The Myth of the Mass Exodus

There’s a familiar narrative: Manhattan’s decline is inevitable as leading firms chase talent to “Wall Street South” and other low-tax, business-friendly markets. While it’s true that New York has seen more people move to Florida at the total-population level, that’s only part of the story. Elite firms aren’t competing for the masses—they’re competing for the highest-value talent.

Surface-level migration data misses the real dynamics shaping New York’s future. Our analysis leverages LinkedIn migration data to track actual job-to-job moves over the past year, segmented by education, industry, university pedigree, and career stage. As the lens sharpens, Manhattan’s competitive edge becomes clear.

Download the report to discover why New York continues to win where it matters most: attracting and retaining the world’s top talent.