Not arguing the affordability issue, but the study notes that COVID has been a significant factor. COVID drove de-urbanisation in many municipalities, and there has been a long tail. Also, NYC retail and F&B suffered during COVID, with resultant quality of life consequences for residents. -->
Final note: Lower-income New York residents have ALWAYS migrated from the city at higher rates. Non-home ownership means ties are weaker. Increasing incomes drives desire to move from apartments to houses with more space (e.g. for couples having children), which is why "The Sopranos" was in NJ. -->
One hundred years ago, Tony and Carmela are living in Brooklyn, not New Jersey. So again, yes to affordability, especially home ownership (not just a NYC issue), but also, this study notes COVID was a big factor, and I bet the migration data looks similar going back decades.