A new report from the left-leaning Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center suggests that the fear of a mass exodus of residents leaving the state is unfounded. The report argues that differing datasets on population changes make it difficult to draw clear conclusions about migration patterns, and that those who do leave Massachusetts are more likely to do so because of the high cost of living rather than taxes or other business-specific concerns.
Author of the report, Kurt Wise, stated that while some data, such as IRS migration data, raises questions about who is leaving Massachusetts and why, there is no immediate cause for concern. Additionally, recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Massachusetts’s overall population grew modestly in 2023, with people choosing to move to the state.
The report’s findings are in contrast with the concerns raised by business groups and allies about a potential crisis of residents fleeing the state. Migration patterns and competitiveness have become important topics on Beacon Hill, where the Mass. High Tech Council was set to host a virtual event about state business climate rankings. Overall, despite differing data sources, the report concludes that there is no evidence of a crisis of residents leaving Massachusetts in large numbers, and that the state’s population has, in fact, grown modestly in recent years due to people choosing to move there.
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