Where New Yorkers are Moving 2026

New York remains one of the most moved-from states in the country. In 2025, nearly 60% of all tracked interstate moves involving New York were outbound — making it one of the top three states people are leaving for the eighth consecutive year. And the pace heading into 2026 isn’t slowing down.

But the story has shifted. The pandemic-era stampede has cooled into something more calculated. New Yorkers aren’t fleeing — they’re planning. They’re comparing tax burdens, weighing remote work flexibility, and timing exits around lease cycles and equity positions. The destinations reflect that: some are choosing proximity over savings, while others are cashing out entirely for a different life.

Whether you’re considering a long distance move from NYC or just exploring your options, here’s where New Yorkers are actually moving in 2026 — and why.

1. South Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach

Florida remains the single most popular destination for New Yorkers leaving the city. Between 2018 and 2022, over 30,000 former New Yorkers relocated to South Florida alone, bringing an estimated $9.2 billion in income with them — according to a report from the Citizens Budget Commission. That pipeline hasn’t slowed.

Miami continues to attract high-income professionals — particularly from finance and tech — drawn by zero state income tax, a growing business infrastructure, and a lifestyle upgrade that doesn’t require giving up urban energy. Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach have quietly absorbed much of the spillover, especially among families and retirees looking for more space at a lower price point than Miami proper.

The draw is straightforward: a New Yorker paying 12%+ in combined state and city income tax can eliminate that overnight by establishing Florida residency. For someone earning $300,000, that’s roughly $36,000 a year back in their pocket — before factoring in lower housing costs.

Average moving cost from NYC to Miami: $3,500–$7,500 for a 1–2 bedroom apartment, depending on service level and timing. Delivery typically takes 3–5 days.

What to know before you go: Florida’s homeowner insurance costs have surged in recent years, and hurricane season adds a planning layer most New Yorkers aren’t used to. Factor that into your budget before assuming everything is cheaper.

2. Philadelphia: The New #1 for NYC Home Searchers

The biggest shift in 2025 migration data? Philadelphia officially unseated Miami as the top metro where New Yorkers are searching for homes, according to StreetEasy’s analysis of Zillow search data from 2024. About one in three New Yorkers considering buying a home was also looking outside the city — and Philly topped the outbound list.

It makes sense. Philadelphia offers what most other top destinations can’t: genuine affordability within a 90-minute Amtrak ride of Manhattan. With typical asking rent around $1,700 and a median home price near $256,000, Philly represents a dramatic cost reduction without the geographic and cultural disconnect of moving to Texas or the Carolinas.

For New Yorkers working hybrid schedules — in the office two or three days a week — Philadelphia has become the sweet spot. You keep your New York salary, skip the New York rent, and still make it to Midtown for meetings.

Average moving cost from NYC to Philadelphia: $1,800–$4,500 for a standard apartment move. Same-day delivery is common given the short distance.

What to know before you go: Philly’s housing market is heating up fast. Zillow named it one of the hottest markets of 2025, and competition among buyers has intensified — don’t assume you’ll walk into a deal.

3. New Jersey: The Close-Range Play

New Jersey is the second-most popular state for New Yorkers looking to relocate, and its share of out-of-city home searches from NYC residents increased by nearly 13% toward the end of 2025, according to Realtor.com data. Cities like Jersey City, Hoboken, Montclair, and Paterson are absorbing New Yorkers who want to cut costs without cutting ties.

The appeal is proximity. Many New Jersey transplants continue commuting into Manhattan — they’re trading a $3,500/month one-bedroom in Brooklyn for a $2,200/month two-bedroom in Jersey City, with a 20-minute PATH ride to their office. Paterson, further out, offers even steeper savings: rent runs roughly 40% lower than NYC, with groceries and dining costs down 10–25%.

Average moving cost from NYC to New Jersey: $800–$3,000 depending on distance and apartment size. Most moves are completed in a single day.

4. North Carolina: Charlotte & Raleigh

The Carolinas have topped national inbound migration charts for four consecutive years, and North Carolina cities are pulling a disproportionate share of former New Yorkers. Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham lead the way, offering strong job markets in tech, finance, and healthcare alongside housing costs that make Manhattan transplants do a double-take.

Charlotte has become a magnet for financial professionals — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and a growing number of fintech firms have operations there. The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) draws tech and biotech workers. Both metros offer a quality of life that’s hard to match at their price points: mild winters, growing food and arts scenes, and housing that’s roughly 60% cheaper than comparable NYC neighborhoods.

Average moving cost from NYC to Charlotte: $3,000–$7,000 for a 1–2 bedroom. Delivery window is typically 3–7 days.

5. Austin, Texas

Austin’s appeal to New Yorkers is concentrated in a specific demographic: young professionals and tech workers drawn by a creative culture, no state income tax, and a startup ecosystem that rivals much larger cities. The city has matured significantly since its pandemic-era boom, with infrastructure and housing supply starting to catch up with demand.

