Moving to California statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to California?

In 2023, 422,075 people moved to California, while 690,127 moved out. This represents the largest net loss for any state in the country — a 268,052 reduction in residents. In fact, California has consistently been losing more people than any other state since 2020. Between July of 2020 and 2023, the state lost 433,000 people.

This massive decline is largely due to the high cost of living, with 34% of Californians considering an out-of-state move due to high housing costs. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, California ranked last among America’s most desired states for movers.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in California

California ranks as the 51st best U.S. state to move to in 2024, according to weighted data on factors like affordability and safety. Over time, the rising cost of living has resulted in this dead-last ranking, with more people leaving the Golden State than any other. Despite this, there are still a few popular move-in destinations.

Roseville City attracted the most new residents, adding 11,344 between 2020 and 2023. Lathrop City gained similar numbers but with the highest percentage increase in population (38.9% growth). Much of this popularity may be explained by remote working trends, as all of the most popular move-in destinations, with the exception of Bakersfield, are smaller towns or cities less than an hour from major California hubs. Therefore, these communities are more affordable for movers, while still providing access to major city centers. For example, the median monthly rent as of 2023 in San Francisco was $2,620, while the median monthly rent in Lathrop City totaled $1,797.

With a population of 413,381, Bakersfield is the only major California city gaining population. The city has seen a slight growth of 2.2% in recent years, avoiding the population decline faced by most of the state. The primary reason cited for moving to Bakersfield is more affordable housing compared to the southern portion of the state.

The top five California cities people moved to between 2020 and 2023 are as follows:

Why do people move to California?

While most people aren’t choosing to move to California in 2024, there are still reasons why the state attracts newcomers. First and foremost, the Golden State’s pleasant year-round climate has attracted movers for decades. Mild weather conditions, combined with the lack of cold, snowy winters in most regions, make it an idyllic region compared to many other U.S. destinations.

Opportunity is another major reason people move to California. After all, despite losing population, the state still has the largest economy in the nation. California residents can expect to make 22% more than the U.S. median household income, with the largest industries including education and health services, trade, transportation, and utilities, and professional and business services. These three industries combined account for over 50% of the state’s nonfarm workers.

California housing statistics

With a median rent price of $2,442.81 and a median home sale price of $848,300, renters and homeowners in California can expect to pay more than double the national median for housing.

However, California’s property tax rate of 0.75% is far less than that of New York or Texas, placing it 19th nationally. States with similar rates include Montana (0.74%) and North Carolina (0.82%).

In 2021, the average property owner in Placer County — where Roseville City is — paid $4,918 in annual property taxes. In general, the average property tax paid varies greatly by county in California, with residents in Marin County paying an average of $9,431 annually, while those in Modoc County pay much less at $1,351.

Cost-of-living statistics in California

California’s cost-of-living index is 134.5, giving it the third-highest cost of living in the U.S. The state has higher-than-average gas prices, with the average cost per gallon being $4.87, or 49% higher than the U.S. average of $3.26. Exceptionally high gas prices are, in part, due to California trying to make itself a more green state. With recycling and public transportation initiatives, it ranks as the 17th greenest state in 2024.

Somewhat assisting with the high cost of living, the Golden State also has one of the highest median household incomes in the U.S. at $91,777. That means the typical Californian household earns nearly 22% more than the U.S. average of $75,358. Despite this, the unemployment rate of 5.2% is a full percentage point higher than the national average.

California’s high cost of living can be attributed to taxes, zoning law issues impacting home prices and more. Housing is more than double the national median here, and the high price for goods and services has driven many residents and prospective movers away.

Who lives in California?

California is the largest state in the U.S. by population, with 38,965,193 residents as of 2023. This represents a population decline of 75,423 people when compared to 2022.

California’s population is split fairly evenly male and female, with women accounting for 50.1% of the population and men accounting for 49.9%. In 2023, around 19.4 million California residents were male, and 19.5 million were female.

On average, the Golden State’s population is also slightly younger (38.2 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. However, residents are fairly equally spread across most age demographics, up to age 65. The most prominent age demographic in the state is those between 25 to 29 years old, accounting for more than 2.9 million residents, or 7.6% of the total population.

White Americans make up the largest share of California residents (70.4%) — over 27.4 million people. California also has a large share of Hispanic Americans at 40.4% of the population, followed by Asian and Black Americans, at 16.5% and 6.5%, respectively.

Tips for moving to California

Not sure how to start your move to California? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Prepare for the cost of living

California has the third-highest cost of living in the U.S., with major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego costing even more than the average. While there are rural areas in the state that offer more affordable alternatives, it’s important to research housing prices, taxes and other expenses before your move. Websites like CA.gov provide helpful tools to compare costs in various regions and plan your budget accordingly.

2. Understand insurance requirements

California requires residents to have both auto and health insurance, with the threat of penalty for those who don’t. While the state does offer free or affordable health care options based on your income and disability status, it’s important to look into the health marketplace before your move. Visit Covered California for more information.

3. Learn about the job market

Despite rising costs, California’s booming economy still offers countless job opportunities. For nonfarm workers, the technology and entertainment industries are especially promising. Utilize resources like the California Employment Development Department to explore local job trends and opportunities.

4. Research transportation options

California is a massive state, but there are many public transportation options available in urban areas. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have extensive bus, train and subway networks. However, traveling by personal vehicle is still the most common method of transportation. Check the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) website for public transit options and traffic updates in your new area.

5. Be aware of natural hazards

Though California is well known for its pleasant, mild weather in most regions, it’s still prone to certain natural hazards. Earthquakes, wildfires and droughts are common and can have devastating seasonal impacts. Earthquake preparedness is especially important given the state’s location on several fault lines. For more information on preparing for environmental emergencies, visit the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

6. Embrace the cultural diversity

California attracts movers from all over the world, creating an environment of rich cultural diversity. From the multicultural neighborhoods of Los Angeles and the Bay Area to quaint valley towns, the state offers a wide array of cultural experiences. Make your move even more fun and exciting by exploring California’s diverse cuisine, festivals, arts and more.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to California, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% and 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.