AOC claims working class residents fleeing NYC because it’s too expensive

Working class residents are fleeing New York City because it’s too expensive, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Monday.

The congresswoman made the claim during a discussion of the migrant crisis and Mayor Eric Adams’ controversial across-the-board proposed budget cuts that would shrink the police force and trim spending on schools, libraries and cultural arts programs.

During her tele-town hall meeting, she wondered why the mayor and council weren’t looking to boost taxes on the wealthy — such as pricey pied-à-terre or luxury crash pads for the jet-setting ultra rich.

She said the data doesn’t back up claims that the wealthiest residents will leave over raising their taxes, though recent census data indicates more high-income New Yorkers including billionaires have moved out.

“But guess what? The people who are moving out of the city are not by and large the wealthiest people. They’re the working class. They can’t afford to live here any more,” she said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes working class New Yorkers are leaving the Big Apple because it’s too expensive. AFP via Getty Images

Recent census data indicates more high-income New Yorkers, including billionaires, have moved out. Getty Images

That’s often the argument that conservatives make, arguing that New York’s higher costs ranging from taxes to housing to regulations pushes New Yorkers of all means to move to lower-tax, lower cost states such as Florida.