America is on the move again, and it's not just across town. It's across the country.

A better economy and a stronger housing market are motivating more Americans to pick up and move. In January and February, 5.4 percent more households moved this year than last, based on data from the nine largest moving companies. An estimated 36.5 million people moved in 2012, up from 35.1 million in 2011, the Census Bureau says.

Economic instability and weak home values have delayed moves. Survey data show that the average American moves six times in their adult life, but 49 percent of those recently surveyed said they put off moving since the housing bubble burst.

Millennials — those between the ages of 18 and 34 — are most likely to consider moving. About half of them say they'll consider it in the next year. Of the millennial respondents, 34 percent said they'd be more likely to rent today, down from 55 percent five years ago. Existing home sales were also up 10 percent in February from a year ago, the National Association of Realtors says.

For those planning a move in the next year, the most common reasons were to get to a new or better home or neighborhood.

If you are planning a move with a Durham Mover, you are not alone. North Carolina is one of the top three states people are moving to. The top states are:

1. Washington, D.C.

2. North Dakota

3. North Carolina

They're moving away from:

1. Wyoming

2. Nebraska

3. New York

 

(Photo attributed to Flickr member @ferret111 via the Creative Commons license.)