Top US Cities Americans Are Leaving

Major Industries: High tech and manufacturing
Total Population in 2020: 2,151,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.09%*

Portland @TFoxFoto / Shutterstock

What once was on the list of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S., the city of Portland is now seeing its growth rate drop almost to zero. Once hailed as a hipster’s paradise, with athletes drawn to the lush green city because of nearby Nike headquarters, Portland has fallen on hard times. One reason being that Portland’s property taxes have been steadily rising, and many starving artists who once flocked to the city are now being priced out. 

In addition to the cost of living increasing, the actual amount of homes in Portland, Oregon is decreasing. The average rental cost is $1,522 a month, which is way higher than almost anywhere else in America. Additionally, plans for apartment complex developments have stalled, leading to a shortage in places to rent and own. 

The crime rate in Portland has also been cited as a major reason why people aren’t staying in the bohemian city. There have been increased rates of burglaries happening throughout the Portland metro area, as well as an increase in its homeless population, which has resulted in homeless camps in almost every major neighborhood.

Major Industries: High tech and tourism
Total Population in 2020: 3,314,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.72%*

San Francisco @ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock

Home to tech giants Apple, Google, and Salesforce to name a few, the Golden Gate Bridge city is iconic for its hippie counterculture of the 60s and tech culture of today. Being the most expensive place to live in the country, accessible only to the wealthy tech elite, it follows that the city has seen a decrease in population over the recent years. 

There is a complete lack of affordable housing for many middle-class residents which has driven many out of this beautiful but exceptionally costly city. Besides a significantly high cost of living forcing people further out of the Bay Area, there has been a drop in the birth rate which has further compounded the slowing of the city’s growth. 

Additionally, homelessness remains a huge problem in San Francisco, one which has gotten worse over time.  The city counted 7,500 homeless in 2017, with 66% of them dealing with serious mental and physical health issues.

Major Industries: Tech and manufacturing
Total Population in 2020: 3,433,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 2.1%*

Seattle @moderndest / Shutterstock

Like many of the other major metropolitan cities on this list, Seattle has a high cost of living and lacks affordable housing options for many of its residents. Although Seattle has been previously ranked as one of the fastest-growing cities in America, the pace of growth has come way down recently. 

Seattle is home to some of the “Big 5” tech giants including Microsoft and Amazon, but even this isn’t enough of a draw anymore to keep young professionals flocking to the rainy city. As Amazon continues to expand elsewhere, opening a second headquarters in Virginia, Seattle’s future looks bleaker and bleaker. 

Homelessness has been a huge problem in Seattle ever since Hooverville was erected during the Great Depression. This shanty town housed thousands of male residents with very few children and absolutely no women. Though Hooverville has since disbanded and a century has passed, the problem of homelessness has definitely not.  

Major Industries: Financial services and health care
Total Population in 2020: 18,804,000*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.01%*

New York City @Nielskliim / Shutterstock

New York is one of the most iconic cities in the world, known for its melting pot of cultures, endless energy, and Wall Street. Even so, the city full of financial giants like JP Morgan has been seeing its population take a nosedive in recent years. While the concrete jungle has always been a symbol of hope, a lot of New Yorkers are realizing that the New York version of the American Dream is harder and harder to come by these days.  

One issue that has impacted demographics is New York’s rise in crime. While the data suggests that violent crimes may be in decline, the city’s reputation for late-night muggings cannot be shaken, and may be a deterrent to new (and veteran) residents. 

Many people are moving out of the city to increase their standard of living by getting more for their money elsewhere. New York is known for sky-high rent and enormous taxes, so people are leaving to find more suitable housing options in less densely populated areas. 

Major Industries: Manufacturing and food processing
Total Population in 2020: 8,865,000*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.6%*

Chicago @ezellhphotography / Shutterstock

If you want deep-dish pizza and delicious hot dogs, the Windy City is the place to be. Home to the Chicago Cubs and the iconic silver Bean statue, as well as the headquarters to major companies from Boeing to McDonald’s, the third-largest city in America can compete with cities on either coast any day. But despite the attractions, Chicago has been losing residents for years now, shrinking by the thousands on a yearly basis. 

IRS data shows that many residents of the city are moving to states where taxes are lower. Many Chicagoans are stuck paying costly income taxes, which has caused people to look for more affordable housing options elsewhere. The cold climate also takes a toll on its residents, which could be another reason why people aren’t staying in Chi-town.

