The Indicator from Planet Money Why Americans don't want to move for jobs anymore
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Oct 3, 2025 Americans are moving less than ever for work, leading to a rise in the 'homebody economy.' The podcast explores factors influencing this trend, like shrinking salary gaps and the rise of remote work. Increased female workforce participation complicates dual-career relocations. Economic clustering and regional wage similarities further reduce moving incentives. Personal stories, like Sharonda Ware’s relocation to Huntsville, illustrate the complexities of modern job migration. The conversation reveals a significant shift in traditional job mobility patterns.
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The Homebody Era
- Americans are moving at around half the rate they were 30 years ago, creating a 'homebody' era.
- This decline reshapes labor mobility and regional job competition.
FBI Relocation Backlash
- The FBI told about 10 to 30 percent of its staff agreed to relocate to Huntsville after a D.C. town hall announcement.
- Many employees reacted angrily, resigned, or could not move due to family and custody constraints.
Career Clustering Reduces Moves
- Americans increasingly cluster by industry and education, reducing long-distance moves for jobs.
- Cities now concentrate college grads and sector-specific hubs like tech and engineering.