Young People Considering Moving Out of Pennsylvania Due to High Cost of Living

Getty Images

By Ashley Adams

July 6, 2023

A recent poll by the Commonwealth Foundation found that residents between the age of 18 and 44 have considered moving to another state because of the commonwealth’s high taxes and cost of living.

High taxes and cost of living are the top two reasons younger Pennsylvanans consider moving out of state, according to a recent survey.

The poll was conducted by the Commonwealth Foundation last month and the results showed that more than half of the respondents between the ages of 18 and 44 have either considered moving to another state or know someone who wants to.

The partisan split of respondents was 39% Democrats, 38% Republicans, and 23% independent, with a 3.46% margin of error.

Other reasons why younger residents considered moving include lower crime, more job opportunities, elected leaders more aligned with personal values, less intrusive government, better public schools, better health care, and more secure elections.

Many lawmakers in Harrisburg agree that stemming population loss among working-age residents is one of the commonwealth’s biggest challenges. In the latest US Census data, the counties encompassing Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were among the top 10 nationally that shrank in population last year.

Philadelphia County ranked sixth, losing more than 22,000 of its 1.6 million residents. Allegheny County ranked 10th, shedding a little more than 12,000 of its 1.2 million residents in 2022.

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: Uncategorized

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Pennsylvanians and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The Keystone has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Pennsylvania families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.