These American cities risk being empty sooner than later due to economic issues: 

Unfortunately, this is old news, but some American cities are losing their shine with each year passing. Once known as being a good place to relocate for retirement, these places are now seeing most of the residents pack their bags and leave ASAP in search of a newer place with better perspectives.

The United States conducts a census every ten years to determine the nation’s population size. These statistics can reveal which states and cities have seen recent population booms and which have been more severely affected by economic issues.

Curious to see which American cities made the list? Read on the following lines.

Cordele, Georgia

How many people do you know who reside in Cordele, Georgia? According to recent statistics, it’s one of the American cities that struggles to keep residents in it.

The population of Cordele increased from 11,608 in 2000 to 10,638 in 2018. Taxes may be lowered in an attempt to attract more residents to Cordele, a Georgia city that is losing residents year after year.

San Diego, California

Without a doubt, San Diego is beautiful, but that is also what makes it pricey, which may make some people want to move elsewhere. And it’s understandable, especially in this economy!

Even a real estate agent claims that although the city offers a great lifestyle because of its weather, it is expensive, has a slowing job market, high taxes, and onerous regulations and policies that make it unappealing to businesses. The median home price is approximately $990,000.

Baltimore, Maryland

Despite being one of the most well-known cities in the US, Baltimore’s population has been steadily dropping since the 1950s. Between 2018 and 2019, about 7,200 people packed up and left the city, which is 1.2% of the total population.

It may not sound that much but the statistic is a component of a larger issue for Baltimore, whose population has declined by an estimated 3% since 2000. Seeing people move out of Baltimore year after year is concerning, especially since the population of the United States as a whole has grown since 2000.

Miami, Florida

Many of the same factors that make people leave West Palm Beach also apply to Miami. This is because property insurance has skyrocketed and the cost of living has increased due to the sharp increase in housing prices during the pandemic real estate boom.

The median list price of a home is $650,000, which is significantly higher than what most people can afford.

Selma, Alabama

Selma, Alabama, has deeply embedded itself in American history due to its participation in the Selma Voting Rights Movement and the civil rights movement. Even though it’s one of Alabama’s most well-known cities, it appears that people are leaving town quickly. According to the most recent census, the population of Selma has decreased by 13.8% between 2020 and 2023.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas always seemed fun to people who don’t live there or to tourists. After all, when you first come to America, you may want to pay a visit to Las Vegas, New York, or San Francisco. But then why is this location among the American cities that people are leaving behind without any regret?

Here, extreme heat and utility costs may be to blame. Although housing costs are generally lower in Las Vegas than in the other cities on this list, the city’s year-round high temperatures result in higher utility costs. Additionally, a lot of jobs in the city are more seasonal and temporary because it is a town that heavily relies on entertainment.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu might seem like a great destination for a summer vacation, and we can’t argue with that fact, but if you decide you like it well enough to want to relocate to it, you might see it’s not the best idea ever.

Honolulu is feeling the effects of Hawaii’s ongoing population decline more than most other Hawaiian cities. According to the most recent census, 11.1% of the residents of the Hawaiian city left in search of other places to call home. The cost of living in Honolulu is believed to be the primary factor driving so many people out of Hawaii’s well-known city.

According to estimates, living expenses in Honolulu are nearly 30% greater than those in Austin, Texas. It’s simple to understand why people are moving away from Honolulu given the more affordable options available elsewhere in the US.

Ocean City, New Jersey

Ocean City is one of the American cities that seem to have fewer and fewer residents each year. The residents of Ocean City, New Jersey, are eager to get away.

Although tourism is the city’s main source of income, since 2000, its permanent residents have been searching for other places to call home. 23.9% of Ocean City residents chose to move elsewhere between 2000 and 2010, and this percentage has remained constant over the past ten years.

Since 2010, the population has decreased by an additional 5.6%, with the cost of living being the primary driver of home relocation. People from all over the state are moving to less expensive places because of New Jersey’s exorbitant housing costs.

The idea of relocating in the future is trying to find a place in your thoughts, but after reading this article, you’re not sure anymore. It’s ok to be confused, but we want to help you clear this confusion and make the right decision for you.

This lengthy handbook is filled with activities and resources to assist you in structuring your thoughts, feelings, inquiries, preferences, and plans. A low-stress, step-by-step process for locating the ideal location for you, moving there, and acclimating to a new environment is provided in the book Move to the Place of Your Dreams: A Relocation Handbook.

Denver, Colorado

One of the main reasons why people might be leaving Denver is affordability. Boulder and Denver saw a surge of transplants from remote coastal areas as a result of COVID-19. Most notably in the Carolinas and the Southeast, four years later, many are cashing in their investments for even more affordable living.

Although it’s one of the American cities that offer a lot of stunning nature and outdoor lifestyle, a coastal mindset, and a ton of great restaurants, the area’s high home prices (the median home list price is $585,000) make it unaffordable for many.

Seattle, Washington

Like the majority of the American cities on this list, Seattle has higher-than-average costs. However, in 2023, it also came in first place in a survey of cities where people were thinking about moving because of crime, with almost 10% of its citizens considering doing so.

A visitor wrote a blog post in January detailing all the “scary things” that made her want to return to Boise, Idaho, such as a sizable group of people who were obviously under the influence of drugs on a busy street. Nobody gave them a second thought.

Do you plan on relocating in 2025? If so, where would you think to move? Tell us in the comments.

You may also be interested in reading about 7 Things Boomers Need to Leave Behind in Retirement.