The departure of affluent residents from major cities is fundamentally altering urban economic structures. Tax base erosion is accelerating as high-net-worth individuals relocate, reducing municipal revenue streams critical for public services. This exodus also diminishes consumer spending in local businesses, from luxury retail to premium dining, creating a cascading effect on commercial real estate values and employment. Downtown retail vacancies are rising sharply as luxury storefronts empty, signaling a broader decline in urban economic vitality that may persist for years.