{"id":32688,"date":"2021-12-03T16:04:53","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T13:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/?p=32688"},"modified":"2025-03-25T14:29:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T11:29:57","slug":"northeast-metro-to-metro-migration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/northeast-metro-to-metro-migration\/","title":{"rendered":"Smaller Northeastern Metros Continue Gaining More Residents Through Metro-to-Metro Migration"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Northeast is home to the country\u2019s largest megalopolis, comprising some of the most important economic and cultural centers in the U.S. One demographic trend that characterized the Northeastern U.S. in recent years is that of smaller metro areas winning residents through relocations, thanks in part to their affordability and suburban advantages. Meanwhile, the region\u2019s larger metros are losing out in metro-to-metro migration. Using the newest data on relocations between metros provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, we wanted to see which of the region\u2019s metros are growing the fastest through metro-to-metro migration.<\/p>\n

Currently, nationwide metro-to-metro migration trends<\/a> tend to favor select areas in the Sun Belt that attract residents from both coasts. However, there are also other population centers that are drawing movers in all regions. So, using data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, we set out to highlight which Northeastern metros are winning the most residents through metro-to-metro migration.<\/p>\n

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Overall, our study found that smaller-sized metro areas anchoring one of the Northeast\u2019s largest metros were the biggest winners in metro-to-metro migration trends. Such commuter towns and suburban areas attract residents from the high-density metros of which they are a satellite thanks to their lower costs of living and commuting opportunities. Of the Northeastern metros gaining the most residents from other metro areas, Providence, R.I., is the largest with 1.67 million residents as of 2020. The rest all had less than 1 million residents, highlighting smaller metros in the region as hotspots for relocations.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the Northeastern metros on our list are primarily drawing their influx of relocations from the large metro in their vicinity and from smaller metros in the same state \u2014 an opposite to national migration trends where the metros growing the fastest are drawing movers from several metros in different regions of the U.S.<\/p>\n

#1 \u2013 Harrisburg, PA<\/h2>\n

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The first of four Pennsylvania metros to make the list, Harrisburg inched ahead of the competition by winning out net population in exchanges with other metros in the state. In particular, the more than 2,000 yearly net residents gained from Philadelphia contributed greatly to Harrisburg\u2019s 7,118 yearly population growth from in-migration \u2014 although the growth of the metro did not primarily hinge on a single population source as is the case some of the following entries.<\/p>\n

As Pennsylvania\u2019s state capital, the metro is enticing to prospective residents thanks to job opportunities in the state and federal government sector. But, other industries making use of office space in Harrisburg<\/a> have also seen considerable growth amid the metro\u2019s push toward a more diversified economy.<\/p>\n

#2 \u2013 Providence, RI<\/h2>\n

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The largest metro area on our list and the most populous in Rhode Island, Providence made it to #2, thanks to the 7,039 yearly residents it gains from other metros.<\/p>\n

Historically, Providence\u2019s economic background was centered around manufacturing, but it has since transitioned into a college town, and Providence office spaces<\/a> are also seeing growing demand. As a result, the city enjoys a steady stream of educated young professionals to fill the workforce demand generated by the metro\u2019s robust healthcare, biomedicine, and tech industries.<\/p>\n

Here, the primary source of the influx of relocations is Boston<\/a>, although New York City<\/a> and neighboring Worcester, Mass<\/a>., also provide the metro with new arrivals.<\/p>\n

#3 \u2013 Manchester, NH<\/h2>\n

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The #3 spot was taken up by another satellite of the Boston metro: Manchester, N.H. Manchester\u2019s population influx showcases trends similar to those of Providence, R.I. \u2014 a constant supply of Bostonians looking to relocate into a suburban area, coupled with a trickle of residents from other metros, such as NYC and Worcester, Mass. The metro gains 5,429 residents, on average, each year \u2014 or approximately 1.3% of its total population in 2020.<\/p>\n

Notably, Manchester<\/a> is attractive to movers due to its affordability \u2014 especially when compared to the metros from which it gains residents. The metro\u2019s business-friendly climate is another one of the primary reasons for its growth.<\/p>\n

#4 \u2013 Springfield, MA<\/h2>\n

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Around 100 miles southwest of Manchester, Springfield, Mass. also benefited from its proximity to Boston, reaching #4 with 4,149 residents gained per year from in-migration.<\/p>\n

Springfield<\/a> has similar advantages to the New England entries with its characteristic suburban feel and great affordability. However, the metro also boasts great walkability and bikeability. Plus, its historic spirit for innovation \u2014 granting it the moniker of \u201cthe City of Firsts\u201d \u2014 is evident in the ongoing revitalization of the local economy and public spaces.<\/p>\n

