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New Yorkers who recently ditched the city for low-tax hot spots in Florida and Texas are finding the savings to be a lot less than they would have if they moved four years ago as the cost to rent or buy a home soars.

Rents and home prices in Miami have surged by around 40% since the pandemic, which sparked the Great Exodus from the Big Apple to the Sunshine State, as well as to Dallas and Austin in the Lone Star State, according to a study by financial information provider SmartAsset.

The result has been that New Yorkers earning $250,000 who moved to Miami last year ended up saving $88,036 or 28% less compared to people in the same income bracket who moved to South Florida in 2019, the study found.

By comparison, those early settlers had saved $122,956, according to the data, first reported by Bloomberg News.

The two Texas cities that have seen explosive population growth in recent years also arent the bargain they once were, according to SmartAsset. A New Yorker earning $250,000 who moved to Austin in 2019 would have saved $154,564. Last year, however, that number declined 25% to $116,195.

New Yorkers in the same tax bracket who relocated to Dallas in 2019 saved $135,887. Last year, however, the savings fell 20% to $108,208.

The data also indicates that the rate at which cost of living is rising in Miami, Austin and Dallas is outstripping that of Manhattan.

From 2019 to 2023, rent in Manhattan has increased 3.3%, while home prices have jumped 29.3%. Meanwhile, the cost of energy and utilities has fallen 13.7% while the cost of gas is up 35.7%.

In Miami, rent has soared during that same period by 37% while home prices are up 43.7%, according to SmartAsset.

In that four-year span, the cost of energy and utilities in Miami rose 17%, while the price of gasoline is up 54.4%.

Austin’s rent prices have gone up 25.5%, while its home prices are up a whopping 55.6%. Its energy and utilities are 12.5% more expensive, while the gas prices have risen by 32.3%.

In Dallas, rent has actually fallen 1.1% but home prices are up 21.1%. Energy and utilities are 16.5% more expensive, while the price of gas has increased by 32.8%.

In 2023, New York State had the third highest income tax rate in the country, according to a study by TurboTax. Florida and Texas are among nine states that do not levy a state income tax.

But the surging demand for real estate have sent home prices soaring — causing a spike in the property tax rate in the Lone Star State, where longtime residents are feeling the pinch.

Florida, meanwhile, is in the midst of a property insurance crisis as residents paid a whopping 42% more for coverage last year compared to 2022.

Last year, Floridians paid on average $6,000 for home insurance — nearly three times the national average of $1,700.

“The fact that people continue to absorb increased costs of food, nightlife, culture and real estate means that this is a new normal,” Michael Martirena, a luxury real estate adviser with Miami-based firm Compass, told The Post.

Cities in the Sun Belt have been the beneficiaries of a population exodus from high-cost New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

According to census data, more than half a million people have left New York since 2020 — an outflow that was spurred by the coronavirus pandemic as well as a sharp decline in the quality of life throughout the Big Apple, which saw a spike in crime, homelessness and cost of living.

Last year alone, the New York metropolitan area lost 65,000 residents.

The census data also showed that LA shed 71,000 people last year while Chicago, the nations third-most populous metro area, lost 16,600 people.

The biggest beneficiaries of the population shift are towns in Texas, led by Dallas-Fort Worth and the Houston metro area.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area saw its population grow by 152,598 people last year while Houstons population added 139,789 residents, according to the US Census.

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Politics

Why are abuse survivors losing faith in the grooming gang inquiry?

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Why are abuse survivors losing faith in the grooming gang inquiry?

The grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into disarray this week before it has even started, as four survivors have quit the panel and two frontrunners for chairperson have withdrawn.

The inquiry was announced in June, but frustrations have grown over the pace of progress towards launching it, with pressure mounting on the government to appoint a chair and set out its terms of reference.

Survivors Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds were first to stand down from their roles over concerns about who could head the inquiry and fears it may be “watered down” – something Sir Keir Starmer has denied, insisting that “injustice will have no place to hide”.

Both candidates shortlisted to lead the inquiry have now pulled out.

Here’s what we know about why panel members have quit and what the government has said in response.

Concerns over inquiry chairs

The resignations came after Sky News revealed the two shortlisted chairs for the inquiry were former police chief Jim Gamble and social worker Annie Hudson.

Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson emerged as the leading candidates
Image:
Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson emerged as the leading candidates

Ms Goddard was the first to resign from the survivors’ liaison panel, expressing deep reservations about the candidates: “One has a background in police and the other, a social worker. The very two services that contributed most to the cover-up of the national mass rape and trafficking of children.

“This is a disturbing conflict of interest, and I fear the lack of trust in services from years of failings and corruption will have a negative impact in survivor engagement with this inquiry.”

The other survivors who resigned also took issue with the shortlisted chairs in their statements.

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Fiona Goddard speaking to Sky News in June

Ms Hudson withdrew her candidacy on Tuesday, while Mr Gamble pulled out of the running on Wednesday.

In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood explaining his decision, Mr Gamble said it was “clear that a lack of confidence due to my previous occupation exists among some” and that he did not want to proceed without a consensus among the victims.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.”

Speaking to Sky News after Mr Gamble’s resignation, Ms Reynolds said: “The minute that we found out their former employment, it raised red flags.”

She claimed they represented “the very institutions that have failed us” and that their views would not have been “unbiased” or “impartial”.

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Survivor Ellie-Ann Reynolds speaks after Gamble withdraws

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said his government “will find the right person to chair the inquiry”, but did not mention names.

Ms Reynolds and other victims have called for a judge to chair the inquiry, but Sir Keir said he ruled that out because it would require all ongoing criminal proceedings to finish before the inquiry could begin, leading to lengthy delays.

“We’ve waited years for the truth,” Ms Reynolds said. “The timing really doesn’t matter. As long as we know that it’s going to be done properly and impartially… we would be able to wait to ensure that that’s done.”

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PM explains judge stance and defends Jess Phillips

The full statutory inquiry into how cases of child sexual exploitation have been handled across England and Wales was announced by Sir Keir after an audit by Baroness Louise Casey found children had been failed by the systems in place to protect them.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir said Baroness Casey would be working in support of the inquiry.

Claims about poor treatment of survivors

Ms Reynolds said survivors were “kept in the dark” and “treated with contempt and ignored” when they asked about Home Office meetings and decisions. She said it was made clear that “speaking openly would jeopardise our place on the panel”.

She told Sky News that victims were “gaslit” and “manipulated” during the process and they had “very little faith in authorities and systems”.

Similarly, Ms Goddard claimed a “toxic, fearful environment” had been created for survivors on the panel, with “condescending and controlling language” used towards them.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has said she “regrets” resignations from the inquiry and that it was “always sad when victims feel that they can’t take part in a process”.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has faced calls to resign. Pic: PA
Image:
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has faced calls to resign. Pic: PA

On Wednesday, Sir Keir said: “I respect the views of all the survivors, and there are different views, I accept that.”

He added that the door was open for people to return to the inquiry panel if they wished.

Fears of ‘diluted’ inquiry

The survivors say they fear the inquiry could be diluted, suggesting the Home Office could broaden its scope beyond group-based sexual abuse and push for it to have a regional focus rather than being truly national.

Ms Goddard said the survivors had “repeatedly faced suggestions from officials to expand this inquiry” and that it risked being “watered down”.

Ms Reynolds said the “final turning point” in her decision to quit the panel was the “push to widen the remit of the National Inquiry in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse”.

Ms Phillips said allegations that the inquiry is being diluted or intentionally delayed were “false” and that it would “remain laser-focused on grooming gangs”.

Read more from Sky News:
Phillips slams ‘idiot’ councils for not seeing grooming problem
Leading candidates to chair grooming gangs inquiry revealed

Ms Goddard claimed this amounted to the minister calling her “a liar” and said she should apologise and resign.

Ms Reynolds also said she believed Ms Phillips was “unfit for the role”.

During PMQs on Wednesday, Sir Keir defended the safeguarding minister, saying she and Baroness Casey were the “right people” to take the inquiry forward.

He insisted the inquiry “is not and will never be watered down” and that “its scope will not change”.

“It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry,” he said.

‘They should start again’

The father of a grooming gang victim says the government “should start again” with the national inquiry.

Marlon West, whose daughter Scarlett was a victim of sexual exploitation in Manchester, told Sky News that public “faith” has been “lost”.

