A Growing Number of New Yorkers Are Packing Up and Leaving—Here’s Where They’re Moving Instead

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New York City has long been known for its energy, opportunity, and fast-paced lifestyle, but for many residents, the rising cost of living is becoming harder to manage. A new report suggests that more people are deciding it’s no longer worth the financial strain.

According to a recent analysis from the Citizens’ Budget Commission, more New Yorkers moved out of the city than moved in last year, continuing a trend that’s reshaping the city’s population. Local reporting from PIX11 also highlighted the shift, noting that after a brief period of growth, the city’s population declined again in 2025.

A Shift After Years of Growth

After two years of population gains, New York City saw a reversal. The decline appears to be driven by two key factors: a sharp drop in international migration and a steady outflow of residents to other parts of the country.

In 2025 alone, the city lost about 114,000 more residents to other U.S. locations than it gained. While that’s not as dramatic as the losses seen during the height of the pandemic, it still signals that the broader trend hasn’t fully stabilized.

Related: 14 Things People Are Skipping at the Grocery Store Because Prices Are Too High

Who’s Actually Leaving

The data shows that the people leaving aren’t all from one group, but some patterns stand out.

Lower- and middle-income residents are leaving at higher rates than wealthier households. Between 2023 and 2024, more people in the bottom 40% of income levels left the city compared to those in the top 40%.

At the same time, those who move out tend to earn more than those moving in, suggesting a gradual shift in the city’s economic makeup.

Millennials are among the groups leaving most frequently, and the report also found that Hispanic residents are departing at faster rates compared to other demographic groups.

Related: California Dominates List of America’s Healthiest Cities—Here’s the Pattern Experts Noticed

Why People Are Leaving

Affordability is a major factor behind the trend. The Citizens’ Budget Commission report points to high housing costs, taxes, and concerns about public services such as schools as potential drivers of the ongoing outflow.

These pressures are especially noticeable for working- and middle-class residents, who may find it harder to keep up with rising expenses while maintaining their quality of life.

The issue has also become part of a broader political conversation, with debates around taxes and whether higher-income residents could begin leaving in larger numbers.

Where New Yorkers Are Going

Despite the idea that people are leaving the region entirely, many aren’t going far.

A large share of those who leave New York City relocate to nearby areas like Long Island and New Jersey, places that still offer access to the city but with slightly different cost structures or living conditions.

For those who do move farther away, states like Florida, Texas, and California are among the most common destinations.

Related: States Where Young Adults Are Most Likely to Live at Home — California and New Jersey Top the List

Not a Simple Tradeoff

While moving can offer financial relief, it’s not always a clear-cut decision.

New York City still holds strong appeal, especially for its career opportunities, culture, and lifestyle. And despite the challenges, the number of millionaires in the city has grown significantly over the past decade, even as the city has become less effective at attracting new high-income residents.

That contrast highlights the complexity of the situation: while some people are leaving in search of affordability, others remain for what the city offers.