California flag map. (Photo: Wikipedia public commons)
California’s Outbound Migration Continues, With Some In-State Diversions
The states with no income taxes gained the greatest wealth, while the states with the highest income taxes lost the most
By Katy Grimes, June 9, 2020 2:30 am
With Antifa and Black Lives Matter riots breaking out across California, some city dwellers are longing for safer neighborhoods, and safer towns. Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer, radicals in BLM and Antifa – which ironically stands for “anti-Fascist” – used Floyd’s death as an opportunity and excuse to wreak havoc.
For many Californians, the final straw came sooner, as more than 691,145 Californians left the state in 2018. Texas nabbed 86,164 former Californians that year, according to an Orange County Register report. “Census Bureau migration data for 2018 shows in raw terms of people moving, the top spot for Californians is Texas, which got 86,164 Californians in 2018. Next came Arizona (68,516), Washington (55,467), Nevada (50,707), and Oregon (43,058). All told, California had the most exits among the state and that wave grew by 4% in a year.”
Now we are starting to see outbound migration from California’s big cities to smaller cities and towns, and to the state’s rural counties – if they even choose to stay in California.
Real Estate agents regularly report trends, and Carol Butler, who owns 50Cabins.com and is a Resort & Second Home Specialist, says that now that people realize that they can work from home, many are choosing to make their primary home in a beautiful place outside of a big city. “I’m selling more primary homes in Tahoe and El Dorado County, and I’m a Resort & Second Home Specialist!” Butler said. “It’s as busy as ever; I just wish we had more inventory! The economy here is surprisingly strong for the Tahoe and surrounding area market.”
Butler said the other benefit is the “perceived safety” outside of big cities. The riots did not make it to El Dorado County, although she said there were a few BLM protesters in South Lake Tahoe – but no violence or destruction.
Butler noted that the cabins and mountain homes she usually sells to second home buyers, are being purchased by primary home buyers now. “And those sellers are leaving California!”
We know why California companies leave for other states: Chief Executive Magazine reports year after year that when CEOs across the country are surveyed, they name California as the worst state in the country in which to have to do business. California has the highest-in-the-nation taxes, one of the highest business tax climates, with the Tax Foundation ranking California at No. 49 – the second worst in the nation, ahead only of New Jersey.
California’s 13.3% income tax rate is the highest marginal tax rate in the nation. And when you add in up to 37% federal taxes, living in California is expensive right off the top, and especially now that we cannot deduct state taxes against the federal.
Sacramento real estate agent Stephen G. reports he is seeing more and more home sellers leaving for other states. Initially the reasons were primarily due to the high cost of living in California. After the statewide lockdown, with schools and businesses closed for months, and then the riots the last two weeks, he said he expects to see more people reaching a tipping point, making the decision to move out of state.
Relocation specialist Joe Vranich, who used to live in California, for years has documented the outbound migration of businesses. “Business-flight appears to have gotten worse since I issued my recent report, ‘Why Companies Leave California’, which found that at least 13,000 companies moved out of state during the 2008-2016 period (the latest available figures),” Vranich wrote for Fox and Hounds last year. “The cost: $76.7 billion in capital was diverted out of California along with 275,000 Jobs – and companies acquired at least 133 million square feet of space elsewhere. All of those findings are greatly understated because relevant information often went unreported in source materials.”
Vranich knows how and why businesses leave California:
“California’s current crop of politicians point to the occasional economic development ‘win’ with pride while ignoring the overall business migration to other states. Let’s be candid about who they are – business-hostile Democrats who’ve never run a business, never raised capital, never built a building, never met a payroll, never arranged for employee health-care policies, never sold a product or service, never competed with lower-priced foreign competitors, and never paid any of the countless taxes and fees imposed by various levels of government.”
“Between 1995 and 2010, millions of Americans moved between the states, taking with them over $2 trillion in adjusted gross incomes,” author Travis Brown says in “How Money Walks: How $2 Trillion Moved Between the States, and Why It Matters.”
“Two trillion dollars is equivalent to the GDP of California, the ninth largest in the world. It’s a lot of money. Some states, like Florida, saw tremendous gains ($86.4 billion), while others, like New York, experienced massive losses ($58.6 billion). People moved, and they took their working wealth with them.”
“Money—and people—moved from high-tax states to low-tax ones. And the tax that seemed to matter the most? The personal income tax. The states with no income taxes gained the greatest wealth, while the states with the highest income taxes lost the most. Why does this matter? Because the robust presence of working wealth is the leading indicator of economic health.”
According to “How Money Walks,” California lost $58.63 billion in annual adjusted gross income.