While Chicago boasts an intriguing art scene that includes underground music, cinema and craft artisanry, the decline in above-the-line jobs over the years has made the city increasingly difficult to live in. Also: Chicago is notoriously freezing!

Major Industries: Federal government and tourism
Total Population in 2020: 705,749*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.6%*

Washington, D.C. @Kyle Lee / Shutterstock

The nation’s capital is full of business, politics, and hundreds of years of history. Although there are a lot of job opportunities in this special metropolitan city, with big companies like Capital One headquartered nearby, both the property taxes and housing costs are extremely high.

Over the last decade, while there has been a major influx of young professionals moving into the city, this has led to large scale gentrification that has relegated a lot of lifelong DC-natives to nearby Maryland and Virginia, where housing costs are lower. 

In the city, young professional residents are hesitant to live in certain areas, as five percent of D.C.’s city blocks accounted for over one-quarter of crime in the city. Professional residents would rather reside in bedroom communities and commute to work. Though crime is down in D.C. since the 90s, it is still a potential factor in D.C.’s “shrinking.”

Major Industries: Manufacturing and tourism
Total Population in 2020: 12,447,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.32%*

Los Angeles @Kit Leong / Shutterstock

The beach, the celebrities, the palm trees, the weather, and the movie studios like Disney and Warner Bros. — sounds like paradise! Everything might be rosy about Los Angeles,  except for the exorbitant cost of living. Not only is there a lack of housing in the spread out city, but that lack of housing drives up the prices on existing properties. 

The city has been seeing negative net migration, with many residents moving from LA to inland areas such as Riverside and San Bernardino. Many middle-class families are leaving the Los Angeles area to find cheaper markets with more opportunities in cities such as Dallas, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. 

LA’s higher-than-average cost of living (one of the highest in the world, in fact) makes it a difficult city to afford in general. But in combination with dwindling job opportunities outside of the film industry, it remains an impenetrable city.

Major Industries: Aerospace and energy
Total Population in 2020: 2,340,890*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.33%*

Houston @IrinaK / Shutterstock

The Lone Star State has been known for its boom-and-bust economy made up of the oil and gas industry, with several Fortune 500 companies based in Houston including Phillips and Halliburton. Despite its big business, the home of the Astros is seeing slow growth compared to other Texas cities such as Austin and Dallas. 

After being hit hard with Hurricane Harvey in the summer of 2017, Houston has worked hard to repair its infrastructure, economy and communities. Many people fled Houston as a result of the disaster, stunting the growth of people migrating to the city for a period of time. Many Houstonites or people that have considered moving to Houston have been weary of the uncertainty surrounding the oil and gas industry, another factor that has contributed to the population decline.

People are right to be uncertain. According to The Houston Chronicle, the city is among the worst cities in America for air quality. The rankings, done by the American Lung Association for its “State of the Air” report, placed Houston as #9 out of all American cities for the worst ozone pollution.

Major Industry: Electronics and food & beverage manufacturing
Total Population in 2020: 585, 589*
Annual Growth Rate: 0%*

Milwaukee @f11photo / Shutterstock

Cheese and famous breweries are what comes to mind when one thinks of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the dynamic midwestern city isn’t all fun and games. The birthplace of Kohl’s and other large companies has fallen on hard times as of late, with a rising crime rate that has left residents unsettled. On top of this, infrastructure is in serious need of a revamp to handle the increasingly harsh winters. 

Milwaukee is still getting past its reputation as one of the top ten most dangerous cities in the US. Though the city has improved since then, it still has higher rates of certain crimes than the rest of America. 

Many millennials are looking to move out of the state to find job opportunities that no longer exist in Milwaukee the way they did some thirty years ago. Young professionals from Milwaukee are migrating in big numbers to places like Las Vegas and San Antonio to seek out more jobs and better overall quality of life.

Major Industries: Gambling and tourism
Total Population in 2020: 38,756*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.09%* 

Atlantic City @Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

The Las Vegas of the East Coast has a little something for everyone, from family style restaurants like Olive Garden to casinos, luxury resorts, and shopping galore. For those who live in Atlantic City though, this glitzy escapist lifestyle couldn’t be further from reality. When gambling was legalized in the 1970s, it lifted the city out of years of economic woe. Today, however, the city is still recovering from the great recession of 2008, Hurricane Sandy, and the closure of four casinos back in 2014. 

