Fact Check: High taxes in New York are a common reason for relocation.

Fact Check: "High taxes in New York are a common reason for relocation."

What We Know

High taxes in New York have been identified as a significant factor influencing residents' decisions to relocate. A Zogby poll conducted in March 2022 revealed that 39% of respondents were considering leaving New York, with high taxes cited as the primary reason by 36.7% of them. This sentiment was echoed across various demographic groups, including political affiliations, income levels, and age cohorts. Notably, only 7.7% of respondents attributed their desire to leave to weather conditions, countering claims that climate is a major factor in outmigration.

Furthermore, New York has experienced substantial population loss, with over 1.5 million residents leaving the state over the past decade, including more than 350,000 during the pandemic year leading up to July 2021. This trend aligns with a broader national pattern where individuals are moving from high-tax states to those with lower or no taxes, indicating a potential correlation between tax burdens and migration patterns.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that high taxes are a common reason for relocation from New York is robust. The Zogby poll is a credible source, as it surveyed a diverse group of 1,000 residents, providing a statistically significant snapshot of public sentiment regarding taxation and relocation. The poll's margin of error is +/- 3.2 percentage points, which is acceptable for such surveys.

However, some analyses suggest that while taxes are a factor, they may not be the sole reason for outmigration. For instance, a report from the Fiscal Policy Institute indicates that tax hikes do not significantly correlate with increased migration among high earners, suggesting that other factors, such as job opportunities and housing costs, also play critical roles in relocation decisions.

Additionally, a report by the Heritage Foundation supports the notion that states with high income and corporate taxes see more outmigration compared to those with lower taxes. This further reinforces the idea that tax policy is a significant consideration for residents contemplating relocation.

Despite these nuances, the overwhelming evidence from the Zogby poll and the patterns of migration observed in New York strongly supports the claim that high taxes are a primary motivator for residents looking to leave the state.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that high taxes in New York are a common reason for relocation is substantiated by credible polling data and migration trends. The Zogby poll clearly indicates that a significant portion of New Yorkers are considering leaving primarily due to high taxes, and this aligns with broader national trends of migration from high-tax to low-tax states. While other factors may also contribute to relocation decisions, the evidence strongly supports the assertion that high taxes are a leading cause.