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December 24, 2019 -
California is ruled by a democrat super majority led by a Governor (who probably imagines himself as the next JFK) are abject politicians/social engineers. My profession allows me to remotely work and just about everyday I contemplate leaving California for many of the facts stated in this article.
I just made the jump. I am also allowed to remotely work, and will be through December. I am banking it will be longer, because of the mess they made by over-hyping COVID19. Now, people can insist on working from home, or make the employer liable if they get sick. Quite a quagmire they’ve set up for us, but we can take advantage, by moving out of the state but still making CA wages.
Be careful with this. Technically your employer needs to be registered to do business in the state you move to. Even if it’s a large corporation, often they aren’t registered in every state. The only way to get around that is to be an independent contractor. If you’re a full time employee you’re risking not only your own taxes being a disaster but also your employer’s. Better to move and get another job. That way you aren’t giving 13% of your money to the state of CA anyway.
Thank you for this information about remote jobs!
Note to Californians. Please don’t wreck the states you move to.
Many from California are moving to Colorado and trying to turn us. Stay in California if you love it so much. Don’t move here and turn us into the same trash.
My dad was once stationed in Colorado and how I wish we had been able to stay there. Now I live in California and hate it!!! You are correct, you do not want Californians emigrating to Colorado!!! Many of these people believe that they are entitled to everything and are some of the most selfish people you could meet. They will likely drive up the costs of your housing and want your government to pay for costs for which they should be responsible. Keep them out at all costs! Unfortunately, I am old now and not likely to make it back to Colorado. I sure do miss it though.
Hi, As a long – term Californian.
Please understand that politicians, elite companies together started making and passing laws, that most native Californians have been against. They have fleeced this state financially, introduced laws to subjugate common sense, and called it progressive thinking. People who are non-citizens are voting here. I have personally seen this happening in my community. The cities are in support of assisting the companies and universities of keeping their low-wage workers (creating a low-income entitlement attitude that everyone owes them ) but give no financial break to us tax-paying citizens. What you might not be thinking about either is that many non-Californian are from other states. Some Californians have bumper stickers that read, ” Thank you for your visit see you next time!” or in other words, go back to where they came from. They are taking our jobs, raising our rents, filling our hospitals (resources), raising our gas prices and food prices, live homeless everywhere (parks, streets, all over), and voting for liberally politicians that give them more “Free stuff” which Californian citizens pay for via HIGH taxes. California is a wonderful place and if you want start praying with us to replace Governor Newsom and the corrupt politicians and their policies. Thanks.
TRYING to???
It’s been turned…
Hopefully Prince Jared has reminded people that it’s not too late to turn Colorado red again ( minus Boulder/Denver which is a lost cause)…
As a Realtor in Idaho we have seen a big uptick in people moving in from California and neighboring states. With more people being able to work remotely its allows people to look for areas with more open spaces and outside activities. I too am a former Californian, although I left when I was a teenager. Idaho has brought me back to what it felt like when I lived as a child in Northern Ca. A slower pace, knowing your neighbors and enjoying life without the hustle and bustle.
I’ll be going on a “vacation” in 1.5 weeks out of state to find a rental to hopefully move in NLT Aug. 1. I’m fortunate enough to not have to sell my place in CA, but I hope the housing market doesn’t crash here. When you have children and realize that CA is just going to attract more and more criminals because of CA’s policies, it’s all about safety. Maybe in a couple years I’ll come back IF we feel it’s safe.
We went to Idaho last week. Then decide move from Ca. It’s on processing.
I just made the jump. I am also allowed to remotely work, and will be through December. I am banking it will be longer, because of the mess they made by over-hyping COVID19. Now, people can insist on working from home, or make the employer liable if they get sick. Quite a quagmire they’ve set up for us, but we can take advantage, by moving out of the state but still making CA wages.
We LEFT two years ago and boy are we happy we got out ahead of the rush. The home sold for a pretty penny and we got a new one that’s huge for half price of then old one in Marin.. Newsom fancies himself as the head of a emerging nation or some such crap. In reality, he’s president of the new Mogadishu and tribal warfare.. Get out folks. Its turning into mad max / Thunderdome. Now the crazies are talking about closing ALL state prisons..
Hi John Steele – I’d like to hear about your move and where you landed. If you’ve followed my series on Leaving California, I’d be interested in writing your story. katy@californiaglobe.com
Just sold my house and moving out. Won’t say where as people are mad us Californians are moving in. Found an awesome spot. Gas 1.67, lakes, streams and 1500 sq. nice newer homes for 170g. lots of trees and hills. Leaving Saturday. They also have 5 golf courses.
Just stop voting Democrat and no one will hate you.
