More than half of Asian American and Pacific Islander New Yorkers have considered leaving the city because of rising costs, according to a new study from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). The report indicates that economic insecurity, safety concerns, and language barriers are shaping daily life across the five boroughs.
The report, released Tuesday, is the first in TAAF’s new “State of AAPIs” research series. It includes survey data from 1,400 AAPI adults in New York City, along with interviews with 50 experts and community leaders. TAAF stated that the city report is designed to provide borough-level findings and guide its broader “TAAF Cities” initiative.
The report found that 55% of respondents had considered leaving New York City at least sometimes due to the cost of living, while 59% said they struggled to save money or build financial security in the past year. Half reported worrying about affording essentials such as food, housing, and utilities, while 39% said they struggled to access safe and stable housing.
Safety concerns also remain high. TAAF reported that 37% of AAPI New Yorkers experienced adverse treatment in their borough over the past year, and 43% changed their behavior because of their race, immigration status, or appearance. More than half rated local law enforcement’s efforts to keep residents safe as poor or fair.
Additionally, 36% of respondents felt unwelcome in public spaces because of their race or cultural background, while 28% said they needed immigration-related assistance but had trouble accessing trusted or affordable services.
The findings varied sharply by borough. In the Bronx, 64% of respondents rated their ability to achieve economic stability as poor or fair—the worst among the five boroughs—while Staten Island respondents reported the highest rates of adverse treatment and physical attacks.
TAAF noted that nearly 1.4 million AAPI residents live in New York City, making up about 16% of the city’s population. The report also highlights that the city’s AAPI population is highly diverse, with more than 40 languages or dialects spoken across its communities.
TAAF said the data will inform cross-sector solutions through its “TAAF Cities” initiative, which launched in May 2025 and utilizes a four-part model: research, convene, pilot, and scale. The foundation plans to release future city reports for Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Norman Chen, TAAF’s chief executive officer, said the series is intended to move beyond broad labels and give decision-makers “the data they need to address our community’s biggest challenges.”
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
