moves, offering services such as small-space relocations, eco-friendly packing solutions, or partnerships with apartment complexes to streamline the moving experience.

Construction delays poise opportunity for storage

‍Material shortages, labour shortages, and logistical issues are delaying construction projects, impacting related moves. You can imagine the challenges that this brings to pre-construction homeowners: struggling with selling their former homes too early, overstaying their welcome with family, renting longer than they need to, and more.

Stay ahead by collaborating with builders and monitoring local construction timelines to align moving schedules with project completions. Provide temporary storage options to accommodate delays, or short-term relocations until build is ready.

Consumer spending expected to decline

‍With personal savings rates under 5% and credit card debt climbing 33% in the last 18 months, consumers are tightening their belts, affecting discretionary spending.

Cater to this trend with flexible payment options like instalment plans or early-booking discounts. Market services as stress-free and time-saving, focusing on the value they deliver.

Baby Boomers remodel, Millennials eager to move

‍Migration patterns continue to shape demand, especially to lower-tax, affordable regions like the South and Southwest. The remodelling trend is strong among baby boomers choosing to age in place, while millennials’ demand for housing is poised to drive the market for the next decade.

Adapt by focusing marketing efforts on affordability and quality of life.

For baby boomers, emphasize downsizing services or storage solutions.

For millennials, promote budget-friendly and streamlined first-time moves. Partner with contractors for clients undergoing renovations, offering temporary storage or furniture-moving services.

Climate risks have been on the rise

‍Natural disasters are driving people out of their homes temporarily or moving out of high-risk areas and reshaping where they settle.

If you live in or near one of these regions, cater to this demand by developing specialized services for emergency relocations, temporary storage, and insurance support.

Job growth and the housing ripple effect

‍Tech hubs and areas with booming job markets, like Texas and North Carolina, are seeing housing demand surge. Monitor regional job data and corporate announcements to pinpoint where the next big moves will be.

By following where new jobs (e.g. datacenters) are being created in various states, it will help first movers to capture volume there earlier.

Form partnerships with large employers to provide employee relocation packages and expand your presence in these high-growth regions early. Highlight your expertise in professional moves, especially for industries like tech that may need specialized services.

Moving isn't going anywhere. We're here to stay.

For movers, understanding these evolving trends can mean the difference between capitalizing on a new opportunity or falling behind. Adjust your strategies to meet the market where it’s headed, not where it’s been.

Watch the full 2025 Residential Market Outlook for moving companies here: