The Rise of Remote Work Migrants: Understanding the Migration Trends of College Educated Workers

Economists call certain cities 'superstar cities' because they have a concentration of college graduates which makes them economically powerful. However, these cities are now experiencing a shift as college educated workers are moving away in larger numbers. The pandemic has accelerated this trend, with remote work becoming a new option for workers in expensive coastal cities. Workers are now able to relocate to more affordable cities while keeping their jobs. This has led to a rise in remote work migrants, with cities like Austin attracting a significant number of remote workers. The attraction of these cities is not only affordability but also the development of downtown areas and the presence of tech hubs. The affordability of housing is a key factor driving the migration away from expensive coastal cities. The next tier of cities has been building more housing, making it more accessible to workers who want to become homeowners. Cities like Phoenix are solving the affordable housing crisis of cities like San Francisco. While this trend is beneficial for cities like Austin and Nashville, it presents challenges for cities like San Francisco, Washington, and New York.