The housing rent in New York City has been continuously increasing, surpassing salary growth, leading to strong dissatisfaction among household users over rising utility costs such as electricity. Since 2020, nearly a million residents have moved from New York State to other states, indicating the severe pressure of local living costs.
The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) interviewed scholar Grant Dever, who published an opinion article on “Congress Hill,” stating that multiple policies implemented by New York, including the “All-Electric Buildings Act,” have not alleviated the burden but instead exacerbated housing shortages and price surges, exacerbating the phenomenon of population outflow.
New York State lost a congressional seat in the 2020 census, and based on current trends, it is estimated that after the 2030 census, it may lose two more seats, further diminishing New York State’s political influence at the federal level.
Some of the population outflows are part of a nationwide trend, including retirees moving to states with warmer winters and lower living costs. However, analyses indicate that the cost pressure caused by policies remains a major factor driving young adults to relocate.
Some scholars point out that the “scarcity politics” practiced by blue states, which raise prices without addressing fundamental needs, lead to fiscal pressure and population outflow. In contrast, red states such as Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina are increasing their overall influence due to population growth and economic expansion.
Moreover, the regulatory policies long pushed by New York State legislators suppress housing supply and drive up rental prices. According to data from Zillow, in the Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester metropolitan areas, the median house prices adjusted for inflation have risen by at least 45% over the past decade, while median rents increased by 23%.
Between 2012 and 2022, the housing stock in New York only increased by 5.7%, much lower than Texas (19.5%) and Florida (13.6%). In contrast, in Austin, Texas, due to a significant addition to the housing supply, despite a 10% population increase, rent remained relatively stable over a decade.
Furthermore, in 2023, the New York State Legislature passed the “All Electric Buildings Act,” which mandates that starting in 2026, new buildings of seven stories or fewer cannot connect to natural gas pipelines; and starting in 2029, these regulations will extend to larger buildings.
Critics argue that this policy will increase construction costs, delay projects, place further strain on the already stressed electricity grid, raise electricity expenses, and ultimately impact tenants.
Data shows that residential energy use accounts for only about 11% of New York State’s total carbon emissions, and as the law only applies to new construction projects, its overall carbon reduction contribution can be considered “negligible.”
Public opinion suggests that if policies lead to more residents leaving New York, it will generate emission reductions due to population loss rather than energy efficiency gains.
Several moderate Democratic lawmakers have proposed delaying the implementation of the law, pointing out that before New York significantly increases housing supply, the government should refrain from adopting control measures that would raise construction costs.
At the same time, for New York to achieve climate goals and meet the electricity demands of new industries, additional investment in energy infrastructure is necessary, which will inevitably increase the burden on users. Experts recommend that legislators prioritize addressing the pressing issue of high living costs and avoid passing unnecessary cost-enhancing policies.