Gen Z Migrates from High-Cost Cities to More Affordable Urban Centers, Redfin Analysis Reveals
A significant trend of Gen Z individuals moving from expensive metropolitan areas, particularly New York City, to more affordable cities like Philadelphia has been identified in a new Redfin analysis of Census Bureau data. New York City experienced the largest net outflow of Gen Z residents in 2024, with 29,554 young adults leaving. The New York-to-Philadelphia route was the second most popular migration path for Gen Z, with 9,284 individuals making the 90-mile shift. This move offers a substantial housing discount, as the typical home in the New York metro area sells for approximately $832,000, compared to $309,000 in Philadelphia. This allows buyers in Philadelphia to potentially purchase nearly three homes for the price of one in New York. The data suggests that Gen Z is prioritizing economic opportunity and lower housing costs, often making relatively short moves to stay connected to existing networks.
