In a significant demographic shift, approximately 545,500 New Yorkers relocated to other states in 2022, with the majority choosing Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania as their new homes. This movement reflects a growing trend of migration due to factors such as the high cost of living and the flexibility of remote work options.
The exodus from New York represented a notable part of the 8.2 million Americans who moved across state lines last year, a 3.8% increase from 2021 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Florida was the top destination with 91,201 New Yorkers moving there, followed by New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Despite this outflow, New York experienced a net population loss of 244,000, even as the state saw more incoming residents in 2022 than any other year in the past decade.
The trend reflects broader motivations for Americans relocating in 2022, with many seeking to improve their quality of life, find more affordable living areas, or acquire bigger homes. A survey from Home Bay, a real estate brokerage, revealed that nearly a quarter of the respondents moved states primarily for a better quality of life. Meanwhile, states like Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, Mississippi, and South Dakota saw fewer than 500 New Yorkers relocating there, indicating clear preferences in the migration patterns.
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