Why are so many people leaving New York City?

"Big Apple Loses Luster: New Study Reveals Population Decline in NYC. After two consecutive years of growth, New York City has taken an unexpected turn, with a new study from the Citizens Budget Commission revealing a decline in population for the first time in 2025. The study points to two major factors driving this shift: a significant decline in young professionals and families moving to the city, and a growing trend of long-time residents leaving due to rising costs of living and housing unaffordability. As the city's economy and infrastructure continue to evolve, experts are left wondering what this population decline means for the future of the nation's largest metropolis."

New York City saw a population decline in 2025 after two years of solid growth, according to a new study from the Citizens Budget Commission. It’s a symptom of two major changes: a dramatic decline in ...