More than 70 per cent of companies in the United States and Canada report stable or rising volumes of employee relocations in 2025, according to new survey findings from Cartus Corporation.
The data, drawn from more than 100 HR and mobility professionals, suggests that business growth, market expansion and a shortage of local talent are driving relocation activity. At the same time, cost-control efforts, decreased demand in some areas, and hybrid work arrangements are tempering the overall pace.
The survey, which focuses on domestic mobility trends in the U.S. and Canada, points to a delicate balance employers are trying to maintain: providing a positive experience for relocating employees while managing budget pressures.
“Our survey aggregates findings from the wide variety of business sectors we serve and touches on common threads within the realm of talent management,” said Matt Tebbe, president and CEO of Cartus.
Rising costs a concern for half of respondents
Cost pressures remain top of mind. Fifty-one per cent of respondents said rising costs were a challenge, with many organizations turning to process efficiencies (42 per cent), flexible policy benefits (37 per cent), and lump sum payments (28 per cent) as ways to manage expenses.
Remote work benefits lagging behind adoption
While 39 per cent of companies reported having remote workers who relocated, 71 per cent of those employers do not offer company-sponsored mobility benefits for those individuals.
That gap highlights a potential area for improvement in aligning remote work policies with employee support programs.
Sustainability and inclusive support gaining traction
Nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) have incorporated non-traditional services into their relocation programs.
These include initiatives such as discard and donate programs, settling-in support, and additional time off. Cartus said these services aim to improve the employee experience and better align relocation programs with ESG goals.
