Atlas Van Lines in the USA has released its 2024 Migration Patterns Study revealing key trends and insights for the moving industry.
The study is conducted annually to measure Atlas customers’ interstate, interprovince, and international moves. This year’s study measures relocations from Nov. 1, 2023, to Oct. 31, 2024, to gauge where people moved from and where they moved to.
New for 2024, Atlas also conducted a survey of consumers who recently relocated to gain insight into the motivations behind their moves. The survey of 1,135 people in August 2024 revealed three distinct reasons consumers moved: for work, to be closer to friends and family, and for affordability.
“In past years, the Migration Patterns Study told us where Atlas customers moved, but not necessarily why,” said Ryan McConnell, President and COO of Atlas Van Lines. “Atlas’ 2024 study and survey data provides insight into why some people moved where they did – or where they didn’t.”
2024 data
The Migration Patterns Study aligns with Census Bureau data indicating interstate moves are holding steady. This year shows the highest number of ‘balanced’ states in the last five years, meaning a relatively even number of people are moving in as moving out. Combined with the lowest number of outbound states in over five years indicates many people may not be moving at all, likely an impact of the ‘lock-in effect’, where people have existing mortgages at very competitive interest rates, that discourages homeowners from moving and drives housing prices up.
When consumers do move, the majority do so for work. In 2024, this corresponds with companies’ increasing mandates requiring employees to return to the office full-time. RTO mandates from Fortune 500 companies such as Walmart, CVS, and Amazon coincide with the top inbound states of Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Moving to be closer to friends and family and affordability were also cited as high motivations to move ...
Photo: Ryan McConnell, Atlas Van Lines - 2024 Migration Patterns Study.
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