Executive Summary
The desire to leave New York is strong and cuts across every demographic group measured in the survey. One-third of New Yorkers have considered leaving the state within the next five years, while another third know someone who is planning to leave. About one-third have not considered leaving.
Taxes and the cost of living are the two leading reasons cited overall by New Yorkers who have considered leaving or know someone who is planning to leave. They rank among the top concerns across demographic groups, although politics and government ranks second among Republicans and in Western New York, ahead of the cost of living in both groups.
The main variation is which of these two concerns ranks first. Taxes are the leading reason among men, Republicans, respondents with no party affiliation, and those ages 55–74. The cost of living ranks first among women, Democrats, and respondents ages 18–54. Among respondents ages 75 and older, taxes and the cost of living are tied for the top position.
Politics and government and housing affordability are also significant reasons for leaving New York. Dissatisfaction with politics and government is particularly pronounced among Republicans, while concerns about housing affordability are especially common among respondents ages 18–39.
Concerns about crime and safety rank fifth overall among the reasons for leaving New York and vary relatively little by party affiliation.
The reasons for leaving New York were drawn from 372 open-ended responses provided by people who plan to leave the state or know someone who does. A sample of 100 verbatim responses is included in this document.
Leaving New York
Intent to leave New York within the next five years cuts across every demographic group measured in the survey. One third of New Yorkers are planning to leave New York in the next five years, one third is not, and one third knows someone is planning to leave. This is broadly in line with results of Sienna 2023 poll[1] and Marist 2024 poll[2].
Age. Respondents ages 75 and older were the only demographic group in which the share who had not considered leaving exceeded the combined share who had considered leaving or knew someone planning to leave.
The opposite was true among respondents ages 40–54 and 55–64. In both groups, roughly three-quarters had either considered moving themselves or knew someone planning to leave, while only about one-quarter had not considered leaving and did not know anyone planning to do so.
Party affiliation. Nearly half of Republicans are planning to leave New York within the next five years, compared with 26 percent of Democrats and 31 percent of voters with no party affiliation. Across all partisan groups, however, fewer than half said they had not considered leaving and did not know anyone planning to do so.
Regional breakdown. In New York City one-third of respondents had personally considered moving within the next five years, and one-quarter knew someone planning to leave. In the Hudson Valley, 35.7 percent had considered leaving, while 36.4 percent knew someone planning to do so.
There is no meaningful variation by gender or income.
Reasons for Leaving
Taxes and the cost of living dominate the reasons respondents gave for leaving New York. Taxes accounted for 30.4 percent of substantive responses, while the cost of living accounted for 26.1 percent. Together, these two concerns accounted for 56.5 percent.
Politics and government ranked third, at 15.9 percent, bringing the top three categories’ combined share to 72.4 percent.
Other reasons were cited much less frequently. Housing affordability accounted for 6.7 percent of substantive responses, followed by crime and safety at 6.2 percent and retirement and family considerations at 5.6 percent. Weather and climate and infrastructure and quality of life each accounted for 2.7 percent, while jobs and the economy and other and unclear reasons each represented 1.9 percent.
Reasons for Leaving by Region
The leading reason for leaving New York varies sharply by region. Taxes dominate in Albany/Central New York and Western New York, accounting for 54.3 percent and 38.7 percent of responses, respectively.
The cost of living ranks first in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and on Long Island, accounting for 34.6 percent, 32.8 percent, and 37.5 percent of responses, respectively.
Crime and safety is cited most often in New York City, at 14.0 percent. Politics and government accounts for 30.6 percent of responses in Western New York, while housing affordability is most prominent in New York City and on Long Island, at 14.0 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively.
Reasons for Leaving by Political Party
Among Republicans, taxes are the leading reason for leaving, accounting for 38.3 percent of responses. Politics and government ranks second, at 25.8 percent, followed by the cost of living at 19.2 percent.
Among Democrats, the cost of living ranks first, at 33.3 percent, followed by taxes at 22.4 percent. Housing affordability is also cited more frequently by Democrats than by the other partisan groups, accounting for 9.7 percent of responses, while politics and government accounts for 8.5 percent.
