Household Mobility Decline Reaches Record Low In 2024

Just 11.8% of Americans changed residences in 2024—the lowest mobility rate recorded since at least 2010, continuing a long-term downward trend.
Local moves dominate: 5.9% of people moved within the same county, while only 2.1% moved across state lines.
Housing costs are climbing: Homeowners with a mortgage paid a median of $2,035/month in 2024, up 3.8% year-over-year.
The number of mortgage-free homes grew by nearly 900K, with Vermont and New Mexico seeing the sharpest increases.

Key Takeaways

Mobility Slows To A Crawl

Americans are staying put like never before. In 2024, only 11.8% of the population relocated—down from 15.4% in 2010, as reported by GlobeSt. The decline reflects a broader shift in household behavior. Mobility has steadily decreased over the last 15 years. Only brief upticks were recorded in 2020 and 2022.

The data shows that most moves are local. In 2024, 5.9% of Americans changed homes within the same county. Another 3.0% moved to a different county, while just 2.1% relocated across state lines.

Rising Costs, Stagnant Movement

While Americans are moving less, housing costs continue to climb. The median monthly cost for homeowners with a mortgage rose to $2,035 in 2024, up from an inflation-adjusted $1,960 in 2023. The 3.8% annual increase outpaced the previous year’s 3.0% gain, adding further financial pressure to potential movers.

Owner Demographics Shift

The total number of US households reached 132.7M in 2024, with married couples making up 46.7% of them. Notably, 35M homes were owned free and clear, a year-over-year increase of nearly 900K.

Some states saw particularly sharp growth in mortgage-free ownership:

Vermont: +8.9%
New Mexico: +8.7%

Why It Matters

Low household mobility has broad implications for housing markets, job relocation, and even social dynamics. As affordability challenges grow and the population ages, fewer people are choosing—or able—to move. This shift can constrain local housing inventory and impact regional economic growth.

Looking Ahead

If current trends hold, mobility rates could continue to stagnate or fall. Rising home prices and mortgage rates are making it harder for homeowners to move. For developers, investors, and policymakers, it’s important to understand where—and why—people aren’t moving. This may be just as crucial as tracking where they are.