Used Household and Office Goods Moving — Business Survival Rate
An estimated 46% of used household and office goods moving businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 14.2%.
Is Used Household and Office Goods Moving a Good Business to Start?
With a 46% five-year survival rate, used household and office goods moving is near the national average (~50%). This means roughly half of new entrants will still be operating after 5 years — typical business risk that rewards solid planning and execution.
The annual exit rate of 14.2% indicates moderate turnover. Success depends on differentiation, location, and operational efficiency rather than inherent industry advantages.
Entry vs. Exit Rates
Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.
Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-1.2 pp spread).
Job Creation & Destruction
The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 499,501 workers across 42,221 firms.
Want to know how much used household and office goods moving businesses actually make?
See full revenue benchmarks for Used Household and Office Goods Moving →Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of used household and office goods moving businesses fail?
- Approximately 54% of used household and office goods moving businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 14.2%, with 5,742 firms closing permanently in 2023.
- Is the used household and office goods moving industry growing or shrinking?
- The used household and office goods moving industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of -0.7% per year. New businesses are entering at 13.1% while 14.2% close annually.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.