Crime and safety varies relatively little by party, ranging from 4.6 percent among respondents with no party affiliation, another affiliation, or who were unsure to 7.5 percent among Republicans.
Respondents with no party affiliation, another affiliation, or who were unsure rank taxes first, at 34.5 percent, followed by the cost of living at 21.8 percent and politics and government at 16.1 percent. Retirement and family considerations account for 8.0 percent, the highest share among the three partisan categories.
Reasons for Leaving by Age
The leading reasons for leaving New York shift notably with age. The cost of living ranks first among respondents ages 18–39 and 40–54, accounting for 28.8 percent and 33.3 percent of responses, respectively.
Among respondents ages 55–64 and 65–74, taxes rank first, at 40.0 percent and 41.3 percent. Among those ages 75 and older, taxes and the cost of living are tied for the top position, at 33.3 percent each.
Housing affordability is most prominent among younger adults, accounting for 11.0 percent of responses from those ages 18–39 and declining to 3.7 percent among respondents ages 75 and older.
Reasons for Leaving by Gender
The leading reasons for leaving New York differ by gender. Taxes rank first among men, accounting for 40.2 percent of responses, compared with 22.2 percent among women.
Among women, the cost of living ranks first, at 28.6 percent, while housing affordability is cited far more often by women than men—10.8 percent compared with 1.8 percent.
Politics and government and crime and safety vary little by gender.
Each numbered entry below represents one individual response from the supplied survey table. Demographic information is shown first, followed by the respondent’s own words. Responses are reproduced verbatim, including original spelling, grammar, capitalization, and encoding artifacts. Profanity is censored.
1. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Property and income taxes are too high. Social welfare programs and supporting illegal immigrants is crushing this once beautiful state. Solar and wind energy projects are destroying the countryside with no beneficial upside compared to increasing natural gas development.”
2. Hudson Valley resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Taxes are way to high. When you retire you cannot afford to live in New York property Taxes are killing home owners. Putnam county. town of mahopac a 1000 square foot house the taxes are over 10.000 to 12.000 a year. And that is a very very small house . 2500 hundred sq house the taxes are close to 20.000 thousand dollars a year. That sick not on a retired city worker on half pay . Very sad”
3. Hudson Valley resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Taxes. Local tax on property for retirees and older (60+) people isn’t affordable. Moving South is cheaper than staying and downsizing and losing generational wealth.”
4. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes Way too high and these democrats are morons. Our tax money goes to Albany and we get screwed here in Long Island Enough with these lib loons running this state to the ground. It’s sad but getting worst every single day and year”
5. Long Island resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Everything is too high. Tax paying citizens gets nothing back. All NY help is poor. Some not even poor they live off the system and cheat. Working class gets nothing while paying everything.”
6. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Many in my family already moved. Hamlin is a good value but high property taxes and high income taxes push people away.”
7. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“I have considered moving out of NY because taxes are too high, living costs are too high, elected officials are too extreme, quality of life issues are declining”
8. Hudson Valley resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“The taxes are high. Tax money is not utilized on those who are dependent on the state fund. The politicians are too far left . Poorly run by a governor and AG is is more concerned with getting Trump and activists agenda. I am tired of hearing and witnessing unjust political banter.”
9. Western NY resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Taxes to high don’t get what you pay for. Politicians are corrupted by developers. Not enough good paying jobs.”
10. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“There’s too many people feeding off of the middle class tax money. People are using my tax money for drugs, and junk food. Why should I have to work and they don’t contribute nothing to New York. Places in red states don’t allow this”
11. NYC resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The taxes and cost of living are too high for middle income residents . Relief is only for low income that contribute little to taxes”
12. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Poorly ran state with highest taxes in the country. And NYC is the birthplace of the democratic socialists. Socialism only works until you run out of other people’s money. Tennessee, Florida and Texas are the places to be.”
13. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Extremely high taxes and ever-increasing cost of living … utilities (con ed electricity), rent and food prices all skyrocketing!”
14. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Your taxes are out of control. There is no law and order. Its becoming a welfare state. Its becoming unaffordable.”
