Research Reports

Explore data-driven research on real estate, housing, self storage, moving trends and economic forces shaping today’s markets.

Freeway showing cars going into Seattle

CA To WA Migration: Top Talent Is Moving To Washington — And Bringing Their Wallets

Key Takeaways:

Images of Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX

California-To-Texas Migration Holds Steady At 100K Annually, With 1 In 5 Movers Coming From LA

California remains the undisputed leader in outbound migration nationwide, with nearly 683,000 residents leaving the state in a single year, according to the latest available U.S. Census data. Their top destination? Texas — which welcomed approximately 98,000 former Californians in 2023 alone.

exterior of a self storage facility

The South And Mountain West Are Outpacing The Nation For Self Storage Performance

Self storage has long been a quiet outperformer in the real estate realm—earning its reputation as a “recession-proof” asset. With a national estimated self storage asset market value of $237 billion, it has proven to be a resilient and appealing choice for investors and developers seeking steady returns and long-term growth.

Interior of a modern micro apartment

Micro-Housing In The US: San Francisco Leads The Way

Micro-apartments were practical before they were cool. Once a spot-on solution for factory workers and new arrivals to big cities, they’ve evolved into a trendy lifestyle choice for recent grads, young professionals and empty nesters embracing urban living. Today, small homes offer the best of both worlds — not just aesthetic appeal, but a smart, space-efficient response to the rising demand for housing in land-strapped cities struggling to absorb waves of new residents.

CA to NV Migration: Driving to Las Vegas on Interstate 15 - California, USA

Nevada Among Top Destinations In California Exodus, With Las Vegas The Preferred Choice For Movers

Californians show no signs of taking Nevada off their relocation radar — even as overall migration has slowed over the past decade. While most outbound residents head to Texas or Arizona, many see Nevada as the next logical move. According to our analysis of the latest migration data, more than 49,500 people relocated from California to Nevada in 2023 alone — the equivalent of an entire city like Whitney, NV, moving in over the course of a single year. That translates into 136 people moving from California to Nevada per day.

Person dropping belongings in self storage facility

1 In 3 Americans Rent Self Storage As Space Shortages Grow And Demand Expands

A third of Americans are now relying on self storage to manage their extra belongings, according to StorageCafe’s annual survey on renter demand and habits. At the core of this growing trend? The housing market.

Exterior of self storage facility

Self Storage Development Boom Cools, But Prices Still Rise In 39% Of Major U.S. Cities

The U.S. self storage industry is adjusting to a new market reality following an unprecedented boom during the pandemic. A mix of elevated supply levels, softening consumer demand in certain areas and some economic alarm bells has generated a rebalancing of the sector.

Exterior of self storage facility

$3 Billion In Self Storage Sales In 2024 Pave The Way For A Strong 2025

The self storage industry had a big year in 2024, with 822 properties sold for a total of $3 billion. More than 51 million square feet of storage space changed hands, making up 2% of the country’s total inventory. Investor demand stayed strong, fueled by the sector’s steady cash flow and ability to perform well in diverse market conditions.

Aerial view of highway to Miami, Florida. American highway junction.

Top Moving Destinations In Florida: Suburbs Emerge As Top Spots For Homeownership Dreams

After nearly a decade as the top migration destination in the U.S., Florida fell to second place in 2023, surpassed by Texas. Nonetheless, the state continues to attract and retain out-of-state residents at impressive levels, despite pandemic-related disruptions to mobility and ongoing economic challenges. According to our interstate migration study based on the latest data from the U.S. Census, approximately 1,755 people moved into Florida per day in 2023, while 1,380 left, resulting in a net gain of 375 new Florida residents daily — or 137,000 people over the year.

Aerial sunset view of the skyline of downtown Irvine, CA

The Fastest-Growing Cities Of The Decade: Population Booms In The South, With Texas Heading The Race

Key Takeaways:

Austin Texas skyline

Austin’s Self Storage Boom: One-Third Of City’s Inventory Built In Last Decade

Austin is expanding rapidly — and with it, so is the need for extra space. Over the past decade, the city’s self storage sector has been on a major growth spree, adding nearly a third of its total inventory in just 10 years. Today, Austin offers 10 million rentable square feet of self storage, or over seven square feet per person, aligning with the national benchmark.

Aerial-view-of-self-storage-facilities-with-town-in-the-background

The 6 Ds Of Self Storage Demand: Widespread Interest Puts The West In The Lead, While The South Comes In Second For Extra Space Needs

Life events continue to drive the U.S. self storage market, with moving, housing affordability, and economic shifts fueling sustained demand. Search interest in self storage has surged 88% since 2020, reaching a record 25 million annual searches in 2024.