"Brain Drain in the Big Apple: Study Reveals Alarming Exodus of Low- and Middle-Income New Yorkers. A new report from the Citizens' Budget Commission has sent shockwaves through the city, revealing that for the first time on record, New York City experienced a net loss of residents in 2025. According to the study, low- and middle-income New Yorkers were among the hardest hit, fleeing the city at a significantly higher rate than their wealthier counterparts. The findings raise concerns about the city's affordability crisis and its impact on the social and economic fabric of the community."
New York City lost more residents than it gained in 2025, with low- and middle-income New Yorkers leaving at higher rates, a Citizens' Budget Commission study found.
