Did You Know? 10 Surprising Moving Industry Facts That Might Change How You Plan Your Move
Moving is something most people do without really thinking about the industry behind it. But there are some genuinely fascinating — and useful — facts about moving in America and right here in Minnesota that might surprise you. Here are ten that we find particularly interesting.
1. Summer Is Genuinely the Busiest Season
About 70% of all moves in the United States happen between May and September. In Minnesota, that window is even more compressed — most families want to move after school ends and before it starts again. July is typically the single busiest month of the year for moving companies like ours.
2. Most People Move Less Than 50 Miles
Despite what you might think, most moves are local. Nearly 65% of all residential moves in the U.S. are within the same county. In the Minneapolis metro, most moves we handle are suburb-to-suburb or city-to-suburb relocations — familiar territory for our crews.
3. The Average American Moves 11.7 Times in Their Lifetime
That’s roughly one move every 6–7 years on average, though younger adults move more frequently. Some people are veteran movers; for others, a move every decade or two is the norm. Either way, having a reliable local mover you can call every time matters.
4. Friday and Saturday Are the Most Popular Moving Days
Most people prefer to move on a weekend or take a Friday off work. This means weekend dates — especially in July — can book up weeks in advance. If you have flexibility, a Tuesday or Wednesday move often means better availability and sometimes better rates.
5. The End of the Month Is the Busiest Time
Leases typically end at the end of the month, which means moving companies are in highest demand during the last week of any given month. The 28th–31st are the hardest dates to book in peak season. Mid-month dates offer more flexibility.
6. Americans Own an Average of 300,000 Items
That staggering figure from the LA Times illustrates why packing takes longer than anyone ever plans for. The average American home has hundreds of thousands of individual items — most of which somehow end up in boxes, drawers, and under beds.
7. Injuries Are Most Common During DIY Moves
The most common moving injuries are back strains, foot injuries, and cuts — and they happen overwhelmingly during self-service moves. Professional movers are trained in proper lifting technique and have the equipment to handle heavy items safely.
8. Minnesota Has One of the Highest Move-In Rates in the Midwest
The Twin Cities consistently ranks among the most livable metro areas in the country, drawing relocating families and professionals from across the region and beyond. That’s great for local businesses — and great for professional movers serving the area.
9. The Average Move Takes 7–10 Hours
A typical local move for a 3-bedroom home takes a professional crew of three movers roughly 7–10 hours from start to finish. DIY moves of similar scale often take two full days — and that’s assuming nothing goes wrong.
10. Professional Movers Handle Roughly 800,000 Household Moves Per Year in the U.S.
That’s a lot of boxes — and a lot of trust placed in professional crews. It’s why reputation, reviews, and experience matter when choosing your mover.
Ready to be one of those smart moves? 1st Class Moving is your trusted Minneapolis-area moving company. Get a free quote today.