15. Western NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Unsure
“Taxes to high. Retirement is impossible here. Politicians aLL OF THEN could care less about us they only care about self interests lining their pockets. And no, I am not a republican. Progressives are not the answer. All current politicians need to go and we need all new ones”
16. Hudson Valley resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“This town believes in expanding their pockets while draining mine”
17. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“We believe that we can get a better deal in an other state. We’re just thinking that we can go to another state where they have no taxes on income. The taxes on wages, for instance, city tax, county, and state taxes. Then federal tax , Social Security and what ever else they with want.”
18. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes too high, illegal immigrants out of control, gun laws horrible for LEGAL owners.”
19. Albany/Central NY resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes are way TOO high!!! Too many programs for those people who do not try to help themselves. Too many second, third or even fourth generation welfare recipients.”
20. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes/living expenses are to high. Soft on crime policies. Better quality of life elsewhere.”
21. Albany/Central NY resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“New Yorkers are taxed too much and our welfare. is so generous it encourages people that live off public Assistance to move to New York”
22. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“The higher taxes, the poor treatment to farmers, and all my tax money going downstate to the city instead to my own area!”
23. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes are too high, crime is out of control illegal are treated better than taxpayers”
24. Hudson Valley resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Too expensive to retire in NY taxes too high and don’t like so much tax money going to pay for social services. Also don’t like the political climate in NY.”
25. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“There are no rules being followed any longer. People just do what they want with no consequences”
26. Long Island resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“taxes are so fuckinh high just for them to charge us to use it. i have been back-and-forth for almost 2 years trying to gain access to a state park that we pay taxes for, yet I am being told I need a permit that lets me in year round, but isn’t sold year round. this is just the beginning of all the stupidity of these ******* taxes, it is fine that we pay so much, but I would like to see it reflected. There are potholes everywhere, we report them and nothing gets done. I don’t know why we changed from halogenic lights, to LED beams that **** up people’s sleep cycles. paying to park i understand, but it is ******* disgusting how we are giving it to private entities the profit. also, New York City is now communist obviously. Disgusting how we can’t have a free market regarding our homes, and most everything else. This is becoming not America anymore in regards to the city.”
27. Hudson Valley resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Too expensive. Salaries are far too low for living standards especially outside of the NYC five boroughs. Tired of seeing certain religious group taking over towns and neighborhood housing and resources while allowed to scam the welfare system, ruining infrastructure and stealing property.”
28. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Mostly because of the environment that I live in, it’s not safe anymore for my daughter neither for myself I am a city Carrier for the United States Post Service I have to work overtime to make ends meet so I’m never home with my daughter. The cost of living is very high. I’m 52 years old and cannot have a car here in New York because I can’t afford it. I’m a single parent. How can I survive here in New York? I don’t know that’s why I’m moving.”
29. Western NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Everything is so expensive for seniors trying to live on a fixed income. There are not enough tax breaks or help with lower income residents.”
30. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“It costs WAY too much to live in NY. NY is WAY too lax on crime. NY taxes the living **** out of the few people who actually pay tax and those people get NOTHING for it. NY is an absolute shithole.”
31. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The cost of living is too high I make 6 figures and I still live paycheck to paycheck.”
32. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Cost of living is outpacing income. Social services need to be cut to lower taxes. Food costs, property tax, auto insurance and energy bills have more than doubled in the past three years.”
33. NYC resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“It is expensive to live in New York, especially if you are living on a fix income. Between rent, and the cost of living, it is not feasible to remain in the city or state.”
34. Albany/Central NY resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“The governor sucks., taxes are too high to make a decent living, and it’s getting to expensive to live here for the amount of bull **** we put up with.”
35. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The cost of living feels worse and worse, and while there are impressive initiatives underway, it doesn’t feel like the folks who are in the middle spaces can manage.”
36. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Beautiful State but cant afford retirment since its to expensive to live in NY. Too high property taxes, energy, gas prices, insurance…etc”
37. Long Island resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The cost of living is too high compared to the benefits in this state (poor roads, too much traffic, mass transit isn’t great).”
38. Hudson Valley resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“It’s just too expensive to live here anymore. We are taxed to death . There is no quality of life anymore. We work to pay bills”
39. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“High cost of living, high taxes, the stress of the city, the terrible infrastructure and transportation. enormous housing costs that keep going up enormous food costs.”
40. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Cost of living is outpacing income. Social services need to be cut to lower taxes. Food costs, property tax, auto insurance and energy bills have more than doubled in the past three years.”
41. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Cost of living too high, roads poorly maintained, constant traffic any time of the day.”
42. Long Island resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation
“It is too expensive to live in this area, crowded during the summer, and all the roads are a mess. Also, our community is changing because there are no jobs around here during the winter. All the stores can’t afford to be open year-round, so they have to sell, and the only people who are buying are wealthy, and they made super fancy and impossible for the locals to afford. Also, the health insurance is our biggest problem; heat and electricity are too high, and I am feeling constantly depressed with our politicians. I feel like we don’t have a real leader who represents Americans’ ideas and values, and we are getting less value for our dollar.”
43. Albany/Central NY resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“It’s ridiculously expensive to live here and there are no advantages over other states to bring here. Clay looks like 95% of the south but costs 10x more with awful roads and high taxes that provide no value”
44. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“High taxes, stupid governors & majors. Abuse of power by both aforementioned. High prices for utilities, car, house insurance. Over populated, too much traffic with terrible infrastructure. Condos popping up everywhere taking all the wooded areas away. This used to be the suburbs. The sticks actually. Now it’s a cesspool. Leaving all that including the crime behind. The poor police what they have to deal with. I grew up here & used to love it. Not anymore. You have to be rich to live here.”
45. Hudson Valley resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Trump is destroying America. He only changes things tha first and foremost the president us inbenefit him personally. The president is giving away all of our money to other countries to gain personal profit. Why is the U.S. funding overseas wars and bankrupting our country. S.S. Is our right as we paid for it all the years we worked. Anyone who gets voted into government that is in league with Donald Trump is committing treason. We are the laughing stock of other countries having a a president with multiple Felony’s seated. Most importantly he’s been evading taxes for decades through loopholes which the ok n r middle class (now we’re poor) have to pay for in our taxes. Good American’s can’t afford to live in their own country and are being forced out. I don’t want to leave the U.S. I love my country. How ignorant is everyone not to understand they voted in a failed businessman to a venerated seat so he can get himself comfortably rich again on our time, money and power. He’s turned our country into his reality show and he and any of his cronies should be FIRED!!! Lastly, he’s just a racist criminal with no responsibility to who has been entrusted to serve. How can his January 6th insurrection have not been considered treasonous when he is NO an Ally of his own country? ENOUGH already before he puts us at war as his next feeble business transaction!”
46. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“As a Jew I fear for the life of my family under Momdummy and his DSA cronies and I refuse to give them my tax dollars so they can preach and spew hatred against the people that did so much to build this once great city. F em ill move to Florida.”
47. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“I will moving out of New York, I’m not planning on it, it will occur. Property taxes she to high, rent is to high, property is to high, income taxes are to high, to many regulations which make it difficult to do business in NY, bail reform is an utter failure and the victims as well as society suffers, my tax dollars are spent in such a way that does not reflect my values in the least, illegal immigration is out of control, child care for illegals is or will be funded by the working citizens, illegals are given priority over the actual citizens, the homeless are everywhere, the city literally, not metaphorically, stinks, there’s human feces in the subway system and the streets, people rob subway service every day, which is paid for by the working, paying citizens, the push net zero will drive the cost of utilities through the roof and overwhelm an under prepared system. Those are some if the reasons off the top of my head, in a nutshell, it’s a hellscape and the grip and support of socialism will be its death knell”
48. Western NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes to high and the Govern Kathy doesn’t do anything for the people in Buffalo. Hate to say it but have become a Republican. Democratic Party are a big part of my decision. After they let immigrants in to ruin my neighborhood. They are living better than me.”
49. Albany/Central NY resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Republican
“Because this state sucks. Caters to NYC only, with tone deaf leadship in regards to remaining part of the state. Literal corpses running the state without realizing their privilege of being able to live most their life on a $30,000 income, $20 grocery trips, and $5,000 houses. Corruption beyond believe, favoring abusers and criminals while leaving victims helpless and out to dry.”