The savings are real: a two-bedroom apartment that would run $4,000+/month in Brooklyn rents for $1,800–$2,200 in Austin‘s central neighborhoods. Combined with zero state income tax, the financial math is compelling for high earners.

Average moving cost from NYC to Austin: $4,500–$9,000 for a 1–2 bedroom apartment. Cross-country delivery typically takes 7–14 days.

What to know before you go: Austin’s cost of living has risen sharply since 2020. It’s no longer the bargain it was three years ago, though it still represents significant savings compared to NYC.

6. Connecticut: Stamford, New Haven & Beyond

Connecticut continues to benefit from New Yorkers who want suburban space without losing Northeast proximity. Stamford and the Fairfield County corridor have long served as bedroom communities for Manhattan professionals, but the trend is expanding — New Haven, Bridgeport, and other mid-state cities are seeing increased interest from NYC transplants seeking even lower costs.

The state offers a middle ground: lower housing costs than New York (though not as dramatic as Southern destinations), excellent schools, and easy Metro-North access to Grand Central. For families with school-age children, Connecticut often wins on quality-of-life metrics even when the pure financial savings are modest compared to Florida or Texas.

Average moving cost from NYC to Connecticut: $1,200–$4,000 depending on distance and home size.

7. Los Angeles

The NYC-to-LA corridor has always been one of the highest-volume bicoastal routes, and it shows no signs of slowing. Los Angeles County is consistently the most popular long-distance destination for Brooklyn residents leaving the city, and ranks in the top three for Manhattanites as well, according to StreetEasy migration data.

The motivations are less about cost savings — Los Angeles isn’t cheap — and more about lifestyle: weather, space, access to entertainment and media industries, and a pace of life that feels genuinely different from New York. For creative professionals, the move often makes career sense as well.

Average moving cost from NYC to Los Angeles: $5,000–$12,000+ for a standard apartment. Cross-country delivery typically takes 10–21 days depending on service level.

8. Atlanta

Atlanta rounds out the top destinations with a combination of affordability, job growth, and cultural energy that appeals to a broad range of New Yorkers. The city’s entertainment, tech, and healthcare industries are expanding rapidly, and housing costs remain dramatically lower than NYC — a median home price roughly 65% less than Brooklyn’s.

Atlanta’s airport connectivity is another underrated draw: Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the country, making it easy to maintain business and personal connections in New York even after relocating.

Average moving cost from NYC to Atlanta: $3,000–$7,000 for a 1–2 bedroom. Delivery window is typically 3–7 days.

What’s Driving the NYC Exodus in 2026?

The reasons New Yorkers leave haven’t changed dramatically, but the weight of each factor has shifted.

Cost of living remains the #1 driver. Combined state and city income taxes exceeding 12%, median rents above $3,500, and a general cost structure that requires high incomes just to tread water. For dual-income households considering homeownership or starting families, the math increasingly doesn’t work. Census data shows New York State’s population grew by just 1,008 people in 2025 — effectively flat — as high costs continue to push domestic residents out faster than new arrivals replace them.

Remote and hybrid work has become permanent. What started as a pandemic experiment is now standard operating procedure for many industries. If you only need to be in Midtown three days a week, the calculus around where you live changes entirely — and that’s fueling moves to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Connecticut in particular.

The family formation trigger. NYC attracts young singles and loses families — this pattern shows up in census data every year. When the first child arrives, space requirements jump and the appeal of a 500-square-foot walk-up drops fast. Schools, yards, and square footage become the deciding factors.

Tax policy uncertainty. New York City’s political direction — including proposals for higher taxes on high earners — is accelerating the timeline for residents who were already considering a move. The wealth migration to Florida has been well-documented: Palm Beach County alone gained 20,000 former New Yorkers with an average per capita income of $190,000 between 2018 and 2022.

Planning Your Move from NYC

If you’re among the New Yorkers planning a relocation in 2026, here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Book Early for Peak Periods: NYC’s moving calendar peaks around lease turnover dates — particularly end of month and during summer. September and October are also heavy. Booking 4–6 weeks in advance locks in better availability and pricing for your long-distance move.

2. Understand Your Building’s Requirements: Most NYC buildings require a Certificate of Insurance (COI), elevator reservations, and specific move-out windows. Some co-ops and condos have additional rules. Your moving company should handle COI paperwork — if they can’t, that’s a red flag.

3. Get Binding Pricing: For long-distance moves, always request a binding flat-rate quote. Non-binding estimates can balloon on move day. A binding quote means the price you’re quoted is the price you pay — regardless of what happens during the move.

4. Choose Your Service Level: Expedited service offers faster delivery with fewer stops — ideal for tight timelines. Truck share (consolidated shipping) costs less but has a wider delivery window. Choose based on your priority: speed or savings.

Get a Free Quote for Your NYC Move

Whether you’re heading to a condo in Miami, a brownstone in Philly, or starting fresh in Austin, Poseidon Moving has the experience and infrastructure to handle your relocation from any of the five boroughs — including full-service packing, storage, and interstate delivery nationwide.