#5 \u2013 Allentown, PA<\/h2>\n

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With a gain of 3,640 net residents yearly, Allentown, Penn., made it to the fifth spot on our list. Allentown<\/a> is situated approximately 100 miles west of New York City \u2014 which is also its primary source of movers, compensating for the net population that the metro loses to nearby Philadelphia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Besides its convenient location between NYC and Philly, Allentown\u2019s strong points include a booming service sector centered around the Center City<\/a> neighborhood, as well as its picturesque \u2014 but relatively affordable \u2014 Victorian townhouses.<\/p>\n

#6 \u2013 Scranton, PA<\/h2>\n

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Keeping up with the theme of affordability in Pennsylvania, Scranton is our 6th<\/sup> entry in the top 10 Northeastern metros winning residents through in-migration. Situated to the north along I-476 from Allentown, Penn., Scranton<\/a> won over residents from the previous entry, as well as from Philadelphia and New York City.<\/p>\n

Here, the historic manufacturing industry still plays a big part in the city\u2019s economy, though healthcare and other jobs in the service sector are also available for residents looking to benefit from the metro\u2019s affordability and small-town atmosphere. Scranton is also experiencing a cultural boom, with younger residents being drawn to the city\u2019s walkable downtown that houses a growing number of venues and events.<\/p>\n

#7 \u2013 Albany, NY<\/h2>\n

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As the capital of the state of New York, Albany gained approximately 2,000 residents per year through in-migration, with its main contributor being the primary economic hub of the Northeast \u2014 New York City.<\/p>\n

As a city rich in history, Albany is defined by a mix of tradition and innovation. Specifically, the metro\u2019s institutions of higher learning are highly sought-after, and its culture and nightlife are anything but stale. This \u2014 combined with its affordability and the growth of high-performance industries that make use of office space in Albany<\/a> such as tech, finance and logistics \u2014 likely pushed the metro up among the possible destinations for New Yorkers who were looking to relocate.<\/p>\n

#8 \u2013 Reading, PA<\/h2>\n

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With 1,680 net residents gained per year, Reading, Penn., was an outlier on our list due to winning residents from more distant metros \u2014 such as New York City and Pittsburgh, Penn<\/a>. \u2014 while also staying close to even or losing residents in population exchanges with nearby, in-state metros such as Philadelphia, Allentown, and Harrisburg.<\/p>\n

A popular hiking and biking destination thanks to its 125 miles of trails, Reading<\/a> also attracts residents due to its affordability \u2014 which is especially noticeable in terms of housing costs \u2014 as well as job opportunities in manufacturing and healthcare.<\/p>\n

#9 \u2013 Binghamton, NY<\/h2>\n

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At #9, Binghamton, N.Y. gained an average of 1,176 residents per year from other metros, with the vast majority of new arrivals coming from New York City. With access to I-81, I-88, I-86 and several state routes, Binghamton<\/a> is a significant logistical hub that promises suburban peace and quiet.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the metro\u2019s innovative spirit is evident in the robust high-tech sector that drives employment and relocations into the metro alongside Binghamton University \u2014 one of the most important research universities in the Northeast.<\/p>\n

#10 \u2013 Burlington, VT<\/h2>\n

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Closing out the list was Burlington, Vt. \u2014 the only Green Mountain State entry in the top 10 \u2014 with a yearly population increase from metro-to-metro migration of 1,159.<\/p>\n

A picturesque college town with classical architecture and a vibrant downtown, Burlington attracts residents from all over the East Coast, with Boston, NYC, and Washington, D.C.<\/a>, being its top three sources of incoming relocations. The metro is also conscious of the environment, as the city of Burlington was one of the first in the U.S. to source all of its electricity from renewable sources.<\/p>\n

What Metro-to-Metro Migration Trends Mean for New York City, Philadelphia and Boston<\/h2>\n

While the aforementioned metros were gaining residents, the large metros in the Northeast continued to lose population to destinations in Florida and other areas further south, but also to the metros in our top 10. In this way, the absence of the Northeast\u2019s large metros highlights the region as an outlier in metro-to-metro migration trends, because the metros winning the most residents at a national level are generally medium- or large-sized, with more than 1 million residents.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston are losing net residents to select metros in the Sun Belt or more affordable areas in their respective states. The result is that New York City loses almost 240,000 net residents per year through metro-to-metro migration, while Boston and Philadelphia are also losing 25,000 and 21,000 per year, respectively.<\/p>\n

Yet, it should be noted that the number of net residents lost to other metros by the Northwest\u2019s largest urban centers is relatively minor in comparison to their total population \u2014 1.2% in the case of NYC, 0.5% for Boston, and 0.3% for Philadelphia. Additionally, these metros are experiencing overall population growth thanks to other factors such as birth rate and relocations from outside the U.S.<\/p>\n

Overall, the entries in our top 10 highlight a trend of citizens already living in the Northeast relocating to more affordable suburban areas, whether in the same region or in other parts of the country. And, although the effects of metro-to-metro migration alone may seem minor, they could potentially compound into long-term demographic shifts in the Northeast and the U.S. as a whole.<\/p>\n

Methodology<\/h2>\n