Residents Are Fleeing California, but It’s the Top Destination for Movers From 6 States

Americans are moving South.

Between 2021 and 2022, eight of the 10 states with the highest net migration (more people moving in than moving out) were in the South. Of these, Florida and Texas were the only ones with a net gain of at least 100,000 residents.

After looking at our findings, stick around for expert tips on making a move across state lines, including how to minimize potential moving debts.

Key findings

• Florida had the highest net migration between 2021 and 2022. During this period, nearly 739,000 Americans moved to Florida, while just less than 490,000 left — a net increase of more than 249,000. The highest number of new Florida residents — more than 91,000 — came from New York, while Floridians most commonly moved to bordering Georgia.
• Texas had the second-highest net migration. Between 2021 and 2022, Texas had about 174,000 more move in than move out. California was the top state for Americans moving to and from Texas: While just about 42,000 Texans moved to California, more than 102,000 California residents headed to Texas.
• Eight of the 10 states with the highest net migration were in the South. Arizona (No. 4) and Connecticut (No. 7) were the only states outside of the South that cracked the top 10. Of the 10, three had residents most commonly moving from Florida, while New York and California occupied two top move-out spots each.
• Americans most commonly left expensive states. California had the highest net decrease in residents between 2021 and 2022, losing nearly 342,000. New York followed, losing about 244,000. Although less expensive, tax-burdened Illinois rounded out the top three, losing about 116,000 residents.
• Despite losing the most residents, California was the top destination for movers from six states. Beyond Texas, Americans from Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii and Utah most commonly moved to California. Notably, Oregon was the only state bordering California where the top destination for movers wasn’t California. Meanwhile, Florida was the top destination for movers from nine states.

Florida had the highest net increase in residents between 2021 and 2022

Across the U.S., the Sunshine State is attracting the most residents. Between 2021 and 2022, Florida had a net increase of more than 249,000 Americans — with nearly 739,000 Americans moving to Florida and just less than 490,000 leaving.

According to LendingTree senior economist Jacob Channel, it’s understandable why Florida might appear enticing to movers — though it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

“Florida is an often affordable state where there’s typically a lot to do, plenty of places to eat and year-round warm weather,” he says. “That said, Florida isn’t some sort of perfect utopia where everyone should live. The state has plenty of problems, and if it doesn’t start putting more effort toward supporting lower-wage workers and building more affordable housing, it’s probably only a matter of time before people stop flocking there.”

Of course, retirement also plays a role. With no state income tax and a relatively average cost of living — according to 2023 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) — Florida has long been a top retirement destination. In fact, Florida needs its retirees to keep its population growing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showed Florida had about 261,000 deaths and just 216,000 births in 2021, for a net loss of around 45,000 before migration. That’s the highest net loss of the natural population of any state.

Following Florida, Texas had the next highest net increase from migration. In the period analyzed, Texas had about 174,000 more residents move in than move out. Like Florida, Texas doesn’t have a personal income tax, nor does it have a corporate income tax. Coupled with its lower-than-average cost of living, it’s understandable why Texas may be appealing to so many Americans. Notably, Texas had the largest net natural population increase of any state, gaining nearly 106,000 residents when comparing births and deaths — a stark contrast to Florida’s net natural population decrease.

As far as who Texas attracts most, California residents top the list — but many Texas residents are similarly drawn to California. Just about 42,000 Texas residents moved to California from 2021 to 2022, but more than 102,000 California residents moved to Texas.

In total, 32 states had a net population gain from migration between 2021 and 2022.

Southern states dominated the top 10 list

As for where residents are heading, many are making their way South. Across the 10 states with the highest net migration between 2021 and 2022, eight were Southern states. Of those outside the South, Arizona and Connecticut ranked No. 4 and No. 7, respectively.

Why the South? Channel says Southern states are among the most affordable areas in the nation. And, unlike some similarly affordable Midwestern states, they don’t typically get much, if any, snow.

“On top of that, while some people are attracted to colder parts of the country, there’s no getting around how difficult snow and freezing temperatures can make life,” he says. “Something as basic as driving to the store can be all but impossible with too much snow on the ground. And, as you age, doing things like shoveling your driveway becomes more and more difficult.”

Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data between 2021 and 2022.

