RelocateMath
New York relocation guide

Where to move from New York

On an $85,000 salary (about the New York median household income) you keep $64,267 after 2026 taxes. 46 states have lower overall prices, and the biggest gain in buying power (+30.0%) comes from moving to South Dakota.

By Data reviewed Data: IRS, Census ACS, BEA (methodology)

State income tax on $85,000
$3,993
2026 rules, single filer
Price level (U.S. = 100)
107.9
BEA 2024
Net movers, 2022–2023
-71,987
households to/from other states

Buying power by destination

Change in after-tax, price-adjusted pay if you move from New York on $85,000Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau

Every state ranked for someone leaving New York

The ranking starts at about New York's median household income. Enter your own salary and filing status to re-rank every state for you.

At a salary of $85,000, filing single, the biggest gain in buying power (+30.0%) comes from moving to South Dakota.

Every state ranked by the change in buying power for someone leaving New York. Single filer, $85,000 W-2 salary.
Move toBuying powerTake-home changeRent / moEqual salary
South Dakota+30.0%+$4,360$999$63,000
North Dakota+28.7%+$3,962$980$63,300
Mississippi+27.3%+$1,692$990$64,100
Arkansas+27.2%+$1,580$982$64,200
Louisiana+26.5%+$2,196$1,064$64,600
Iowa+26.3%+$1,782$981$64,600
Tennessee+25.4%+$4,360$1,284$65,400
Oklahoma+25.0%+$1,081$1,044$65,400
Wyoming+24.3%+$4,360$998$66,000
Alabama+23.1%+$844$1,077$66,600
West Virginia+23.1%+$1,356$883$66,300
Kentucky+22.4%+$1,503$998$67,000
Nebraska+22.3%+$1,372$1,102$66,800
Missouri+21.4%+$1,372$1,067$67,400
Ohio+21.3%+$2,791$1,090$67,600
Kansas+20.5%+$417$1,079$68,000
New Mexico+19.8%+$1,526$1,117$68,400
Texas+18.7%+$4,360$1,475$69,700
North Carolina+17.1%+$1,477$1,338$70,600
South Carolina+17.0%+$1,040$1,272$70,100
Indiana+16.5%+$496$1,104$71,000
Wisconsin+16.1%+$823$1,142$71,000
Montana+15.7%+$919$1,177$71,300
Nevada+15.2%+$4,360$1,709$72,100
Idaho+14.7%+$963$1,384$72,200
Michigan+13.9%+$998$1,168$72,900
Georgia+13.6%+$867$1,506$73,100
Pennsylvania+13.5%+$1,691$1,252$73,400
Vermont+12.2%+$1,210$1,319$73,900
Alaska+12.1%+$4,089$1,444$74,500
Arizona+11.5%+$2,638$1,672$74,800
Florida+11.4%+$4,360$1,812$75,000
Maine+11.0%-$125$1,210$74,900
New Hampshire+10.6%+$4,360$1,558$75,700
Utah+10.2%+$675$1,593$75,700
Minnesota+9.0%-$270$1,291$76,700
Illinois+8.4%+$297$1,322$77,400
Delaware+7.7%-$249$1,530$77,800
Virginia+7.2%+$287$1,646$78,300
Rhode Island+6.9%+$855$1,418$78,600
Colorado+6.2%+$955$1,822$79,200
Washington+5.8%+$3,181$1,824$79,600
Connecticut+3.9%-$140$1,550$81,200
Massachusetts+1.9%-$61$1,848$83,200
Oregon+1.0%-$2,070$1,597$84,000
New Jersey+0.1%+$588$1,800$84,900
Maryland0.0%-$1,746$1,721$85,000
Washington, DC-1.7%+$104$1,931$86,800
Hawaii-3.0%-$686$1,942$88,100
California-3.1%-$405$2,104$88,500

Single filer, $85,000 W-2 salary. "Buying power" is after-tax pay adjusted for regional prices, and "Equal salary" is the pay that keeps it the same (see how to work out the salary you need). Weighing a state with no income tax? See what you really save.

Not sure where to go? Take the where-should-I-move quiz to match states to your budget and priorities, or read how to choose a city to move to.

Where New York residents actually move

Leaving New York for… (households)
New Jersey43,699
Florida43,187
Pennsylvania20,643
California18,440
Connecticut15,535
North Carolina13,811
Texas12,961
Massachusetts10,479
Moving to New York from… (households)
New Jersey26,793
Florida22,011
California20,595
Pennsylvania14,412
Massachusetts11,027
Connecticut10,486
Texas9,433
North Carolina6,906
Net households gained (+) or lost (−) by New York, by IRS tax year
Net loss
2018–19-73,837
2019–20-130,622
2020–21-142,109
2021–22-108,586
2022–23-71,987

New York lost households to other states in every one of the last five IRS years.

IRS Statistics of Income migration data, 2022–2023. See national migration.

Everyday costs in New York

Average electric bill
$140/mo
Regular gas
$4.49/gal
Insure + fuel one car
$3,909/yr
Health plan, age 40
$817/mo
Natural hazard risk
Among the highest (91.5)
Property tax (effective)
1.45%

EIA 2024 bills, AAA gas, NAIC insurance + 12,000 miles of gas, KFF 2026 benchmark silver before subsidies, FEMA National Risk Index, Census ACS 2024.

Cities in New York

More about living in New York

Cost of living

Prices and the salary it takes to rent, buy, or live a typical lifestyle in New York.

Buying a home

Income needed and monthly cost of the median New York home.

Retiring in New York

How New York taxes Social Security, pensions and 401(k)s.

Moving to New York

Who moves here, what it costs, and the driver license and registration deadlines.

Moving costs

What it costs to move from New York to every other state.

Car shipping

What it costs to ship a car from New York to every state.

Disaster risk

FEMA risk for New York and every county.

Health insurance

2026 Marketplace premiums in New York by age.

Property tax by county

Effective rates for every New York county.

Frequently asked questions

Where do people from New York move?

The top destinations in IRS data for 2022–2023 were New Jersey (43,699 households), Florida (43,187 households), Pennsylvania (20,643 households).

Is New York gaining or losing residents to other states?

New York had a net loss of 71,987 households to other states in 2022–2023 (IRS).

Which state gives the most buying power if I leave New York?

On an $85,000 salary, South Dakota raises your after-tax, price-adjusted income the most (+30.0%).

Moving to New York instead?

The Moving to New York guide covers where newcomers come from, the cost of living and the first-month deadlines. Reports for the most common moves here are listed below; for any other move, use the calculator.

Most common moves to New York (16)

Back to top