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Atlas Survey Signals Confidence in Corporate Relocation
More Firms Boost Budgets Even as Declined Relocation Offers Increase
Key Takeaways:
- Sixty-one percent of companies expect to increase relocation budgets in 2026, according to Atlas Van Lines’ annual corporate relocation survey.
- Forty-six percent of companies reported an increase in declined relocation offers in 2025, driven largely by family and housing concerns.
- Companies are redesigning relocation programs to emphasize flexibility, well-being and employee experience.
The moving industry is facing economic constraints, even as 61% of companies expect to increase relocation budgets in 2026, according to a survey from Atlas Van Lines.
The 59th Annual Corporate Relocation Survey also found the share of companies reporting no change in their relocation budgets held steady at 30%. The results showed fewer companies reported a higher relocation budget last year at 57%.
Even as companies put more money behind relocation, employee resistance grew. Forty-six percent of companies reported an increase in declined relocation offers in 2025. The survey concluded that these results indicated a growing disconnect between corporate mobility goals and employee realities.
Atlas World Group CEO Jack Griffin said the findings underscore that relocation remains central to workforce strategy, even as work models evolve, adding that programs must be more flexible to succeed.
“[Relocation] must be tailored to individuals’ unique needs in order to be successful,” he said. “Our survey respondents show there are multiple ways to bring company and individual needs together harmoniously.”
Atlas ranks No. 49 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America.
The survey showed 54% of companies said relocation volume increased in 2025, while 52% expected volumes to increase in 2026. This compared with 19% of respondents who said relocations declined in 2025. The report noted that these results signaled sustained confidence in workforce mobility despite the economic uncertainty that has been driven by trade tensions, immigration policy and signs of a slowing labor market.
The 2026 Atlas® Corporate Relocation Survey is here.
For 59 years, it’s tracked how companies approach relocation, mobility, and talent strategy.
This year: growth, investment, and a stronger focus on people.
Explore: https://t.co/K84ks8Qbce pic.twitter.com/HaWmelF5dF — Atlas Van Lines Inc. (@Atlas_Van_Lines) April 23, 2026
The biggest external factor influencing relocation decisions for both employees and employers last year was economic conditions at 53%. That was followed by a lack of qualified people locally at 27% and concerns about available housing at 26%. The primary reason employees declined to relocate was family issues or ties at 34%.
Ryan McConnell, president and chief operating officer for Atlas, said, “[The survey] shows that corporate relocation proved remarkably resilient in 2025 and companies overwhelmingly view relocation as a strategic investment in talent, not just an expense. At the same time, we’re seeing a clear divergence.”
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McConnell added that while most organizations are expanding their mobility programs and increasing budgets, employee reluctance to relocate has increased due to family considerations, housing affordability, children’s schooling and mental health concerns.
McConnell said companies are rethinking traditional relocation policies as return‑to‑office plans and AI adoption reshape mobility needs, with a growing emphasis on employee experience. “[Packages] prioritize flexibility and well‑being,” he said.
The survey highlighted that the most significant shift in external factors influencing relocation was a 9% increase in political and regulatory considerations. This came amid changes to the H-1B visa process Sept. 21. The change meant petitions were required to be supplemented by a $100,000 payment, enhanced security vetting and the prioritization of high-skilled visas.
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The survey also found that companies worked to offset issues such as the shrinking housing supply, elevated mortgage rates and high home prices by offering additional support to employees. That included cost-of-living adjustments at 52%, extended temporary housing benefits at 38% and assistance with mortgage rates at 28%.
The survey covered 549 company leaders who collectively represented more than 20 industries. That included 32% small companies, 52% midsize companies and 16% large companies. The results were collected between Dec. 15 and Jan. 16.