50. Long Island resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxes in New York State are outrageous, traffic is getting worse, the roads are in poor condition and you can’t even go into the city because they are tearing it down brick by brick with the poor government there! New York is going downhill. The people who voted for all the socialism deserve what they get when they’re the only ones there.”
51. Western NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“NY State is a JOKE!! The intake of illegal immigrants into an already mismanaged state that cannot budget and extend money to its own taxpayers who maybe in need is criminal. The state is on a very bad path with the recent radical election wins in NYC. I am seriously considering leaving NY within the next 12 months. Hasn’t this state learned anything from California? Minnesota? Illinois? All states with rampant fraud by elected Democrats!!! The governors and state assembly’s are corrupt and incompetent!”
52. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Too expensive to live, no representation, and weather sucks. Go ement doesn’t care about the hard working people of NY, they just care about giving out thier free stuff to buy votes. Tax us to the max so someone else or they can have it. Nothing in this state benefits the hard working people just the freeloaders. Also releasing criminals back on the streets to do something worse. The NY government cares more for the illegal immigrants and criminals than the everyday people. I have nothing against immigrants, come here on visas and other legal ways and pay your way. Don’t make me pay for you.”
53. Long Island resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Unsure
“New laws and taxes. Our state is run by communists. Americans do not get a fair say in how our government is run. It’s only the big cities that get their say but we who work have to pay for their silly laws”
54. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“High taxes, being made to go with electric school busses which dont do well in ny weather and awful to put our kids at risk like that. And to make everything electric and not be able to have choice. And because public schools here force LGBT on kids and because upstate new Yorkers have to foot the bill to bail out new york city and their liberal agendas and bad spending. I could go on…”
55. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Corporate democrats are fascist collaborators. This country is only free for the ultra wealthy. Our representatives are taking money from the same evil billionaires that want Trump in power.”
56. Western NY resident, age 75+
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Don’t like the politics here don’t like the politics here Don’t like politics here the Democrats are on everything too many regulations, and especially the fact that everything’s turned in electric we can’t keep the electric on now. People are gonna die and freeze to death, but the Democrats only care about the donors such as George Soros and what they want. There’s no respect for the police. They care more about a legal immigrants than they do the United States citizens. My grandson‘s disabled born that way and he can’t get any kind of help. It’s like I need on a haystack. They spent too much time trying to do Trump in and try instead of trying to help the People.”
57. Western NY resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | Republican
“To many immigrants, governor Kathy hocus, taxes to high, to much emphasis on NYC and not enough on upstate southern tier ny…”
58. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“High tax burden combined with an out of control housing market. Raise the age and discovery laws combined with a lack of support for law enforcement emboldening criminals-worse criminal juveniles while NYS government gaslights the public. Social programs and entitlements coming before those paying for them. Socialist and even outright communist politicians being welcomed and an outright disrespect for our country across the whole of NYS government.”
59. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Did not vote
“Too expensive. Corrupt politicians taking payments from aipac, etc. We do not have a say, we never did, ya just say cute things and do little things to make us feel like change is coming. Unfortunately this is not a country and nyc being the most popular city in this corporation “country” every working person is milked to death. I just hope these new leaders do the right thing but ofc money speaks louder to them.”
60. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Because living in Ny suck, we are definitely planning on move asap. the taxes suck the cost of living keeps going up and the crime is out of control and our governor is corrupt and awful she the problem why everyone is leaving and they won’t stop . Fire her now”
61. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Waste of tax dollars and stupid regulations messed up criminal justice system corruption by government too high taxes. Terrible school systems sanctuary policies”
62. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Because Albany cares more about illegal immigrants than they do disabled veterans when we’re the ones that fought to give people the rights they have today”
63. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Mamdani is bad for NY .. he will drive out all capital and we will have a pre Julianni NY again. Poverty and crime .. sad”
64. Western NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“I’m sickened by the way handouts are given to people who can and don’t work. Families have turned it into a lifestyle. It should be assistance not a way of life. Help to get them on their feet. NYS rules only help the rich in NYC and the lazy upstate.”
