Research Reports
Explore data-driven research on real estate, housing, self storage, moving trends and economic forces shaping today’s markets.
Cross-Country Moving Costs: Most Expensive To Cheapest Relocation Routes
An estimated 7.5 million people relocated across state lines in 2023, continuing a long-standing trend driven by housing affordability, job opportunities and lifestyle preferences. While local moves have slowed — from 11.9% of the population in 2014 to 9.1% in 2023 — long-distance relocations remain steady. In fact, interstate moves have consistently involved over 2.3% of the U.S. population each year for most of the past decade, peaking at 2.5% during the pandemic.
US Migration Trends: Texas Overtakes Florida, Becomes The Nation’s Top State For Net Migration
Today’s moving trends seem to be increasingly driven by necessity rather than lifestyle. According to the latest U.S. Census data, Americans are moving less frequently than they used to, with a staggering 87.9% of the population staying in the same home year after year — a notable rise from the 85.1% reported a decade ago. This slower pace of moving seems to be mostly driven by a big drop in local relocations.
Where Love Lasts Most In The U.S.: Happily Ever After Thrives In New England And The Midwest
Valentine’s Day comes and goes in a flurry of roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and candlelit dinners – all of which we indulge in wholeheartedly (pun intended). And we’re not just giving love, we’re spending it too – a record-breaking $27.5 billion is expected to be joyfully poured into Valentine’s Day celebrations this year, according to the National Retail Federation, all in honor of the people we hold dear.
Where Gen Z Is Buying Homes: The Top 10 States for Young Homebuyers in 2025
For the first time ever, Gen Zers are matching Millennials in state-to-state migration numbers, with nearly 2.2 million Gen Zers relocating long-distance in 2023. This generational shift marks a major turning point as young professionals and early-career workers move in search of affordable housing, better job opportunities and a lifestyle that aligns with their values.
StorageCafe’s Best Lifestyle Stories of 2024
The real estate market is often all about numbers and trends, but the way those big-picture stats affect our everyday lives is huge. It’s fascinating to see how we’ve adapted to major events—like the health crisis—and how those changes have influenced our lifestyle and housing choices.
2024 in Review: Arizona Outranks Most States In Real Estate Performance
Arizona, and Phoenix in particular, has delivered a stellar performance in real estate this year. Its resilience following the health crisis, coupled with a vibrant entertainment scene, diverse experiences, and a laid-back culture – all supported by a strong job market – has transformed Phoenix into one of the most sought-after places to live in the U.S.
Behind The Roll-Up Doors: REITs Expand To Own A Third Of The Self Storage Market
What began as a modest family business in a small Texas town has, over the last 60 years, grown into a $20.53 billion industry, boasting over 2 billion square feet of rentable space across the U.S. With demand for space growing amid increasing urbanization trends, rising home prices and evolving storage needs, the self storage sector attracted the attention of institutional investors, gradually minimizing the gap between traditionally owned properties and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Out With The Old, In With Self Storage: U.S. Cities Convert Industrial, Retail Spaces Into Storage Facilities
Self storage construction has surged in recent decades, driven by the industry’s ability to provide flexible solutions to life’s challenges — whether it’s dislocation, divorce, death or the need to downsize. With living space increasingly at a premium in urban centers, it’s no surprise that self storage has become an essential resource. The sector has risen to meet this demand, building an impressive inventory of nearly 2 billion square feet nationwide, with over 90% of that space delivered in the last four decades.
California Exodus Spills Into Phoenix Metro And Arizona’s Western Counties
California’s year-round mild weather and booming economy have paradoxically made it one of the least affordable housing markets in the United States. Sky-high real estate prices and an escalating cost of living are pushing residents to leave at a striking pace.