New York ranks last in U.S. resident attraction study

A new study by Gourmet Gift Baskets has ranked New York last among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in its ability to attract new residents. The ranking is based on a “Mover Attraction Score,” which utilizes 2024 Census Bureau birthplace data and 2023 state-to-state moving statistics.

New York received a score of 10.8, while South Carolina ranked first with a score of 87.4. Other high-ranking states included Idaho and Arizona. The report analyzed net migration, comparing the number of people moving into a state versus those leaving, as well as overall moving activity.

Data indicates that New York's population has remained largely flat over the past year, and the state has seen a decrease of more than 200,000 residents since 2020. Nationally, the percentage of people living in their birth state has declined from 59.1 percent in 2010 to 56.8 percent in 2024.