Majority of New Yorkers Considered Moving Out of State

High taxes and living costs have prompted a significant portion of residents to plan for or contemplate relocation.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Residential

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stack of cardboard moving boxes with a brass key, representing the lifestyle trend of residents relocating from New York. — A majority of New York state residents are contemplating relocation, with 63% of survey respondents citing high tax burdens and rising costs of living. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you feel the cost of living in your current state is becoming unsustainable for you?

A survey of 600 New York state residents found that 63% are considering leaving the state or know someone who is. This trend follows a year in which New York City saw a population loss of 114,000 residents in 2025.

Why it matters

Residents identified high tax burdens and the cost of living as primary drivers for their potential relocation. The state collects $13,000 per capita in state and local taxes, compared to $9,000 in California, influencing long-term household financial planning.

Thirty-three percent of survey participants are personally considering leaving New York, while another 30% report knowing others who are. These figures reflect an ongoing population shift that saw New York City lose 114,000 residents in 2025.

The players

Empire Center for Public Policy

A nonpartisan think tank that tracks public policy and state fiscal data.

The details

The survey identified taxes and cost of living as the two leading motivations for potential migration, cited by 30% and 25% of respondents respectively. Other factors influencing residency decisions include local politics, public safety, and housing affordability. These pressures place financial strain on household budgets, driving residents to evaluate the tax-to-service value proposition across different regions.

2025: New York City lost 114,000 residents.
September 2026: Empire Center survey results were published.

Money Landscape

The survey findings correlate with a broader pattern of residency changes, marked by the loss of 114,000 New York City residents in 2025. This indicates a sustained period of migration that places these residency trends against the backdrop of significant state and local tax disparities.

Residents weighing a move should conduct a full assessment of their household tax liability and cost of living in potential new states versus New York. Before making any lifestyle changes, discuss the long-term financial implications of relocation with a qualified financial professional.

The takeaway

The desire to move is largely tied to tax burdens and the cost of living compared to other states. If you are considering a move, review your current tax filings and long-term budget to understand how a shift in residency would impact your net annual household income.