Although the city has beach access which is appealing to many residents, its cold weather half the year makes it unusable. A place with gambling and casino nightlife like Vegas has warmer weather, making it a more attractive spot to get away. Unfortunately, many of the city’s biggest assets such as casinos have gone bankrupt, which have further contributed to the economic downfall driving people out of “America’s Playground”.

In 2014, the governor of New Jersey said that he and his government would be considering a referendum to end the monopoly that Atlantic City has on gambling. This would allow other municipalities to allow gambling, possibly bringing in more casino revenue to other places. Whether this will succeed is, as of now, unclear.

Major Industries: Advanced manufacturing and information technology 
Total Population in 2020: 1,704,000*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.15%*

Pittsburgh @Wade H. Massie / Shutterstock

Back in 1950 “The City of Champions” was the 12th most populous city in America. Since then, the population has been steadily declining year after year. Even with large companies such as  PPG Industries headquartered there, American production and manufacturing industries continue to shrink as they have been since the 70s. 

Pittsburgh is still known as a big steel-producing city, though steel production has slowed dramatically in the decades since its heyday. Due to this shrinking industry Pittsburgh is experiencing a weakened economy with sky high poverty rates. As scrappy as ever though, the rust-belt city is attempting to reinvent itself, encouraging growth in the tech industry with robotics and artificial intelligence emerging from the ashes. 

However, unless attention is paid to parts of the city that aren’t flashy (such as Homewood or McKees Rocks) and tech-savvy, Pittsburgh will likely continue its downward spiral. Which is a real shame, considering Pittsburgh is generally one of the safest cities in America.

Major Industries: Tourism and aerospace engineering
Total Population in 2020: 1,964,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 1.04%*

Orlando @Ingus Kruklitis / Shutterstock

Orlando is a complex city, bringing in much of its money from its tourism magnet Disney World. But behind the family friendly facade of the amusement park lies a darker reality for its residents, one beautifully depicted in the film The Florida Project, which follows the day-to-day life of a child living in poverty in a motel in the shadows of the world-famous attraction.

Unfortunately, the kid-friendly city of Orlando also has the highest rate among all of Florida’s largest cities, ranking as one of the highest crime rates in America. This factor has made it a less-than-desirable destination for families to live, in addition to the poor quality of schools in the local school system. 

Housing prices in the Greater Orlando area have also been somewhat unstable. In one year, they went up 37.08% before plummeting the next. The economic downturn of 2008 and 2009 made the situation all that more unstable. Though Orlando is home to Darden Restaurants, many skilled workers are leaving to seek better employment elsewhere. 

Major Industries: Automobile manufacturing and financial services
Total Population in 2020: 3,548,000*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.40%*

Detroit @Susan Montgomery / Shutterstock

Detroit’s downfall has led it to be seen as a case study for failed cities around the country. The once-mighty home of car manufacturers from Ford to General Motors saw its vast wealth disappear over decades of mistakes, until finally declaring bankruptcy in 2013. From factory closings to race riots as a result of years of discriminatory policies to corrupt politics, Detroit has seen it all, and Detroiters have been fleeing in large numbers for many years.  

In the years since bankruptcy Detroit has become known for its sobering images of crumbling factories, serving as a warning to other cities on the edge. People continue to flee the city, which is still experiencing the aftereffects of its boom-and-bust car industry, such as pollution and high unemployment rates.

Though law enforcement might have you believe that Detroit’s downfall is due to high crime, that isn’t necessarily the case. It is a chicken-and-egg situation, as poverty has skyrocketed in the city right along with the violence crime rates. Though a financial emergency was declared in 2013, not much has helped since.

Major Industries: Telecommunications and energy
Total Population in 2020: 2,827,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 1.22%*

Denver @Kara Math / Shutterstock

If you’re a skier or just like the mountain experience, you may have paid a visit to Denver, Colorado. The “Mile High City” is known for its craft breweries, outdoor activities, and proximity to the Rocky mountains, however, it has found itself losing residents to nearby cities such as Boulder over the recent years. 

The home to companies such as Arrow Electronics has seen major growth in recent years with the legalization of recreational cannabis, which has edged out other industries both new and old. Nevertheless, this influx of young people has driven property prices sky high, and has sent older residents and locals running for the hills. 

Colorado Sun labeled the homeless camps in Denver as “out of control.” Westword pointed out that homeless numbers were surging even before the ] pandemic. There are 4,171 homeless people living in Denver, and the numbers keep increasing. This is another costly problem that is likely leading to people fleeing the city. 