Of the top 10, many had residents moving from other Southern states. Specifically, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee had residents most commonly moving from Florida, while South Carolina had residents most commonly moving from North Carolina. Alabama had residents most commonly moving from Georgia, and Oklahoma had residents most commonly moving from Texas.

Outside of this, Florida and Connecticut most commonly had residents moving from New York, while Texas and Arizona most commonly had residents moving from California.

Full rankings

Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data between 2021 and 2022.

Americans most commonly left California, New York and Illinois

On the other end of the list, Americans most commonly left expensive states between 2021 and 2022. Specifically, California ranked first. While nearly 476,000 residents moved into California, nearly 818,000 left — a net decrease of about 342,000.

According to another LendingTree study on moving pressures, California was the top state where adults were most likely to feel pressured to move, at 28.75%.

New York followed, losing about 244,000 residents. Both California and New York are among the most expensive states in which to live, with the cost of living at least 25 percentage points more expensive than the U.S. average in 2023, according to MERIC.

Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data between 2021 and 2022.

Illinois followed in a distant third, with a net loss of 116,000 residents. While Illinois isn’t quite as expensive as California and New York, taxes there are higher than in many neighboring states — which can incentivize some people to leave. In 2022, New York had a state and local effective tax rate of 15.9%, California had a rate of 13.5% and Illinois had a rate of 12.9%, according to the Tax Foundation, all within the 10 highest.

Of course, Channel says, not every city in these states is going to be prohibitively expensive. And it’s worth pointing out that even if they saw a net decrease in residents from 2021 to 2022, all three states remain among the most populous in the U.S.

In all, 19 states had a net population loss between 2021 and 2022.

California was the top destination for movers from 6 states

Despite losing the most residents, California was the top destination for movers from six states: Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii and Utah. Notably, all six states also most commonly attracted California residents. Of the states that border the Golden State, Oregon was the only one where residents weren’t most likely to move to California.

With hubs like San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles, it’s not entirely surprising that California attracts so many residents. In fact, young college graduates have long been the most likely to move to California, mostly for job opportunities, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Additionally, PPIC finds that those who move to California typically have higher incomes than those who move away, meaning they’re more likely to withstand the high cost of living in the state.

Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data between 2021 and 2022.

Meanwhile, Florida was the top destination for movers from nine states — the most of any state. Of these states, four also most commonly attracted Florida residents.

Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data between 2021 and 2022.

Considering a move this year? Here’s what experts recommend

Moving is a stressful — often life-changing — decision. And it’s one many have considered: According to a LendingTree survey on moving, 31% of Americans were contemplating a move in 2023.

Moving is a decision, Channel says, that shouldn’t be taken lightly. For those considering a move across state lines, he recommends the following:

• Do your research and don’t rush. “The grass on the other side of the fence often looks a lot greener than it is,” Channel says. “Leaving one state for another might seem like a good idea, but it doesn’t always work out. If you’re in a rush to move to a new state and don’t thoroughly research its positives and negatives, you could find that your new area isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be and end up making yourself miserable.”
• Make sure you’ve got a job and housing lined up. “This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s probably not a good idea to move to a new state without first having a job and place to live there,” he says. “If you work a remote job, be sure your employer is OK with you moving to a new state. You don’t want them finding out you live in a new area and then using that as a justification for firing you.”
• Don’t underestimate the cost of moving. “The costs associated with moving even a short distance can quickly add up, and moving to a new state is usually anything but cheap,” Channel says. “Before you set your heart on moving to a new state, be sure you can afford it.” If you don’t have the cash on hand but know you can pay it back, a moving loan may be a good option.
• Prepare emotionally. “When we talk about moving, we often focus on the financial aspects, like how much movers will cost or whether you’ll be able to find a new job in your new area,” he says. “But there’s also an emotional element to moving. If you want to move to a new state, be sure you’re truly prepared to leave your current area and the family and friends who live there. Remember, a new job or a lower cost of living that a new state could bring might not necessarily be worth it if it requires you to strain your relationships with your loved ones.”

Methodology

LendingTree researchers analyzed U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration data to rank the states with the highest net migration (people moving in minus people moving out).

Specifically, we compared the number of people who immigrated to a state to those who emigrated from a state between 2021 and 2022. We ranked the states from highest to lowest based on net change.