"Brain Drain Hits the Big Apple: NYC Experiences Net Loss of Residents for the First Time in Decades. A new study by the Citizens' Budget Commission reveals a shocking trend: for the first time in nearly four decades, New York City has experienced a net loss of residents. The research shows that low- and middle-income New Yorkers are fleeing the city at the highest rates, sparking concerns about the future of the city's economic and social fabric. As the city struggles to recover from the pandemic, the exodus of its most vulnerable populations raises questions about the affordability and livability of the city that was once a beacon for opportunity and diversity."
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.
