More people move
from New York City than move in, resulting in a net population loss of over 177,000 residents in 2022, primarily driven by high costs and housing shortages. While hundreds of thousands move to the city annually, the number of people leaving—often for New Jersey, Connecticut, or Florida—has exceeded arrivals since the pandemic, causing a sustained net negative domestic migration.
Key Trends:
- Net Loss: New York State and City consistently rank among the top in the U.S. for residents moving out compared to moving in.
- Net Outmigration: In 2022, roughly 352,100 people left NYC, with only 174,400 moving in.
- Destinations: A significant portion of those leaving relocate within the tri-state area (NJ/CT) or to Florida.
- Factors: Top reasons for moving include high living costs, housing shortages, and the flexibility of remote work.
- Recovery: While population outflows have slowed compared to the height of the pandemic, the city’s population continues to trend lower.