Bethenny Frankel Declares Miami the "New LA" as Wealthy Americans Flock to Florida

The "Real Housewives of New York City" star says Miami has replaced cultural hubs like New York and LA as the destination for the rich and famous.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Former "Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethenny Frankel has joined a wave of wealthy Americans moving from cultural hubs like New York and Los Angeles to Florida, particularly the Miami area. Frankel says Miami has become the "new LA" as a destination for the rich and famous, with an influx of billionaires and social media influencers driving a booming real estate market and changing the city's cultural landscape.

Why it matters

Frankel's move to Florida reflects a broader trend of Americans, especially the wealthy, leaving major coastal cities for the Sun Belt, particularly Florida. This migration is reshaping the cultural and economic dynamics of cities like Miami, which is emerging as a new hub for the rich and famous.

The details

Frankel, 55, relocated to Florida in 2025 with her teenage daughter, joining a wave of New Yorkers heading to South Florida. Data shows New York recorded the second-largest population loss of any US city in the fourth quarter of 2025, with about 45% of outbound New Yorkers heading southward, including 7% to Miami alone. Miami now has the most million-dollar property listings in the US, surpassing even New York. The influx of new wealth has changed Miami's cultural landscape, with the city becoming a hub for social media influencers and high-end shopping, art, and nightlife.

  • Frankel relocated to Florida in 2025.
  • A January 2026 Bank of America Institute study found New York recorded the second-largest population loss of any US city in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • Realtor.com's December 2025 Luxury Housing Report found the Miami metro area had the highest number of million-dollar listings in the country.

The players

Bethenny Frankel

A former "Real Housewives of New York City" star, entrepreneur, and social media influencer who moved from New York to Florida in 2025.

Ken Griffin

The CEO of Citadel, who has relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

Jeff Bezos

The Amazon founder, who has relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

Larry Robbins

The CEO of Glenview Capital Management, who has relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

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What they’re saying

“Miami is the new LA. In the way that LA was the cool place to be, and aspirational people wanted to be there.”

— Bethenny Frankel (Business Insider)

“Rich people are moving down here. Miami's exploded, real-estate-wise.”

— Bethenny Frankel (Business Insider)

“It means shopping, art, nightlife, the real-estate cool factor. Everybody went where the money is. The money is dictating what's happening on social media, and what's happening that's cool.”

— Bethenny Frankel (Business Insider)

The takeaway

Bethenny Frankel's move to Florida reflects a broader trend of wealthy Americans leaving major coastal cities like New York and Los Angeles for the Sun Belt, particularly Florida. This migration is reshaping the cultural and economic dynamics of cities like Miami, which is emerging as a new hub for the rich and famous.