Despite out-migration, Boston's a hub for educated transplants
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Boston is not only a top destination for college students but one for college-educated Americans leaving home.
Why it matters: White-collar workers tend to go where they think the jobs are, and cities are constantly competing with one another to attract well-paid professionals — and the tax revenue they often bring.
Between the lines: The census data shows Boston still attracts top talent as a hub for health care, tech and academia, though newcomers face some of the steepest cost of living in the nation, especially when it comes to housing.
By the numbers: Just under 99,000 people ages 25 and up with at least a bachelor's degree moved to the Boston metro area in 2023 alone.
- That's 2.2% of that demographic in the U.S.
- They join some 3.5 million residents over age 25 in the Boston metro area.
Zoom out: Of the nation's largest 100 metro areas, Boston is the ninth most popular city among college-educated people ages 25-plus, behind Chicago (2.4%), Los Angeles (2.4%) and Atlanta (2.9%).
- The most popular destinations for these adults are New York City (6.1%), Washington, D.C. (3.5%) and Dallas (3.2%).
How it works: These numbers are based on the 2023 one-year American Community Survey and include people who moved in the year prior to answering the survey.
Zoom in: The Boston area has lost top talent to more affordable regions in recent years, especially those who can work remotely.
Yes, but: Out-migration dropped 31% in 2023, per a UMass Donahue Institute analysis of census data.
- The region also saw an increase in population driven by international immigration.
The bottom line: New York being a big draw for white-collar workers holds true as ever, but plenty of other cities are getting a piece of the action, too.