Hi Kirk, we are looking for a place exactly like what you describe! Where is it? I promise we are not crazy Californians! Just want to retire away from the madness.
Couldn’t agree more. I’m outa here in 2 weeks.
I left Long Beach after 19 years because twice I was in an apartment that was sold and we were all evicted. SoCal was weird and mostly fun until speculators started buying up properties after 2008 and things got aggressively greedy and angry. I say this being completely against anything marxist. Everyone in every direction started to lose their minds. I’m glad I’m now in a nice and quiet area on the east coast.
Well, it’s not the Marxists who are buying up property and evicting tenants. It’s the capitalists.
We left CA at 3:20pm on June 20, 2018 and moved to Colorado Springs. Colorado is a purple state, but COS is about as red as it gets. We moved into a new neighborhood and at least 25% of the homeowners are from CA. All left for the same reasons: Better quality of life, lower taxes, and to escape the bat-sh#t politics of CA. What we didn’t expect however was how nice our new neighbors are. We all know each other, get together regularly, etc. I lived in same neighborhood near Sacramento for 27 years and couldn’t name the people two doors down.
We have been in cos since 1995. My folks are still in Placerville. Colorado Springs was a great place to raise our kids. Both my husband and I were native Californians
We purchased a ranch property in Montana a couple of years ago with an intent to retire there. Due to the insanity of this state, we have opened a construction company in Montana and are in the process of closing down the CA. construction business, (12 full time employees). We will sell our CA. ranch and get of CA. before Prop 13 is repealed.
I am seriously considering leaving. I am young, healthy, and retired. But where to go? Where are Californians the least despised with low taxes that’s not wall to wall people or really humid? I’ve considered the mountains of AZ, Santa Fe, Utah, Colorado front range. Nevada is just too hot (Reno has an old boyfriend I’d like to avoid). Texas seems to be getting to the point of hating Californians. How do you choose? And then reestablishing a social group and a life is daunting…
I would be happy to just get out of Sacramento. We spent the last two weekends going up to Placer and Amador counties. It was so clean, friendly, and beautiful. As soon as we hit the Sacramento County line we saw garbage everywhere and felt the negative energy. Maybe the state of Jefferson isn’t so far off, we can only hope.
You aren’t kidding. I’m from Sacramento, born and raised. I moved in 2007 but went back a couple of years ago to visit. It was my boyfriend’s first time ever going there and I was excited to show him around. I was saddened, disheartened, embarrassed and mad upon my return. The homeless everywhere had me so upset with how the state is run, the politics are a joke. Garbage everywhere as well really chapped my ass. The conditions are deplorable. I did always enjoy going up 80, or taking 50 out, just to get away for awhile. even before it became so gross.
“Butler said the other benefit is the “perceived safety” outside of big cities. The riots did not make it to El Dorado County, although she said there were a few BLM protesters in South Lake Tahoe – but no violence or destruction.”
That’s true of many smaller cities, as well, particularly here in the Central Valley. Merced has had a few organized, peaceful protests, but no looting or thuggery.
As to the migrations out of state, that is worrisome for those of us who have chosen to stay for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, most of the people coming *into* the state currently are of the Looting Class, and take out much more than they contribute. That’s not sustainable in the long run, and the current “leaders” in Sacramento seem either ignorant or uncaring about it.
We left CA a year ago for all the above reasons. We took our businesses with us. It was particularly hard for me as my ancestors came there over 250 years ago. It was sad leaving all that family history behind, but I’m glad we did, and wish we had done it sooner. No state tax here in NV, less expensive cost of living, waaaay less traffic, and no insane politicians! Now we watch CA destroy itself from afar. Sad, but not my problem anymore.
And yet California’s economy continues to grow with a record $3.2 trillion GDP. All those taxes to the universities are paying huge dividends.
Good… beat it!!!
We just recently moved from the San Diego area, and I must tell you it was heartbreaking. There were multiple complicated factors that influenced our decision but for brevities sake, It was in this order, taxes, overregulation of our business by the state government, and perceived safety/security issues that we felt were right around the corner. My God, what a beautiful state, beautiful weather, and what beautiful people, but common sense and risk aversion necessitated our move. We were so relieved to sell our home and make a good chunk of change, and now we are mortgage free on over an acre of land, in the mountains, on a beautiful lake, with twice the square footage.. So, this hitchhiker says, so long and thanks for all the fish California!!
You can always vacation back here…
But to live and be taxed by these idiots???
And then there’s the ever present seismic risk that can set you back five years minimum, if not kill you outright…
Hoping to be out by year’s end… I’ve abandoned all hope & the recall election will probably be Dominioned, because the CAGOP is feckless…
Redfin Now is our friend….
