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Th e M Rep o RT | 49 O r i g i nat i O n s e r v i c i n g a na ly t i c s s e c O n da r y m a r k e t ANALYTICS the latest the census Bureau asks 'Why are you moving?' Thirty-six million people moved in 2012 and the Bureau knows why. a mong the 36 million people who moved between 2012 and 2013, a new study from the United States Census Bureau found that the most important reason to move was to find a new/better home or apart- ment. The study reported that 8 percent of respondents cited a desire for cheaper housing, while 5 percent said the most impor- tant reason for moving was to be closer to work or for an easier commute. The report, "Reason for Moving: 2012 to 2013," presents an in-depth look at reasons why people moved during the previous year. In total, 11.7 percent of surveyed participants moved in the year, with 48 percent of those who moved doing so for housing rea- sons instead of family or employ- ment. All told, 17.2 million gave a housing-related reason for moving. "We asked people to select the reason that contributed most to their decision to move. Picking one reason can be difficul,t as moves are often motivated by many different, and oftentimes competing, factors," said the report's author, David Ihrke, a demographer in the Census Bureau's Journey to Work and Migration Statistics Branch. "For instance, if one's primary reason for moving is to be closer to work or having an easier commute, they may have to sacrifice other preferences. This could include forgoing cheaper housing options or settling for a different neighborhood. If they mainly want cheaper housing, they may have to deal with a longer commute," Ihrke said. The report found that men were more likely to move for job-related reasons than women, while better-educated people were more likely to move for job-related reasons than those with lower levels of education. The census found that moves within the same county were typically for housing reasons, while intercounty moves were largely for job-related reasons.