He described Ms Phillips in parliament this week as “unprofessional” and “defensive rather than listening to what survivors are saying.”

“I doubt she will resign but she has lost any kind of faith from the public, and more importantly with survivors and families.

He wants to see an inquiry with family members included alongside survivors on the panel.

“Not that I want to go on it, if I’m honest,” he said, “but it’s the families who are dealing with the services, not so much the survivors.

“It’s really important that they get family perspective. I think they should start again.”

Scarlett and her dad Marlon
Image:
Scarlett and her dad Marlon

Government denies ‘watered down’ approach

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood responded to the resignations saying the scope of the inquiry “will not change” and that it will leave “no hiding place” for those involved in the scandal.

In an article for The Times, she vowed the probe “will never be watered down on my watch” – and said it will focus on how “some of the most vulnerable people in this country” were abused “at the hands of predatory monsters”.

The home secretary also insisted the inquiry will be “robust and rigorous” – with the power to compel witnesses, and examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders.

Speaking to Times Radio on Wednesday, Ms Goddard said the Home Secretary’s statement was “reassuring” but reiterated that Ms Phillips should resign.

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Environment

Tesla relaunches Model S/X in Europe after a 3-month break

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Tesla relaunches Model S/X in Europe after a 3-month break

Tesla has relaunched Model S and Model X in Europe after a 3-month break in taking orders for its two flagship vehicles on the old continent.

In June, Tesla unveiled another minor refresh of the Model S and Model X.

Considering Tesla fumbled the rollout of the previous refresh in Europe, with significantly delayed deliveries, the automaker addressed the issue this time by stopping to take orders for the Model S and Model X in Europe starting in July.

Today, Tesla reopened orders for new Model S and Model X vehicles in European markets.

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In France, the Model S starts at 109,990 € while the Model X starts at 114,990 €.

Tesla is quoting a start of deliveries in November.

Here are Tesla’s listed changes to the Model S and Model X with this mild update:

  • Up to 744 km of range (Model S Long Range)
  • Even quieter inside
  • New wheel designs + exterior styling
  • Front fascia camera for better visibility
  • Dynamic ambient lighting all around the interior
  • Smoother ride thanks to new bushings & suspension design
  • Adaptive driving beams
  • More space for 3rd row occupants & cargo in Model X

While being Tesla’s flagship vehicles, the programs have been somewhat neglected over the last 5 years, and sales have been in a steady decline.

The automaker even stopped making the vehicles for RHD markets.

Electrek’s Take

Nice to see Tesla learning from its mistakes.

For those who don’t remember, the rollout of the previous refresh was terrible. Tesla took orders for almost a year, but it waited for almost another year to start deliveries due to problems ramping up production.

Now, it appears that deliveries in Europe will occur within 6 months of the refresh and within weeks of ordering for most people.

That said, the mid-cycle refresh has been considered mild and isn’t likely to have a significant impact on sales.

I wouldn’t expect more than a few thousand Model S/X sales in Europe per year.

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Technology

Airbnb CEO Chesky says ChatGPT isn’t ‘quite robust enough’ to integrate into travel app

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Airbnb CEO Chesky says ChatGPT isn't 'quite robust enough' to integrate into travel app

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky on new product updates, integrating AI and state of AI tech race

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said he wants to integrate ChatGPT artificial intelligence capabilities into the travel platform but the software isn’t ready.

“The [software development kit] wasn’t quite robust enough for the things we want to do,” he told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday.

Chesky said the company would “probably” want to integrate ChatGPT eventually.

Airbnb on Tuesday launched a series of new social features, such as direct messaging, to its platform. The update also included a personalized version of the company’s chatbot launched earlier this year that can cancel and change reservations for users in North America.

In an interview with Bloomberg this week, Chesky said that the OpenAI chatbot isn’t “quite ready” for integration with Airbnb. He said the model was made using 13 different chatbots and that Airbnb is depending heavily on Alibaba’s Qwen model.

Chesky, who is a close friend of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, said it’s only the beginning of the AI revolution and he expects the technology to fuel a consumer app craze over the next few years.

“We’re all going to have to work together,” he said. “AI is going to lift up a lot of companies. If they want to vertically integrate every single thing, that’s going to be very, very difficult.”

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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