California, long celebrated for its economic opportunities, scenic beauty, and cultural influence, is now facing a significant demographic shift. Recent studies and reports reveal that more people are leaving the Golden State than at any point in its modern history, raising critical questions about the future of the nation’s most populous state.
Record Numbers Leaving California
According to the latest census data, over 690,100 people left California between 2022 and 2023—a continuation of the outbound migration trend that accelerated during the pandemic.
While just over 422,000 people moved into California during the same period, the net loss remains substantial, marking a sharp contrast to the state’s historic growth. This exodus is the highest on record, with the number of residents moving to other states peaking during the pandemic and remaining elevated since.
Where Are Californians Going?
The top destinations for former Californians include Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington. Nearly 94,000 people relocated to Texas alone between 2022 and 2023, followed by about 54,200 moving to Arizona, and over 40,000 each to Nevada and Washington.
These states attract Californians with their lower cost of living, more affordable housing, and, in some cases, no state income tax.
Cities Leading the Exodus
Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area have led the state in outbound moves for the fourth consecutive year, according to moving trends reports.
Other California cities with high move-out rates include San Diego, Stockton-Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield. In fact, seven of the top 20 U.S. cities for move-outs are located in California, underscoring the widespread nature of the trend.
Why Are People Leaving?
Several key factors are driving this mass migration:
High Cost of Living: California’s cost of living is nearly 50% above the national average. Median home values hover around $773,300, with typical mortgage payments reaching $5,500 per month—far above what many residents can afford, given a median household income of about $96,334.
Housing Affordability Crisis: Housing prices in California are nearly double the national average, making homeownership unattainable for many families.
High Taxes: The state’s income tax rate is the highest in the nation at 12.3%, compounded by steep sales and gas taxes.
Economic and Job Market Pressures: California’s job growth rate has lagged behind the national average, with strict regulations and high costs impacting key industries.
Natural Disasters: Recent wildfires and other natural disasters have displaced tens of thousands, adding to residents’ concerns about safety and stability.
Remote Work: The rise of remote work has enabled more people to leave expensive cities and states in search of better quality of life elsewhere.
Is the Trend Slowing or Reversing?
Despite the ongoing exodus, there are signs that the net loss is slowing. California’s population grew by 108,000 people in 2024, reaching 39.5 million as of January 2025, according to the California Department of Finance.
This growth is attributed mainly to rising international migration and a slight rebound in birth rates, though the number of residents moving to other states remains historically high. Thirty of the state’s 58 counties saw population increases in 2024, with the largest gains in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, and San Joaquin counties.
Conclusion
California’s demographic landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. While the state continues to attract newcomers from abroad and remains a global economic powerhouse, the persistent outflow of residents—driven by high costs, housing challenges, and economic pressures—poses significant challenges for policymakers and communities. As the state grapples with these issues, the question remains: Can California adapt to retain its population and sustain the California Dream for future generations?
Source:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/most-people-leaving-california-moved-to-these-states-2024-10
[2] https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-population/
[3] https://www.pods.com/blog/people-leaving-california
[4] https://www.foxla.com/news/california-cities-people-move-out-most-study
[5] https://www.livenowfox.com/news/2025-moving-trends-pods-report
[6] https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/05/01/californias-population-increases-again/
[7] https://www.rubyhome.com/blog/leaving-california/
[8] https://www.ppic.org/publication/whats-behind-californias-recent-population-decline-and-why-it-matters/
[9] https://www.viprealtyca.com/blog/leaving-california.html
[10] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-01/californias-big-cities-are-slowly-bouncing-back-new-population-data-shows
[11] https://www.kqed.org/news/12038968/californias-population-rebounding-san-francisco-different-story
[12] https://philomathnews.com/californians-are-leaving-for-these-states/
[13] https://www.governing.com/workforce/californias-long-term-population-slide-threatens-its-economy
[14] https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/california-moving-statistics/
[15] https://dof.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/352/Forecasting/Demographics/Documents/E-1_2025_Press_Release.pdf
[16] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/people-leaving-california-by-state
[17] https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2025-04-01/california-population-census-out-migration
[18] https://siepr.stanford.edu/publications/policy-brief/californias-population-drain
[19] https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/02/californias-aging-populationtiny/