Shift in Migration Patterns: Sunshine State Over the Lone Star State
While Texas has traditionally been the top destination for Californians looking to relocate, recent data suggests a changing landscape in migration preferences. Arizona and Florida are witnessing an uptick in the number of Californians calling these states home.
According to statistics released on Thursday, the influx of Californians to Texas – which had been the largest state-to-state migration in the U.S. for the past two years – saw a dip from over 107,000 in 2021 to a little above 102,000 in 2022. This decline aligns with the increasing real estate prices in major Texan cities. In contrast, Florida’s appeal to ex-Californians surged from over 37,000 in 2021 to more than 50,000 in 2022. Similarly, Arizona experienced an increase from over 69,000 to 74,000 during the same period.
Overall, California reported a net loss of over 113,000 residents in 2022. This significant number would have escalated further if not for international migrations and the state’s natural growth from more births than deaths. A staggering 343,000 people packed their bags to leave California for other U.S. states last year, marking the highest exodus for any state.
Manuel Pastor, a Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California, identifies housing costs as the primary driver pushing residents out of California. Given that the state, boasting a population of 39 million, is the most populous in the U.S., these migration patterns are significant and suggest broader socio-economic implications for both California and the states seeing an influx.