In recent years, California has experienced an outflow of residents to other states. Due to expensive housing costs, high taxes and higher prices in the state, many Californians have moved to places such as Texas, Florida and Arizona, citing more affordable living conditions. Media outlets around the country have been calling this trend the California “mass exodus.”
Such language became apparent during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, where the state experienced its largest population decline of around 190,000 people, causing the state to lose a congressional seat in the House of Representatives. Along with many deaths due to the virus, the rise of remote work and lockdowns prompted many Californians to move out of cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles to less expensive areas.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, net domestic migration out of the state was 355,643 people meaning that 355,643 more people left the state than migrated in. This trend in net migration out of the state has been happening since 1989, but has peaked during the pandemic, bringing more attention to this California “mass exodus.”
Currently, the California population has rebounded to 39.5 million people, which is around the same population as pre pandemic levels. During the pandemic, California lost a total of 358,543 people, decreasing the population to around 39.1 million. But in 2023, after the reopening of the economy and the resurgence of in-person work and activities, the population grew by 192,000 people.
Then, in 2024, it increased by approximately 108,000 people. This population growth was driven largely through legal international immigration, which has driven California’s population rebound. Now the fourth largest economy in the world, immigrants are attracted to California’s strong economy and cosmopolitan cities, starting businesses and working in the state’s agricultural, healthcare, and technology industries. Natural births are also aiding growth, outpacing the number of deaths in the state.
However, despite the population growth, net migration out of the state is still happening. In 2023, for example, 91,189 more Californians left the state than other Americans came in. A reason for the migration out of the state is housing availability and affordability in California cities. As of April 2025, the average home in California is about $904,210, while the median in the United States is $403,600. In the states where most Californians are moving to, such as Texas and Arizona, the price for a home is around $303,321 and $429,120 respectively.
Now, in Santa Clara county, a person in a one-person household can qualify for low income if they make $111,700 per year; in San Francisco county and San Mateo, $109,700 is the threshold. In Los Angeles, a person who makes $84,850 per year can be considered low income. Living in California’s cities has gotten expensive, and many people are looking to relocate for more affordable lifestyles.
As California’s economy continues to evolve, this “exodus” of people moving out of the state will likely continue unless policymakers find solutions to address this affordability crisis.