Major Industries: Agriculture and food processing
Total Population in 2020: 835,000*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.26%*

Omaha @Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

Billionaire business mogul Warren Buffet calls Omaha, Nebraska home, and continues to attract thousands of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders for annual meetings. Although not one of the largest metropolitan cities to begin with, Omaha has still been experiencing a slowing in population growth over the recent years. 

Although the cost of living is relatively lower than the national average, young people especially are seeking opportunities elsewhere where they can make higher wages in places with more cultural clout than Omaha, which is landlocked and rather difficult to get to from other American cultural hotspots.

Additionally, the top employers in Omaha are the Air Force Base and CHI Health. If you’re not a military member or a healthcare worker, you likely aren’t going to be staying in Omaha for long. Though it is the HQ for other major companies, Omaha is having trouble getting people to stay.

Major Industries: Shipbuilding and steel
Total Population in 2020: 189,513*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.74%*

Mobile @GTD7 / Shutterstock

The phrase “Sweet Home Alabama” may come to mind when thinking about this southern state where sweet tea is the drink of choice and football is king. In recent years, however, things have not been so sweet for the 4th largest city in Alabama. Mobile has been experiencing a slow but steady decrease in population over the last five years, which is likely due to a confluence of factors.

The city saw major growth in its population from its first reported census in 1785 all the way until the 1980s, over two centuries later. It’s most recent 2018 census showed the biggest population decline since the mid-20th century. Despite its shipping ports which serve as a consistent source of revenue, and the relatively low cost of living, Mobile’s wage base is far less than other nearby cities, which may be a contributing factor for people’s leaving.

US News also pointed out another possible reason that people might be leaving the city, and that is Mobile’s high crime rate. The rate in Mobile ranks considerably higher than the American national rate. The chance of being a victim of a property crime in Mobile is 1 in 26. 

Major Industries: Health care and educational services
Total Population in 2020: 140,987*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.62%*

Syracuse @KpertC / Shutterstock

Syracuse is one of the cities in America with the most annual snowfall. Despite being cold and dark much of the year, Syracuse is the fifth largest city in New York State, and is home to a large eponymous research university. Once the perfect strategic location for a burgeoning industry, as it was on the Erie Canal, it has fallen on hard times as modern society progressed. 

Syracuse went from being a manufacturing center to having to readjust to modernization and technological updates. The jobs in the local and state government are also on the decline. Higher education is a main source of employment in Syracuse, but that isn’t compatible with workers who are used to being on the line. 

Although the city is reported to have some job opportunities and lower taxes than other parts of the country, these qualities are not convincing enough to many who can’t bear to bundle up in their coats and boots for several months out of the year.

Major Industries: Yale University and healthcare
Total Population in 2020: 130,850*
Annual Growth Rate: 0.17%*

New Haven @f11photo / Shutterstock

Home to one of the most prestigious Ivy’s, New Haven is a place for college students, professors, researchers, and retirees. However, there are various reasons why people wouldn’t want to live in what otherwise sounds like an idyllic northeastern college town. The main concern when it comes to New Haven is the disproportionately high crime rate. 

The 1990s was the first time that New Haven saw its crime rate increase, placing the New England city in the top ten for highest per capita violent crime rates in America. Though crime stabilized in some areas of New Haven after the 1990s, certain parts of the city are known to be dangerous. 

Another reason that some are looking to live elsewhere is because of the high cost of living. With an influx of wealthy college students there to attend the elite university, many lifelong residents are pushed out by the young people gentrifying the neighborhood on their parent’s dime. 

Major Industries: Metal fabrication and food processing
Total Population in 2020: 197,282*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.30%*

Montgomery @LMspencer / Shutterstock

As the third largest city in Alabama, Montgomery is a historical landmark of progressive American history. This is the very city where Rosa Parks made a stand by choosing not to give up her bus seat to a white man, which was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement and the country’s history.

Despite being shrouded in history, today’s Montgomery faces new challenges. One of the main factors believed to be contributing to the decline in population is the education system. With not enough money going to schools, families choose to relocate to areas that prioritize their needs.

Montgomery’s crime rate is a potential reason people might be leaving. Though the rates are favorable when compared to the rest of Alabama, they are higher than the overall state average and the national average. These crime rates might dissuade people who are considering settling in Montgomery, despite its long civil rights history.   

Major Industries: Manufacturing and transportation
Total Population in 2020: 1,150,000*
Annual Growth Rate: -0.76%*

Memphis @f11photo / Shutterstock

The “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is none other than Memphis, Tennessee. Despite having tourists flock in from all over the world to see Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, and other relics of music history, Memphis is struggling to keep up with today’s modern economy. 

