Brooklyn is booming. Queens is surging. And Californians are still making the move east. Roadway Moving's 2026 year-to-date data reveals a city in motion. Here's what the numbers say.

By Roadway Moving | 2026 YTD Data | New York City

NYC Move Demand Is Up, Significantly

If you've felt like your building has had a lot of move-in and move-out days lately, you're not imagining it. Across New York City, move demand in 2026 is meaningfully higher than the same period last year, and the growth is concentrated in some of the city's most dynamic neighbourhoods.

Roadway Moving tracks quote requests and completed moves across all five boroughs. In 2026 year-to-date, the numbers show a clear acceleration:

• Brooklyn: +62.3% in quote requests, +47.1% in completed moves
• Queens: +45.7% in quote requests, +49.3% in completed moves
• Manhattan: +44.9% in quote requests, +20.6% in completed moves
• Bronx: +31.2% in quote requests, though completed moves dipped slightly

The only borough showing softening is Staten Island, which saw a -17.4% decline in quote requests year over year.

The ZIP Codes Driving the Most Activity

Not all neighbourhoods move at the same pace. Across both local moves and inbound relocations, a consistent cluster of ZIP codes drives the majority of Roadway's activity in New York City.

Top Origin ZIP Codes for Local Moves

• 10472: Bronx
• 10019: Midtown West
• 10016: Murray Hill / Kips Bay
• 10011: Chelsea / West Village
• 11201: Brooklyn Heights / Downtown Brooklyn
• 10023: Upper West Side
• 10003: East Village / Union Square
• 10022: Midtown East
• 10028: Upper East Side

Several of these ZIP codes also appear on the top destination list for inbound relocations from other states, particularly 10016, 10023, 10003, and 11201. This dual presence indicates both high local churn and strong desirability for new arrivals to the city.

Inbound Relocations: Who's Moving to NYC and Where Are They Going?

While local moves account for roughly 87% to 88% of all NYC move activity, inbound relocations from other states are growing, and the destination patterns are shifting.

Manhattan continues to capture the majority of inbound movers, with a 27% increase in quotes and a 36% rise in completed moves. But the standout performer is the Bronx, which recorded an 86% jump in completed inbound moves year over year, the strongest percentage increase of any borough, albeit from a smaller base. Queens also posted strong numbers, with inbound completed moves up 47%.

Brooklyn's inbound picture is more mixed: only a 2% rise in quotes and an 8% decline in completed moves, suggesting that while interest in Brooklyn as a destination remains stable, conversion to completed jobs from out-of-state movers has softened slightly.

Where Are Inbound Movers Coming From?

The top origin states sending movers to New York City in 2026 are:

1. California, by a significant margin
2. New Jersey
3. Florida
4. Illinois
5. Texas
6. Connecticut
7. Pennsylvania
8. Washington DC
9. Massachusetts

California's continued dominance as the leading source state reflects ongoing migration patterns between the two coasts. New Jersey's high volume likely reflects regional moves: people crossing back into the city rather than long-distance relocations.

Most Moves Are Hyper-Local, and That's a Feature, Not a Bug

One of the most consistent findings in Roadway's data is how local NYC move demand really is. Roughly 87% to 88% of all move requests are for moves that both originate and end within New York City. And a large portion of those are within the same neighbourhood.

Common same-area patterns include:

• Upper East Side to Upper East Side
• Midtown East to Midtown East
• Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn internal moves
• East Village to nearby Downtown or Midtown areas

This doesn't mean people aren't moving. It means they're moving on their own terms. Upgrading to a larger apartment, downsizing after a life change, switching buildings to get better amenities or a lower rent. New York's moving market is less about leaving the city and more about navigating it.

How Far in Advance Do New Yorkers Plan Their Moves?

Move planning timelines in NYC have remained remarkably stable year over year. In 2026, the average preparation time between booking and moving day is 28.7 days, down slightly from 29.8 days in 2025. The median is 16 days, meaning half of all moves in New York City happen within two weeks of the booking date.

Here's how the distribution breaks down:

• 0 to 7 days: 25% of moves
• 8 to 14 days: 20% of moves
• 15 to 30 days: 30% of moves
• 31 to 60 days: 15% of moves
• 60+ days: 10% of moves

Nearly half of all NYC moves are booked within two weeks of the move date. If you're planning a move and haven't started yet, you're not behind, but you should get moving, literally.

What This Means If You're Planning a Move in NYC

Whether you're a renter looking to upgrade, someone relocating to the city for work, or a long-time New Yorker switching neighbourhoods, the 2026 data points to a few practical takeaways:

• Demand is high, especially in Brooklyn and Queens. If you're targeting a peak moving window, book early.
• Most movers plan 2 to 4 weeks out. That's the sweet spot for availability and pricing flexibility.
• Popular ZIP codes move fast. Neighbourhoods like Murray Hill, Chelsea, the Upper West Side, and Brooklyn Heights see consistently high demand year-round.
• If you're moving from out of state, you're in good company. Thousands of people relocate to NYC every year, and the logistics are very manageable with the right team.

Ready to Move?

Roadway Moving has been helping New Yorkers navigate the city's unique moving landscape for years. Whether it's a same-building swap in Midtown East or a cross-country relocation from California, we handle every move with the same attention to detail.

Get your free quote at roadwaymoving.com, and let's get you moved.