A new study has now revealed that Texas is the go-to destination for relocation for Gen Z California residents
Californians have moved to Texas for some time. In 2023, more than 100,000 Californian residents left the Golden State for the Lone Star State-more than double the rate of Texans moving to California. The influx of Californians has taken root in Texas, especially in places like Austin, now home to former California companies Tesla and Oracle and comedians like Joe Rogan. Now younger Californians are flocking to the state, keeping that trend alive.
About 10.7 million Gen Z adults, or 23.9% of that group, relocated to a different state in 2024, according to LendingTree research based on the most recent Census Bureau statistics. Overall, 58,109 Gen Z adults left California in 2024, including 19,287 who relocated to Texas. Overall, Texas received the 7th most Gen Z exiles from around the country. South Carolina came in first for total number of Gen Z movers.
Compared with Millennials (14%), Gen X (7.2%), and Baby Boomers (5.2%), Gen Z has a significantly higher rate of interstate migration.
According to the report’s methodology, LendingTree researchers analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey’s one-year public use microdata to estimate where Gen Z adults moved.
Housing costs are a major factor. While many parts of Texas offer lower property costs and rents, along with good job opportunities, California has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. According to Homeia, the median price for a house in California sits around $775,000 to $782,000, while Texas’s statewide median home price is approximately $330,000 to $341,500.
The cost of living in Texas is also significantly lower than California, costing roughly 35% less overall than California when housing is included. The rift narrows to about 18% for everyday expenses excluding rent.
Earlier this year, a separate study ranked Texas as one of the highest net gainers of Gen Z residents from other states in the country. The study from MovingPlace stated that 5,081 Gen Z individuals moved in, while 3,555 moved out. The cities and areas with the largest influx of Gen Zers in Texas were the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos area, the greater Houston area, and the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex.
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This article originally published at California Gen Z exiles moving to Texas at high rate.