4 out of 5 cars I see eastbound on I-80 through Nevada are from California… and they all seem to be in a hurry.
Left Northern California in January 20,unfortunately it also is a cesspool of homeless, garbage, and liberals. Living and loving the South. Just wish We had left sooner..
Please do not come to Colorado Thanks
We’re on our way and we’re voting conservative in Douglas County…
Anticipated close mid-summer and planned move around Labor Day…
CA is a vacation destination, not a place to live and be taxed, financially , emotionally or physically…
Too many soft, stupid people here… Hollywood and San Franfreakshow….
My husband and children were born and raised in San Diego. I came there when I was 5 years old and also consider myself a native. Unfortunately for all the above reasons, we sold our home and have moved to Santa Rosa Beach Florida. No state taxes, lower cost of living and yes, less traffic. We loved where we lived but were heartbroken with all the changes occurring…. with all the years we lived in San Diego, we are leaving with a heart full of memories and look forward to the next chapter in our life’s.
We considered leaving California, then we decided no. We will just Live our lives in this jacked up state based on our Constitutional rights (of which there are several) and break any laws that are unconstitutional. California is a criminal triad in that it breaks. Constitutional laws as it sees fit and people play along. So far so good, we kept our business open, didn’t wear or force customers to wear masks, and even acquired tools not approved by this state. Last I checked California was still part of the United States and according to the SCOTUS in a 2003 decision: “ The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute though having the form and name of law is in reality no law and wholly void and ineffective for any purpose, for unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment and not merely from the date so branding yet. No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no court is bound to enforce it“ we choose to stay and do whatever is required to remove the likes of Gavin Newsom and the ineffective idiots in Sacramento. The pendulum has swung and this recent shut down of the state is going to result in nuisance removal if not by recall by next election. I guarantee you it will happen.
I Just wanted to say, that as a Student of Law, Good for the Person who sais, that a Law that is not Constitutional, is in fact Void. That is True. Keep living where you Love, and Fighting for Freedom and Liberty.
We considered leaving California, then we decided no. We will just Live our lives in this jacked up state based on our Constitutional rights (of which there are several) and break any laws that are unconstitutional. California is a criminal triad in that it breaks. Constitutional laws as it sees fit and people play along. So far so good, we kept our business open, didn’t wear or force customers to wear masks, and even acquired tools not approved by this state. Last I checked California was still part of the United States and according to the SCOTUS in a 2003 decision: “ The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute though having the form and name of law is in reality no law and wholly void and ineffective for any purpose, for unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment and not merely from the date so branding yet. No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no court is bound to enforce it“ We choose to stay and do whatever is required to remove the likes of Gavin Newsom and the ineffective idiots in Sacramento. The pendulum has swung and this recent shut down of the state is going to result in Gavin nuisance Newsom’s removal if not by recall by next election. I guarantee you.
We are in Northern California and our home is in Escrow. We will be moving into a rental we own across town, and in June we are uprooting ourselves as well as our company. It just doesn’t make sense for us to operate in California anymore; I would cite crime, liability, taxes, and overall cost of living, in that order. We hate to leave our extended family and friends, but cannot see long-term opportunity here anymore.
Please, People use your Brains and Do not vote in Liberal Democrats like you did in your Horrid State Trash Can of California. We love our Guns, God, and Country Here in other States. If your a Liberal Please Stay in your Hell Hole, and Do not Ruin Other States with your Horrible Voting Practices, and your No Good Liberal Way of Life.
Please Stay in California, Fix your own State, No one Wants you People Destroying Their State, and Rights.
So happy to hear people are leaving.
I live on the Mendocino County coast. I love the weather and people. I moved from NW Montana. It was hard to leave a state I’ve lived in for 50 years. We just got tired of the snow and cold. That was in 2013. It is now 2023. I miss the wonderful outdoor lifestyle there with horses, hunting, fishing and Glacier Park. Living here is nice. I’m retired and find this area very calming, very nice people, and we own our home. I’m not affected by the taxes negatively here. Sadly to say, Montana has really turned into a cesspool. I went back to the Flathead Valley. It’s like Coney Island. The whole state has been and still is being overly exploited. The very places where I looked forward to hunting , fishing, and camping have been bought up by the rich and many place are turning into little Sacramento’s with the crime drugs and homelessness. Property costs are similar to many California areas. The house I bought in Montana for $299,000 2005 sold for $608,000 in 2013. It’s been listed recently for $1.2 million and is under contract. It’s total chaos. I’m glad to be living where I am in California, but miss what I grew up with when Montana was a great place to live and raise a family.