Californians keep leaving for other states. Here’s where they’re going and why
California is still seeing more people leave for other states than arrive from them. The biggest draw is often affordability, and Texas remains one of the clearest examples.
That shift matters well beyond California. It is reshaping housing demand, labor markets and tax bases across the West and the Sun Belt.
Texas stays a top destination
Texas has remained one of the top landing spots for former Californians in recent migration data from the U.S. Census Bureau and moving industry reports. Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Florida also regularly rank high, but Texas stands out because of its large job market, lower median home prices and lack of a state income tax. Metro areas such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio have absorbed a large share of those movers.
For many households, the math is simple. A family selling a home in coastal California can often buy a larger house in Texas for less money, while also cutting monthly costs tied to rent, insurance and taxes. Employers have also expanded in Texas in technology, health care, energy and logistics, giving movers more confidence that they can find work after relocating.
Why people say they are leaving
Housing is the biggest factor cited by economists and residents. California’s median home prices and rents remain far above the national average, and that gap has persisted even as the state added some housing and saw some cooling in certain local markets. For middle-income families, the cost of buying a first home can still feel out of reach in many parts of the state.
Taxes and day-to-day expenses are also part of the picture. California has some of the nation’s highest gasoline prices and utility costs, and many residents say everyday bills have become harder to manage. Remote and hybrid work have made moving easier too, letting people keep California-linked jobs or salaries while living somewhere cheaper.
The trend is changing both California and the states gaining residents
The outflow does not mean California is emptying out. It remains the nation’s most populous state and continues to attract international migrants, students and workers in industries such as entertainment, agriculture and technology. But domestic outmigration has been strong enough in recent years to affect school enrollment, local planning and the political conversation about affordability.
Receiving states are feeling the effects as well. Texas cities have seen rising home prices and heavier traffic as demand grows, even while remaining cheaper than many California markets. Economists say the migration pattern reflects a broader national reset, with Americans following jobs, cheaper housing and more flexible lifestyles, while California faces pressure to build more homes and lower the cost of staying put.
