Moving for a Job? Why Housing May Be the Make-or-Break Factor

Ohio may be well-positioned to attract more job relocators.   

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Americans are still willing to move for the right job—but increasingly, they may be less able to. Housing costs, mortgage rates and limited for-sale inventory are growing factors in deciding whether to relocate.

That shift is showing up in employer data. In the latest Atlas Van Lines 2026 Corporate Relocation Survey, more than half—59%—of more than 500 companies surveyed reported at least one employee declined a relocation offer last year. While family ties still top the list of reasons, housing pressures are quickly rising.

Concerns about buying or renting in a new market increased from 25% in 2024 to 28% last year, while worries about selling an existing home rose from 19% to 21%. It may not seem like a large jump, but consider, less than five years ago housing was barely a factor in corporate relocation decisions.

“This year’s report illustrates that relocation remains a key component of workforce strategy in a hybrid and AI-powered world, and that it must be tailored to individuals’ unique needs in order to be successful,” says Jack Griffin, chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group.

Housing Lock-in May Be Limiting Mobility

Industry analysts point to “housing lock-in” as a major barrier—homeowners with a 2% to 3% pandemic-era mortgage rate are reluctant to move and take on rates that are now roughly double. Atlas’ survey found the following top reasons employees decline relocation:

• Family issues or ties (34%)
• Concerns about housing or mortgages in the destination market (28%)
• Concerns about selling or leaving their current home (21%)

Housing-related barriers are starting to rival family considerations—signaling a major shift in workforce mobility.

Employers Are Expanding Support, But It’s Getting Costly

The Atlas survey shows that companies are responding with bigger and more flexible relocation packages to attract top talent, including:

• Cost-of-living adjustments (52%)
• Extended temporary housing (38%)
• Mortgage assistance programs (28%)

Surveys from firms like Cartus and WHR Global shows a similar trend: Employers are shifting away from fixed packages toward flexible, individualized support to attract the right employees to move.

A benchmark from MoveBuddha underscores how wide the gap has become, with relocation packages in 2026 ranging from a few thousand dollars for renters to $15,000 to $100,000-plus for homeowners. The packages greatly depend on the distance of the move as well as the applicant’s job level.

Midwest Momentum: The Affordability Advantage for Relos?

While relocation is becoming more difficult overall, the Midwest is emerging as a bright spot.

A Realtor^®.com Spring 2026 Report shows Midwest metros leading the nation in both rising listings and contract signings, with standout markets, including Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, Ky.; Indianapolis; and Ohio metros like Columbus and Cincinnati. The region’s affordability advantage is becoming more visible: The National Association of REALTORS^® reports the Midwest posted the strongest regional gain in existing-home sales in May, along with the lowest median home sales price at about $336,300.

Ohio is also showing signs of a turnaround. The Wall Street Journal last month wrote, “The Midwestern Exodus Is Finally Ending,” noting a turnaround after years of population declines throughout the state. As manufacturing jobs left, the city of Akron lost one-third of its population from 1960 to 2020, and Cleveland lost 60%, the report notes. But the state is now seeing modest population upticks, with cities like Cleveland and Akron increases being driven by an uptick in service-sector jobs and tech startups.

Relocation Factors

Across industry relocation and housing surveys—from Atlas Van Lines to Realtor^®.com and mobility providers—the message is consistent: Relocation is increasingly not just about chasing a new job, but also about the housing. 

For real estate professionals handling relocation clients, here are four trends, according to industry surveys:  

• Longer decision cycles, as employees run the numbers on selling, buying and financing to a new place.
• Higher reliance on home sale contingencies, especially among homeowners with low pandemic-era mortgage rates.
• Increased demand for temporary housing solutions, as buyers look to bridge timing gaps between closings.
• Heightened rate sensitivity, where even small shifts in mortgage rates or pricing is determining whether a move proceeds.

At the same time, companies are still trying to preserve mobility as a recruiting advantage, but housing realities are now part of the equation. That dynamic could bode well for Midwest employers, where greater housing affordability in the region means the numbers may be more likely to work for both companies and employees.

 

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