Press Release: 4/24/2026

Chamber Foundation Shares Results of 2026 Young Residents Survey

 



 



April 22, 2026



Media Contacts:



Casey Baines cbaines@bostonchamber.com



Mattie Holloway mholloway@bostonchamber.com



Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Young Residents Survey Finds 20- to 30-Year-Olds Want Local Leaders to Prioritize Housing, Health Care Accessibility, & Quality Jobs 



BOSTON, MA –The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) commissioned the 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 – 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.  



“The Chamber Foundation is committed to the young residents of our region, including their growth, success, and future in Greater Boston. The Foundation’s Young Residents Survey is the premiere tool to help employers, policymakers, and communities understand and strategize ways to retain young residents. The survey data illustrates how certain priorities and opportunities can help more young residents make Greater Boston their home,” said James E. Rooney, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “As young residents continue to lead and shape our city, the Chamber Foundation will continue to elevate opportunities for young residents to strengthen and deepen their roots in Greater Boston.”  



“After the first Young Residents Survey in 2023, the Chamber Foundation issued this follow up survey to continue the urgent work of retaining young residents in Greater Boston. With the continued feedback on the need for community, quality jobs, and a more affordable region that they can call home, the Chamber Foundation is actively working to create a connected community and meaningful workforce development opportunities for our young residents to thrive,” said Amber Haskell, Executive Director, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation.  



Young residents bring vitality and innovation to Greater Boston, building communities and leading our economic growth. However, the region’s affordability continues to be a concern as young residents struggle to seize opportunities that outweigh challenges, like housing and career growth. Competitor states that are more affordable may be appealing to young residents who are eager to find housing to rent or purchase that is more affordable and accessible. 



The 2026 survey reveals that a distressing number of young residents are still planning to leave Greater Boston, and many are being lured to states in the Southeast and Southwest:  




  • 26% of young residents say they are likely to leave Greater Boston in the next five years, which is similar to the 2023 survey results.  




  • Of the respondents who may move, half plan to move within the state of Massachusetts and half plan to move out of state.  




  • Among the young residents considering leaving the Northeast, 46% are looking to move to the Southeast and Southwest.  



When deciding to stay or leave Greater Boston, young residents noted that the most important factors are job availability, cost of rent, safety, and the ability to buy a home. 




  • 79% of young residents surveyed responded that Job Availability is important, 




  • 78% of young residents surveyed responded that the Cost of Rent is important, 




  • 79% of young residents surveyed responded that Safety is important, and 




  • 72% of young residents surveyed responded that the Ability to Buy a Home is important. 



As the region struggles with a housing crisis, young residents across demographics shared concerns regarding housing availability and affordability. When asked about the most urgent issues for local leaders, respondents noted that housing, health care accessibility, and availability of quality jobs should be prioritized. 




  • 50% of young residents surveyed responded that Housing that is Affordable should be a top priority,  




  • 37% of young residents surveyed responded that Health Care Accessibility is a priority, and  




  • 34% of young residents surveyed responded that the Availability of Quality Jobs is a priority. 



There is a concerning decline in satisfaction of day-to-day life:  




  • 79% of young residents report Satisfaction with Day-to-Day Life in Greater Boston in 2026, which decreased from 89% in 2023. 




  • Although there is a decline in day-to-day satisfaction, 64% of young residents report ease in Building Community in 2026, which increased 17% since 2023. 



In terms of careers and professional development, young residents noted an interest in training for advancement, certificate courses, as well as paid apprenticeships in a new field of work: 




  • 66% of young residents would participate in On-the-Job Training for Advancement in Current Field, 




  • 67% of young residents would like to participate in a Certificate Course or Other Education Outside of Work Hours Paid for by the Employee, and 




  • 55% of young residents surveyed responded that they would participate in Paid Apprenticeships or Internships in a New Field of Work  



Conducted in February and March of 2026, the young residents survey includes 600 respondents who are 20 – 30-year-olds living in Greater Boston. For this survey, Greater Boston includes the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk. 



Download the Survey Questions and Results here.  



About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation



Founded in 1984, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) transforms the lives of current and future residents by leveraging the Commonwealth’s untapped talent, championing small businesses, and creating tomorrow’s leaders in support of a 21st century economy. Learn more at Boston Chamber Foundation