65. NYC resident, age 75+
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Because our money is being wasted by corrupt politicians with their hands out, while we have a socialist mayor who belongs to a cult sworn to kill all infidels to the Muslim faith, and a governor who lets criminals out of jail with no bail and continues taxing everyone in multiple ways.”
66. Long Island resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Taxation without representation. Perverts and mental cases are enabled. Socialist Communists are taking over with Muslim America haters”
67. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“How about we stop wasting tax payer dollars on welfare scammers and help actual working people”
68. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Most people who I know who are leaving are doing so because of the political direction towards socialism and sanctuary policies.”
69. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Male | Other | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“NY is totally corrupt and irrevocably broken. Great job with billions in waste, fraud, and abuse.”
70. Hudson Valley resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Because our governor is a liberal **** . And I hope she **** a horrible *****.”
71. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Yes, I am going to split my time between Atlanta and New York because my son who lives in Atlanta is unable to afford remaining in New York housing prices are too expensive. Good schools for his child is too expensive and so I will be moving out of New York in the next five years.”
72. Albany/Central NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“It’s very hard to compete with the taxes and price of housing. NYC and other downstate incomes eclipse the money that can be made here in upstate NY which is driving the housing prices and land prices to incredible levels which also seems to increase taxes accordingly.”
73. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Affordability, home ownership is impossible here for middle class people. Concerns about the public school system and lack of green space.”
74. Long Island resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Housing is unaffordable and people have difficulty with living just week to week. They are overwhelmed working two jobs just to keep up.”
75. Long Island resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Too expensive to live here. Rent is too high for young adults just starting out in the workforce, salaries do not match affordability of housing.”
76. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Other
“NY has become unbearable for single people to survive..housing and apartments are ridiculous in upstate..almost impossible to find a place to live for one person under $1100 to 1500 including nothing. No one as a single person can afford on the income from one job. Electricity is unbelievable as is food. It’s a real fight for survival. I am 59 years old and can’t afford to live alone in NY …staying with family is my only option. None of us can afford to stay in NY…sad..and just a struggle to survive. I did better in my 20’s and 30’s then in my senior years. I am a native New Yorker and I am ready to pack and leave for better housing prices and less taxes. Really sad..”
77. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The cost of living in the city is expensive they are looking at out of state options for cheaper housing”
78. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“My husband and I make almost $200,000 combined and still can’t purchase a house”
79. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Cost of living. Too expensive to buy a house. Segregated education system”
80. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat
“I can’t afford a house in NYC, so I would consider somewhere upstate, Long Island, NJ, or Connecticut and commute into NYC.”
81. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Other | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“New York is very expensive and there is no end to price gouging by landlords. I make a decent salary yet my entire paycheck still goes to rent, so that I can live within 30 minutes of my office. I can’t move farther because I’m at work until 6 and it would leave my no time in the evenings to take care of my family.”
82. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“It’s become an unsafe state to live, it’s very expensive. The radical liberalism and communists are taking over. The antisemitism, anti-Christian, and anti-Americanism of the public servants and mainstream media it’s frightening.”
83. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“I can’t survive here. Everything is too high and the places to live are scarce and there are no resources for people that are not homeless but they are struggling to survive. The crime is ridiculous and the elected officials don’t really care about us.”
84. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Crime is high, rampant corruption, fraudulent elections, lack of representation, illegal immigrants, cost of housing, driving, etc. Many many reasons but crime is not prosecuted is among the top reasons.”
85. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“The only reason why I have not move is because my mother is elderly and she doesn’t want to move. It’s expensive, drug addicted, crime on bus and train. I have lived in Bronx, NY since I was 11 years old. Mentally I am unable to travel on buses are trains. Drugs addicts are all over my neighborhood. I work and most of the money I make goes to taxes.”
86. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Too expensive. The city is unsafe. The city officials don’t allow officers to do their jobs properly. They have become way too liberal and it is destroying the city”
87. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Too expensive, no protections against criminals, slap on the wrist ultimately means lots of repeat offending”
88. NYC resident, age 65–74
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“Mamdani. I’m Jewish and I feel unsafe. I’ve seen him unleash the office of mass engagement on dynagogues”
89. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“There seems to be a lawless state. Criminals are given many a chances to recommit offenses. The public safety of just a regular tax paying member is always so uncertain. Subway attacks and transportation is unsafe and driving one own vehicle is a nightmare overall safety of the state especially in the city is something politicians are willing to gamble with and I have to protect myself and my family perhaps moving out the state is best.”
90. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“The cost of living, the subways are unreliable but you can’t have a car as there’s no parking and insurance is extremely expensive in nyc. The amount of homeless/mentally ill people out in the street, the sidewalks and streets are never clean or even close to being walked on as a lot is broken but no one to fix them. The city is constantly digging up the streets for construction but never finishing so more dust and pollution. Taxes are too high and there’s a disconnect and perhaps even discrimination for certain neighborhoods. Police focusing on giving out tickets but in the meantime cars are getting broken into daily and they just shrug their shoulders. Public Schools are different in every district with the rich neighborhoods get sufficient funding and good teachers etc while the rest can’t afford the basics. NYC put in new tolls that are extremely expensive but than there’s no difference in the Mta service in fact it’s worse! The constant putting up shelters and low income Houing in the Bronx instead of utilizing space in the upper east side or midtown! The traffic when there’s a game even if you live in the area you can’t get through with having to drive an additional 45 min to get home instead of the usual 10. The anti semitisim feeling in nyc has completely gone downhill and the fact that the city wants to open supermarkets instead of helping out the current ones and don’t even know how to even run one with all experts and past experiments in other states showing that it doesn’t work.”
91. NYC resident, age 40–54
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“My neighborhood is bad, I don’t like my neighbors, our NYC Schools don’t give equitable education. The special education system consistently leaves special needs children in inappropriate placement settings. My taxes are too high and I get nothing in return but expected to fund all of the gimmie pig generational welfare recipients. The cost of living is egregious. Staten Island pays more taxes per capita yet gets nothing. I’d rather not be part of the 5 Boroughs if I were to stay in NY. I hope Staten Island separates”
92. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“Daily life is more difficult and more expensive to live. Metro is more expensive yet running terribly. Streets are always littered with garbage and homelessness is ramped.”
93. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“NYC is getting to expensive and it feels like no matter how much taxes you pay you are still getting screwed in high car insurance fees,congestion prices, and not to mention the lack of parking anywhere combined with alternate side parking 4 days out of the week.”
94. NYC resident, age 18–39
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“New York is not very affordable for families me the current administration is helping with this which gives me hope however there are some big challenges with making NYC more family friendly. We need more well funded third places for kids to safely exist. We need more boys and girls clubs and free sports programs it’s designated fields within the borough”
95. Hudson Valley resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | No Party Affiliation | In 2024 voted for Another candidate
“Me and my husband retired. We were not government employees, so we can’t afford New York state on social security”
96. NYC resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“I am retiring soon and planning to move back to the state I grew up in to be close to and assist my elderly mother and aunts and uncles”
97. Albany/Central NY resident, age 55–64
Profile: Female | Democrat | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“For a change of scenery and to lesson the impact of winter weather and lake effect snow. We are not originally from here (LI born) so we are looking for a change for our retirement years.”
98. Western NY resident, age 40–54
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Kamala Harris
“Weather and increased cost of energy despite more solar panels going up and more wind mills. You ruining nature and allowing the electric company to have a monopoly”
99. NYC resident, age 65–74
Profile: Female | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“There is a need for stricter laws and penalties. You get a slap in the wrist and out the door. There needs to be enforcement. The mayor should enforce laws. I’ve seen many people go through turnstile, jump over them or crawl underneath and the security guard says nothing. I’ve even filmed them. Yet I have to pay with my reduced fair ! The mayor says a lot but does nothing !”
100. Western NY resident, age 18–39
Profile: Male | Republican | In 2024 voted for Donald Trump
“The political climate is actively harmful to my way of life. The taxes are too high with nothing to show for it. Housing is way too expensive and generally quality of life is worse than it was even a couple years ago.”
[1] Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute, March 6 – 9, 2023 ICS0323-Crosstabs.pdf
[2] Life in New York State, Marist-Poll_NYS-NOS-and-Tables_Politics_202404121106.pdf
