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05/27/2026
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The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) commissioned the recently released 2026 Young Residents Survey from HIT Strategies, which is an expansion of the Chamber Foundation’s 2023 Young Residents Survey. To better understand how the region’s employers and policymakers can retain 20 - to 30-year-old residents living and working in Greater Boston, the 2026 survey explores important issues of affordability, quality of life, professional goals, and community building.
There’s no question about Boston’s potential: it’s huge. But the cost of being here—financially, emotionally, logistically—is making more people ask the big question: Is it still worth it?
Our latest Young Residents Survey gives us a fresh pulse check, and the answer is more complicated than you think.
79% of young residents are still satisfied with their day-to-day lives, a 10% decrease since 2023.
Translation? People still enjoy the culture, opportunities, and energy of Greater Boston, but the friction points are getting harder to ignore.
26% of young residents are considering leaving within the next five years—a stat that’s remained basically unchanged from 2023. Half are thinking about staying in Massachusetts, while the other half are eyeing out-of-state moves, with 46% looking to move to the Southeast and Southwest.
When young residents think about staying or leaving, five key factors emerge that influence their decisions:
Notice anything? It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about building a life. Stability, safety, and a realistic path to homeownership are now part of the baseline, not the dream.
Housing is still the loudest issue in the room, and it’s getting louder.
Half of young residents (50%) say housing that is affordable should be the top priority for local leaders.
A newer (and important) shift in 2026: health care accessibility is now a top concern (37%).
For a generation juggling careers, side hustles, mental health, and burnout, access to more affordable, reliable housing and care isn’t optional; it’s foundational.
This signals a broader shift: young residents aren’t just thinking about surviving in the city. They’re thinking about sustaining a life here.
Here’s some unexpectedly good news: Nearly two thirds of young residents (64%) found ease in building community, a 17% increase since 2023.
Even more telling:
74% of Black and Latino respondents, 69% of AAPI respondents, and 70% of LGBTQ respondents say Boston is a place where people with their background, values, and identity belong.
That’s huge. In a city often labeled “hard to break into,” something is working. Whether it’s better networking spaces, more intentional community-building, or just post-pandemic social energy finally kicking in, people are finding their circles.
And that matters. Because when people feel connected, they’re more likely to stay, even when things get tough.
Young professionals aren’t just asking, “What’s my next role?” They’re asking, “How can I balance life and work?”
The data shows a clear appetite for growth:
This generation is adaptable, ambitious, and not afraid to pivot, but they want employers and systems that support that evolution.
Here’s the honest answer: it depends on whether Greater Boston can meet young professionals halfway.
People want to stay. They’re building communities, investing in careers, and imagining futures here. But rising costs, housing barriers, and quality-of-life pressures are testing that commitment.
This isn’t about loyalty: it’s about livability.
Greater Boston still has the energy, talent, and opportunity that make it magnetic. But in 2026, that’s no longer enough on its own.
Young professionals are asking for something deeper:
The question isn’t just “Will they stay?” It’s “Will the region give them a reason to?”
To explore more findings from the survey, view the full report here.
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