JK Moving Services, the nation’s largest independently owned and operated moving company, has provided insights into trends that are expected to shape the regional and national moving industry in 2026.

“Last year was lackluster for residential moves, but pent-up demand and expected lower interest rates will make 2026 much stronger. Commercial moves will still be hampered by excess inventory and changing norms," said David Cox, President, JK Moving. “The biggest challenge facing our industry is rising costs, while the biggest opportunity is AI with the potential to streamline business and reshape the customer experience.”

In 2025, many people held off on buying or selling homes as anticipated mortgage rate declines not materializing. Rates will continue to be a major factor in shaping the real estate market this year, but many trade groups including The National Association of REALTORS® are expecting rates to drop. In fact, NAR is forecasting a double-digit increase in home sales as a result. Regardless of what happens to rates, JK expects many consumers will give up waiting and make a move anyway since rates have been higher for three years.

Other trends and factors include:

Costs

Rising costs on all items including labor, vehicles, facilities, and especially insurance—will be a significant issue for the moving industry. For JK Moving, technology is helping mitigate insurance related costs. Safety technology in moving vehicles helps protect drivers, save gas, and control costs. Specifically, JK’s drive cam program has been instrumental in improving its safety record and impacting incident and accident rates.

Technology

AI is redefining how business gets done. Many moving companies continue to invest in technology to create a more streamlined experience for consumers, which also helps manage costs. Increasingly, agentic AI is helping to reimagine customer experience. AI-driven analytical tools ensure better route planning, crew size planning, accuracy of estimates, and sales experiences. JK’s state-of-the-art, AI-based phone survey app allows consumers to develop virtual estimates by “seeing” and measuring furniture in each room. JK is also an early adopter of agentic AI, helping consumers get the tailored help they need.

Commercial Relocations

According to a Moody’s report, the national office space vacancy rate will reach 24% in early 2026. The remote worker phenomenon is here to stay and has reshaped commercial office moving. Shift to remote or hybrid means organizations require less office space, resulting in lower volume for traditional commercial moving. Couple that with businesses moving digital assets (vs. paper), there is simply less product to move (e.g. no longer have filing cabinets). All these have had a negative impact on commercial real estate. Many markets are starting to convert commercial space into residential. The need for expert decommissioning services like JK Moving offers will continue to be important. Decommissioning is the process of dismantling and removing a facility or system that is no longer in use.

As a result of these shifts, many moving companies are migrating into adjacent business lines such as warehousing; furniture, fixtures & equipment, including hotel and hospitality remodels; and final and first mile delivery (picking up new products from manufacturers and putting them in warehouses). The need to diversify will continue to shape the logistics and moving industry.

DC Metro Region (and Beyond)

Many of the major changes made by the new administration have greatly impacted the moving and relocation industry as people lost jobs, government departments disbanded including USAID, and local firms that support the government shut down. On the flip side, people have retired or moved on, and JK saw an increase in moves to retirement destinations like the Carolinas and FL.

Living Abroad

As both remote working and the global nature of work continues, international moves are creating specialization within the industry with some moving companies catering to the unique details and intricacies involved with relocating abroad or vice-versa moving to the U.S. from abroad. Experienced international movers help clients navigate the challenges of regulations, taxes, fees, different customs, and packing and unpacking that supports a smooth move.

ABOUT JK MOVING SERVICES

For more than 40 years, JK Moving Services – the largest independently owned and operated moving company in North America – has provided local, long-distance, and global relocation services to a variety of commercial, residential, and government clients. Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia and voted Independent Mover of the Year by the American Trucking Association, the company maintains a full-time, professionally trained staff of relocation and move management experts committed to providing the highest level of customer care. www.JKMoving.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113201969/en/

JK Moving cites rising costs and AI as factors that will impact the commercial and residential moving industry in 2026.