More SF Workers Pull Away While NYC Retains 'Center of Orbit' Role

Less people are migrating away from states that have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic—but the path to recovery for large coastal metros like New York City and San Francisco won’t be one-size-fits-all.

New York and California posted population decreases just 2.5% and 2.0% from May 2019 to May 2021, in what Placer.ai analysts call “a limited loss considering a wider narrative that suggested potentially major swings.” But at the same time, major metros like New York City and San Francisco have posted decreases month over month this year. And in San Francisco in particular, more residents decamped for cities like New York, Phoenix, Seattle and Austin than came from those areas.