Moving to New York statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to New York?

In 2023, 302,835 people moved to New York, while 481,544 moved out. This represents a net loss of 178,709 residents. Between 2020 and 2021, the state ranked second for the number of residents lost, behind only California.

New York has seen a massive population decline since 2020, in part due to remote workers looking for somewhere more affordable to live. Between 2020 and 2024, the state has lost 546,146 residents in total, nearly wiping out the gain of 629,066 residents between 2010 and 2020.

According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, New York ranked as the 50th most moved-to state.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in New York

According to sources and weighted factors, such as economy and quality of life, New York ranks as the 38th best U.S. state to move to in 2024. Emigration, combined with a lack of interest in moving to the state, can largely be attributed to the state’s restrictive laws and high cost of living. However, despite many of the state’s cities losing population in recent years, there are still popular move-in destinations.

Kiryas Joel village, for example, attracted 8,906 new residents between 2020 and 2023, marking a 27% increase in population. New Rochelle City and Harrison Village also attracted 4,006 and 2,565 new residents, respectively. Given that all of these towns are a short driving distance from New York City, their recent popularity is likely the result of the migrations out of urban areas caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The average monthly housing cost in NYC can be anywhere from $2,000 to over $3,500 per month, while the average monthly cost of housing in Kiryas Joel village is less than $1,500.

Albany, the capital of New York, is the only popular move-in destination outside of the NYC area. Albany’s metro area has seen a slight growth of 2.9% in recent years, avoiding the population decline faced by most of the state. Reasons cited include more affordable housing when compared to the southern portion of the state as well as the availability of jobs and universities.

The top five cities in New York that people moved to between 2020 and 2023 include the following:

Why do people move to New York?

The primary reason people move to New York is the job market, as there is a wide range of high-paying jobs available in the state. The average income in the state is $80,327, or 6.6% higher than the U.S. average of $75,358.

The largest industries in the state are education and health services, government, and trade, transportation, and utilities. Collectively, these industries employ nearly 54% of nonfarm workers. The fastest growing industries in the state are the education and health services and leisure and hospitality industries. Between July 2023 and July 2024, these industries grew by 5.3% and 4.6%, respectively.

New York housing statistics

With a median rental price of $1,580 and a median home sale price of $488,400, there is an affordability disparity for renters and homeowners in New York. The median homebuyer can expect to pay 16.2% more than the national median, while the median renter can expect to pay a price similar to the national median. Of course, these numbers may not accurately reflect NYC.

The state of New York also has the 12th highest property taxes in the country, with a rate of 1.4%. That’s more than double that of New Mexico, Mississippi or Tennessee. In 2021, the average property owner in Albany County paid $4,835 in annual property taxes, while the average property owner in Orange County — where the village of Kiryas Joel lies — paid $7,574.

Cost-of-living statistics in New York

With a cost-of-living index of 125.1, New York has the fourth-highest cost of living in the U.S. However, this can be somewhat misleading, as the cost of living in NYC and the Atlantic Coast is much higher than inland New York. Albany, for example, only has a cost-of-living index of 103.1.

In line with New York’s cost of living, the state also has higher-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $3.61, compared to the U.S. average of $3.26. Despite high prices, New York isn’t a particularly green state, ranking 45th on the national stage in 2024.

Partially making up for the high cost of living, New York’s median household income of $80,327 is slightly higher than the U.S. median of $75,358. The unemployment rate of 4.2% is also the same as the national unemployment rate.

The Empire State’s relatively high cost of living is attributed to high taxes, housing shortages and desirability. Rental vacancy in NYC dropped from 4.5% to 1.4% between 2017 and 2021, and housing prices have skyrocketed. These increasing prices have driven many residents and prospective movers away.

Who lives in New York?

As the fourth largest state in the country, New York had an estimated 19,571,216 residents as of 2023. This represents a population decline of 101,984 people when compared to 2022.

New York’s population is skewed female, accounting for 51.2% of the population. Conversely, 48.8% of residents are male. In 2023, nearly 9.6 million New York residents were male, and roughly 10 million were female.

The Empire State’s population averages older (40.1 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. However, residents are fairly equally spread across most age demographics, up to age 70. The most prominent age demographic in the state is those between 25 to 34 years old, accounting for almost 2.74 million residents, or just under 15% of the total population.

White Americans make up the largest share of New York residents at 68.5%, or over 13.4 million people. Hispanic Americans account for the second-largest share of New Yorkers (19.8%) followed by Black and Asian Americans at 17.7% and 9.7%, respectively.

Tips for moving to New York

Not sure how to start your move to New York? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Prepare for the cost of living

With the fourth-highest cost of living in the country, it’s important to prepare for your future expenses when moving to New York. Cities like NYC are particularly expensive, while the Albany, Rochester and Syracuse metro areas may offer more affordable options. Use resources like NY.gov to compare housing prices, property taxes and overall living expenses in your desired area before making a move.

2. Understand insurance requirements

From health insurance to car insurance, New York has unique and stringent laws you should be aware of. Residents are required to have both and may face financial and legal penalties without them. If you’re moving to the Empire State, it’s crucial to understand the options available to you, whether through your employer, the state marketplace or private insurance providers. Visit the New York State of Health website to learn about health insurance plans and subsidies.

3. Learn about the job market

With booming growth in the health care, education and hospitality industries, New York offers many high-paying job opportunities for prospective residents. If you’re looking for work, be sure to research the specific job market in the area you plan to move to. The New York State Department of Labor offers tools and resources for understanding job trends and available opportunities.

4. Expect unpredictable weather

Don’t like the weather in New York? Just wait five minutes. The state experiences a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year, from hot and humid summers to cold and snowy winters. We recommend investing in a diverse range of clothing, as well as snow tires and home heating systems. Don’t forget to keep an eye on local weather updates and prepare for seasonal changes in advance.

5. Research transportation options

Compared to other states, New York’s cities offer an impressive array of public transportation options. If you choose to live in an urban area, you’ll likely have access to subways, buses, commuter trains and more. In more rural areas, personal vehicles are still the norm. Visit the New York Department of Transportation website for more information.

6. Be aware of natural hazards

New York is prone to several natural hazards, including ice, snowstorms, hurricanes and flooding. Coastal areas are more affected by the latter, while inland areas are more likely to experience the former. Check resources like the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for preparedness tips.

7. Embrace the cultural diversity

With residents from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, New York offers a unique blend of history, arts, cuisine and community. From the bustling streets of New York City to the picturesque towns upstate, you can find diversity everywhere. Embrace it! And don’t forget to look into local museums, food festivals or traditions.

8. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to New York, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.