Jillian Lovato loves living in Orange County, CA, but she hates the area’s high home prices.
“My husband Jamie and I knew we would never be able to buy the house we wanted in California,” Jillian explained. “We feel like we’re going to be stuck renting for the rest of our lives.”
So in 2021, they decided to move to another country—and while many places are cheaper than California, the couple chose Texas because of Jamie’s job as a golf instructor, because “weather conditions will play a big role in his time. work.”
After traveling around the country, he decided to move to Austin, TX, because it “felt the most like us.”
The couple has since bought their dream home there, where they and their dog have access to nearby woods and local creeks — perks they wouldn’t have had in their former California town.
“Life has been so different in a positive way,” Lovato said. “While there are many things we miss about California, moving to Austin allowed us to fulfill our dream of owning a home together.”
The ‘Texafornia’ trend: Why Californians are moving to Texas—and other states
This Californian turned Texan is hardly the only one looking for affordable housing. Californians sick of the state’s high home prices are shopping around the country for better real estate deals.
Texas is the most popular destination for Californians, with an estimated 102,000 Golden State residents moving to the Lone Star State by 2022, according to Texas Realtors’ 2024 Texas Relocation Report.
And many others want to move there. Data from Realtor.com between April and June 2024 shows that 8.1% of home buyers browsing Texas listings are from California. The growing similarity between the two states even led to the term “Texafornia.”
While Texas may top the list of Californians’ most desired relocation destinations, Realtor.com data also shows that they read the most listings in Arizona (7.5%), Nevada (7.4%), Florida (6.7%), Oregon (5.8). %), Washington (4.8%), Tennessee (4.7%), Illinois (4.1%), Idaho (3.5%), and Missouri (2.9%).
While the affordability of homes for sale in these states varies, they are all relatively cheap compared to California.
“Looking for affordability is one of the main reasons Californians buy in the state,” said Realtor.com senior economist Jiayi Xu, who pointed out that the median listing price in California in July 2024 ($777,900) was nearly double that of Texas ( $380,000).
Ted Wilsonof Residential Strategies, a Dallas-based market research firm, said Texas’ lack of state income tax, strong job growth, and low cost of living have also led to a “strong surge” in migration from California—as well as Chicago and the East Coast.
“In addition to high prices, high insurance costs such as for wildfire can also increase the housing burden and force people to move away from California,” Xu added.
and Hamilton Lombarddemographer at the University of Virginia, noted that “California is very expensive, just about anywhere others in the country are more affordable. … So the spread is huge for people who want to leave the country.
How work-from-home policies have helped Californians relocate
Julie Johnson from Southern California is moving to Las Vegas in 2023.
“I know my money will be more here,” he said. “At the time, I was working remotely, and I know some of my old colleagues have moved here during the end of the (COVID-19) pandemic.”
Nevada, another favorite destination for Californians to migrate, absorbed 369,878 Californians from 2020 to 2023, according to driver’s license surrender data obtained from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Johnson said housing in Vegas is “definitely more affordable” than in Southern California, adding that living in a one-bedroom, one-bedroom house costs under $1,200 a month—including utilities. While he knew to expect a lower cost of living, he was surprised by the abundance of high-paying job opportunities in the city, after losing his job.
“I found a job that paid better,” he reports.
As for the future, Johnson said she’s glad she found the courage to move out of California but isn’t sure if she sees herself staying in Nevada forever. He even hinted that he might consider settling in the Pacific Northwest.
“Vegas has been good for me, so we’ll see where it goes,” she said.
Why warm weather countries remain popular
Florida and California have a lot in common: sun, beaches, even Disney theme parks. So it’s no surprise that many Californians are moving to the Sunshine State as well. Data shows that 37,000 Californians are moving to Florida in 2021. In 2022, more than 50,000 Californians will follow.
Vanterpool askedreal estate agent in Miami, said he sees “a significant” number of transplants coming from California as well as other parts of the country.
“People are moving from states like New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and even as far as Washington,” he said. “This trend reflects a broader national shift in which individuals are seeking a better quality of life, more space, and affordability, which Florida continues to offer.”
Vanterpool said that many people are attracted to Florida because of the relatively low housing costs, the lack of state income tax, and-of course-the pleasant weather throughout the year.
“Florida’s stunning beaches, charming cities, and diverse recreational opportunities offer something for everyone, making it a top choice for families and retirees alike,” he said.
Another warm weather state on Californians’ wish list is Tennessee: According to Census data, 22,000 Californians moved to Tennessee between July 2021 and July 2022.
Kayla Gunturbroker/owner of CENTURY 21 Platinum Properties in Clarksville, TN, said he expects the trend to continue.
“Tennessee, with its lower cost of living and affordable real estate prices, has become an attractive destination (for Californians),” he said, adding cities like Clarksville, featured in Money’s 50 Best Cities to Live in the US. , is particularly desirable, as it offers “a mix of urban amenities, natural beauty, and lower home ownership costs.”
Why ‘affordable’ is a relative term
While Portland, OR, is not known for cheap real estate, it has been another favorite destination for Californians. In 2022, 36,429 Californians will move to Oregon, according to the US Census Bureau.
Kevin Kretzerwho moved from California to Portland in 2023, said it is still less expensive than his former Southern California home.
“I occasionally see dog-friendly apartments in my hometown, and I can’t find a dog-friendly one-bedroom for what we pay in Portland,” she said.
But affordability aside, the draw to Oregon is the culture: the outdoor lifestyle, the food, and the people. After a year in a new country, Kretzer is enjoying the move and hopes to be in Portland for a long time—and is already looking to buy a home.
“While it might not be possible in Southern California, it might be something I can see here,” he said.