One possible cause for this population loss is the limited public transportation that the city has to offer. In addition to this, there are relatively high poverty levels, which coupled with the high crime rate make the city a lot less appealing for newcomers. 

The dwindling population numbers are a real shame considering Memphis’ rich history in music – both retro and contemporary. In addition to Elvis’ ranch, musicians flock to Memphis to collaborate and record in the city’s historic recording studios. Unfortunately many of them increasingly can’t afford to pay the bills – forcing them to move on elsewhere. 

Major Industries: Healthcare and education systems
Total Population in 2020: 73,799
Annual Growth Rate: -0.97%*

Albany @Joseph Thomas Photography / Shutterstock

Albany, not to be confused with the capital of New York state, is home to one of the paper product sites of Proctor and Gamble, where the plant produces Charmin Toilet Paper and Bounty Paper Towels used all over the nation. The city has seen a steady population growth throughout most of the 20th century, but began to have a decline starting around the 1990s.  Since then, its numbers have kept going down.  

Railroad restructuring caused job losses throughout the city of Albany, as did military reduction. Though the city has developed new revenue sources, many residents can still recall the impact of those job losses on the city.

Albany, like many other small cities in the south, is not a particularly wealthy place. Though cost of living is low compared to other places in America, when wealthier young people move to new more walkable housing developments in city center the older residents tend to get pushed out. In addition, the city has few areas possible for economic growth. 

Major Industries: Chemicals and biotech
Total Population in 2020: 45,703*
Annual Growth Rate: -1.63%*

Charleston @Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock

Charleston, the capital of the state of West Virginia, used to be the center of a thriving coal industry. Nevertheless, as the coal industry began to shrink quickly in the 1970s, its population was headed for a massive decline. Charleston is now one of the fastest shrinking cities in America today, losing over 4,800 residents (approximately 9.4% of its population) from April 1,  2010 to April 1, 2019.

With coal as the main industry, there is little incentive for other businesses to set up shop in the dying city. Coupled with a population already in decline, Charleston is stuck in a vicious cycle. The aging population also increases the costs of healthcare services that need to be provided, which is another reason why people who can get out choose to.

It’s concerning to workers think that Charleston’s coal industry might go the way of its salt well and natural gas industries. The first salt brines were discovered in Charleston in the early nineteenth century, as were the first natural gas wells. Coal was discovered two years later, in 1817, and that industry has hung on the longest.

Major Industries: BioHealth and life sciences
Total Population in 2020: 2,325,000
Annual Growth Rate: -4.92%*

Baltimore @Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock

Baltimore, otherwise referred to as “Charm City” is known for its crab cakes served with Old Bay seasoning and an impressive aquarium near the historic harbor. What once was a populous city with a booming manufacturing economy in the 1950s, Baltimore has seen massive factory closures and other problems typical of other once-great rust belt cities. 

As the city’s economy continues to weaken, crime rates have remained high. City leaders in Baltimore have attempted to deal with the crime rates through introducing new laws. One new law was a youth curfew designed to keep kids out of harm’s way, but the city continues to struggle with the problem. Fans of HBO’s beloved series The Wire, which is set in Baltimore, probably know these issues all too well.

Budgeting issues have led to too much policing and not enough funds to support the school system as well as crumbling infrastructure. Not only this but property taxes are higher in the city than its surrounding areas, further encouraging people to leave in big numbers. 

Major Industries: Advances manufacturing and energy innovation
Total Population in 2020: 203,792*
Annual Growth Rate: -3.16%* 

Rochester @Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock

This upstate New York city is also known as the “Flour City” as it was once the top-producing flour city in America. Today, it’s recognized for its vibrant music industry, and large research university. Like many of the other northern and eastern cities on this list, the frigid winter weather is a factor in and of itself why people would be fleeing as soon as they get the chance. 

In addition to the weather, the high property and income taxes are other factors that drive people out. During the 20th century, companies like Kodak and Xerox were keeping blue collar workers afloat, and when those jobs began to dwindle and move elsewhere, so did the city’s inhabitants. The markets are more niche than in other places, making job hunting more selective in this city. 

There is a large class divide lurking in Rochester. The inner city and the suburbs are two different worlds, and the former once had the highest child poverty rate in America. The class divide is still present, and tensions between the affluent suburbs and the inner city of Rochester have not dissipated.