4 in 10 Americans Plan to Move In the Next Year To Cut Housing Costs

Core insights:

• 4 in 10 respondents say they will likely move in the next year to reduce housing expenses
• Reasons for wanting to minimize expenses include rising housing costs and political and economic concerns
• 1 in 4 want to cut their housing expenses by 50% or more

Rising Costs, Trump Policies, and a Looming Recession Are Driving Americans To Move

Rising housing costs (56%) are the primary reason respondents want to move into a less expensive living situation. Many are also motivated by a desire for a simpler, lower-maintenance lifestyle (43%) and concerns that Trump’s policies could negatively impact the economy (33%).

Other contributing factors include:

• Fear of an impending recession (27%)
• Needing cash and leveraging home equity (24%)
• Job insecurity or a recent job loss (21%)
• Selling now to avoid a potential housing market crash (16%)

Among respondents over the age of 55, 68% say they’re preparing for retirement and want to reduce their living expenses. Additionally, 41% cite concerns about potential cuts to Medicare or Social Security.

1 in 8 Americans Plan To Downsize Their Home Within the Next 12 Months

Four in ten respondents say they either definitely (14%) or probably (21%) plan to move into a less expensive living situation within the next year. Meanwhile, 23% say they definitely won’t move, 19% say they probably won’t, and 16% remain unsure.

Among those planning a move, the most common cost-saving strategies include:

• Moving to a less expensive area (63%)
• Downsizing to a smaller home or apartment (43%)
• Moving in with family (16%)
• Adding roommates (14%)

Of those who plan to downsize, 41% say their new home will be a lot smaller, 52% say it will be a little bit smaller, and 7% expect only a tiny reduction in size.

“When planning a move, assess your living patterns, hobbies, and future lifestyle needs,” says Reagan Phillips, Home Organization & Storage Expert at Storage Units. “Someone passionate about fashion should prioritize homes with spacious closets, while cooking enthusiasts need an adequate kitchen despite the smaller overall space.”

“Before downsizing, decluttering becomes essential. Follow this general rule: if losing 50% of your square footage, decrease your belongings by half; if losing 25%, reduce your possessions by 25%. Start decluttering with small areas like bathrooms or linen closets before tackling larger spaces like kitchens and garages. A systematic approach prevents overwhelm.”

1 in 4 Aim To Cut Their Housing Expenses By 50% or More

Among those planning to move to a less expensive living situation, 14% aim to reduce their housing costs by less than 10%. Just over half (51%) want to cut costs by 20-30%, while 28% are targeting a larger reduction of 40-60%. Additionally, 5% hope to reduce expenses by 70-90%. Another 3% say they want to eliminate housing costs entirely.

1 in 5 Plan to Rent a Storage Unit To Store Excess Belongings

When downsizing or relocating, many respondents are finding creative ways to deal with their excess belongings. The most common approach is selling items for extra cash (46%). Additionally, respondents say they will give away items to family or friends (37%) or donate them to charity (33%). Others plan to fit everything into the new space (19%), rent a storage unit (19%), or store belongings in a garage or basement (15%).

“Moving can be emotional, stressful, and costly, but things can go smoothly with proper preparation. Start the decluttering process 3 to 6 months before the move so you can take your time throughout the decision-making process. For an effective sorting exercise, empty an entire space onto a table or two to visualize excess and group similar items together. Then, pick out and dispose of or donate duplicate or non-essential items. Start packing items you’re going to keep if possible. Storage units can be beneficial during a move. For example, many homeowners rent storage units temporarily to store packed boxes, which helps maintain a clean, staged appearance for selling their current home,” says Phillips. 

Methodology: This report is based on data from a survey commissioned by StorageUnits.com and conducted online via Pollfish from March 19 to March 20, 2025. The survey included a representative sample of 1,000 U.S. residents. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].