
Mass business exodus myth: talent embraces New York City over Florida
Mass business exodus myth: talent embraces New York City over Florida
- Jamie Dimon highlighted the impact of high taxes in New York on business and talent retention.
- Despite some migration to Florida, New York remains a top choice for skilled professionals, particularly among those with elite education.
- The findings suggest that New York's workforce and real estate markets show resilience, challenging claims of a mass business exodus.
Story
In recent months, there has been ongoing discussion regarding the migration patterns of professionals from states with high taxes, such as New York, to lower-tax states like Florida and Texas. Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan, noted in his annual shareholder letter that while New York City has attractive features, its high corporate and income taxes could deter businesses and top talent. He referenced a trend that sees billionaires relocating to states with significantly lower taxes, citing examples of tech billionaires like Larry Page and Sergey Brin who have divested from California amidst new taxes. On the other hand, despite the concerns about an exodus from New York, a new white paper from the real estate firm JLL indicates that many skilled professionals are still choosing to migrate to Manhattan rather than Florida. JLL's research suggests that while overall migration numbers show slightly more individuals moving to Florida, there is a notable preference among high-skilled, early-career professionals for New York. The report highlights that New York is attracting ten percent more professionals from top schools than Florida, with a steady influx of approximately seventy professionals moving to New York for every one leaving for Florida. This aligns with increased real estate activity in Manhattan, with luxury home sales experiencing a significant rise, reflecting continued interest in the market. Furthermore, JLL posits that New York's attraction lies not only in its affluent market but also in the depth of its professional talent pool. This steady influx of new talent may incentivize companies to maintain their presence in New York, despite the challenges posed by high operating costs and taxes. In essence, while there may be valid concerns about the shifting business landscape due to tax pressures, the narrative of a mass exodus from New York appears to be overstated.