Middle-Class Families Are Fleeing New York — 10 Places They’re Going (and How Much It Costs To Live There)
Written by
G. Brian Davis
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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A 2025 study by StreetEasy found that one in three New Yorkers is thinking about leaving. You don’t need to be an economist to understand why, with home prices averaging around $800,000 according to Zillow.
By analyzing their Zillow search patterns, StreetEasy identified the top 10 cities New Yorkers are moving. Here’s the top 10 countdown for where New Yorkers are fleeing to escape the high cost of living and taxes.
10. Houston
- Cost of Living Difference: 46.2% lower (per Numbeo)
- Average Home Price: $270,409
Jason Lee Villarreal of Sotheby’s International Realty put it succinctly: “In Houston, you can still buy a three- or four-bedroom home with a yard for under $400,000 in a good school district, with no state income tax and some of the lowest property taxes per square foot.”
Houston also offers plenty of culture and diversity. “We’ve got neighborhoods where you can get Vietnamese pho and a Mexican birria taco on the same block,” Villarreal noted. “And its economy is booming in healthcare, energy, aerospace, logistics, tech and engineering.”
9. Charlotte, NC
- Cost of Living Difference: 40.9% lower
- Average Home Price: $404,294
“Charlotte isn’t just a cheaper city, but rather a flourishing one,” noted Jonathan Ayala, founder of real estate media company Visual Grip. “It boasts an advanced financial market and developing healthcare and technology sectors, so families don’t need to make compromises in their careers.”
8. Los Angeles
- Cost of Living Difference: 27.2% lower
- Average Home Price: $970,969
While buying a home costs more in Los Angeles, rents actually cost 35.2% less than the Big Apple.
Don’t expect a massive savings in cost of living, but the vibe is certainly more mellow for anyone looking for a change of pace.
7. Orlando, FL
- Cost of Living Difference: 44.0% lower
- Average Home Price: $382,019
The winters are more hospitable and you’ll spend less than half as much to buy a home. Sure, you’ll have to wade through some tourists occasionally, but New Yorkers are no stranger to that.
6. Washington, DC
- Cost of Living Difference: 21.8% lower
- Average Home Price: $607,908
The nation’s capital isn’t cheap, but it does offer plenty of amenities. And that says nothing of the government-related work opportunities.
Home prices have dipped 3.5% over the past year, so patient bargain hunters may be able to find a motivated seller willing to take a lowball offer in exchange for a fast closing.
5. Tampa, FL
- Cost of Living Difference: 39.7% lower
- Average Home Price: $379,156
A large city with major league sports franchises, Tampa offers waterfront metropolitan living on a budget.
“We have beautiful weather year-round, no state income tax, and a strong sense of community,” explained Mariah Marvel, Realtor at REMAX Collective. “Tampa is also booming with job opportunities in tech, healthcare and finance. Most of all, people love the lifestyle here: the waterfront living, outdoor activities and family-friendly neighborhoods.”
4. Boston
- Cost of Living Difference: 17.3% lower
- Average Home Price: $793,819
Home prices in Boston clock in around the same as New York, but overall cost of living does offer a discount.
Boston offers another major New England city, with full amenities, without the franticness of the New York scene.
3. Atlanta
- Cost of Living Difference: 41.0% lower
- Average Home Price: $402,017
Another major city with better weather than both Boston and New York, Atlanta features just as many amenities — without the major price tag.
2. Miami
- Cost of Living Difference: 26.5% lower
- Average Home Price: $589,241
New Yorkers are no stranger to Miami. “We’ve seen a high number of New Yorkers arrive in Miami, especially since the pandemic,” observed Salim Chraibi, CEO at Bluenest Development. “The housing in South Florida is more economical for New Yorkers since their wages tend to be higher, but the impact of their arrival has driven housing costs up.”
Still, Miami offers a more relaxed pace, warm weather and all the advantages of a major metro area.
1. Philadelphia
- Cost of Living Difference: 39.2% lower
- Average Home Price: $233,095
New Yorkers’ dollars stretch pretty far in the City of Brotherly Love, where home prices average a small fraction of New York homes. Yet, it remains a major city in its own right, with full cultural amenities and sports franchises.
Philadelphia also sits less than a two-hour drive from New York, making it easy to pop up for a day periodically. Atlantic beach towns aren’t far, nor are the Poconos Mountains for hiking, biking and skiing. Philadelphians can also reach major cities like Baltimore and Washington within a couple hours.
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