California Dreamin’ becomes California Leavin’

Californians are moving out. Still.

“The top states Californians were leaving for – as we’ve become accustomed to, Florida and Texas, North and South Carolina and Tennessee,” the Globe reported in January. “U-Haul reports that Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Colorado and Virginia were also in the top 10 states for inbound migration.”

There’s a new report out from PODS, the moving and storage company, which finds Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, South Florida’s Miami metro, and Long Island, New York continue to see the largest population exoduses – largely because of high housing costs, high costs of living, and compromised quality of life issues.

Who better than a moving and storage company to keep the stats on inbound and outbound migration?

“In 2020, the state’s population loss was enough to cost it a congressional seat. And although population loss has lessened, it was still at a net loss of over 91,000 people in 2023,” PODS reported.

“Exorbitant housing costs, overcrowding, and hefty tax burdens have become, for some, insurmountable challenges in these urban centers,” PODS reports. “As a result, many residents find themselves priced out and seeking reprieve from major cities. This mass relocation underscores the growing appeal among Americans in prioritizing access to nature and a more sustainable quality of life over the pace of city living.”

“High taxes, high cost of living – highest-in-the-nation housing costs, highest-in-the-nation gas prices, failing public schools, and loss of parental rights – all factor in the decision to move,” the Globe reported in January.

PODS also notes that Companies are flocking to southern sunbelt states like Texas, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Tennessee, according to global data center Iron Mountain. because of lower operational costs, tax incentives, and better value for employees.

Now PODS reports California makes the top 10 list of highest number of move-outs with four cities/regions, and has 7 cities out of the top 20 move-out cities. “The various locations of these cities point to the fact that this is a statewide exodus,” PODS said.

Here is PODS’ Top 10 cities with the highest number of move-outs:

1. Los Angeles, CA (1st in 2023)
2. Northern California (San Francisco area) (2nd in 2023)
3. South Florida (Miami area) (5th in 2023)
4. Long Island, NY (Serving parts of NYC) (4th in 2023)
5. Austin, TX (Not ranked in 2023)
6. Central Jersey, NJ (6th in 2023)
7. Chicago, IL (3rd in 2023)
8. San Diego, CA (14th in 2023)
9. Stockton-Modesto, CA (9th in 2023)
10. Hudson Valley, NY (11th in 2023)

PODS reports they are seeing “more people move to the Southern Appalachian region, which includes states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. People are also continuing to move to select Florida cities and long-standing retirement favorites such as Boise, Portland (ME), and Phoenix.”

They also say many people have the Carolinas at the top of their lists as the best state to live in.

“This year’s PODS long-distance moving data reveals that movers are swapping out previously hot move-to markets like Florida and Texas for spots in Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia. More than 60 percent of the most moved-to cities were in these three southern states, with the Carolinas accounting for a whopping 30 percent of the top 20 cities with the most move-ins.”

Cities With the Highest Number of Move-Ins Ranked – Not one in California

PODS said last year Florida claimed half of the top 10 spots on their top move-in list. This year, Florida tied for third. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina/Wilmington, North Carolina, area holds remains the number one most moved-to city for the second year in a row.

“Tennessee tied with Florida for the third most popular state for new moves,” PODS said. “This year’s Tennessee takeover sees Knoxville, Nashville, and Johnson City in the top 20. It seems the Volunteer State is next in line for a population boom, with many of its new residents reportedly moving from California or flocking from former favorites like Florida and Texas.”

PODS concludes:

“The Golden State has a reputation for imposing high sales, income, and property taxes. The cost of living is approximately 50 percent higher in California than the national average, and housing costs can be prohibitive. For example, home values in California have increased 6.4 percent over the last year, more than 2 percent above the national average, according to Zillow. And the national average cost for a rental in the U.S. is around $1,725 for a one-bedroom apartment, but it reaches an average of $2,525 in California, $3,275 in San Francisco, and $2,700 in Los Angeles, according to RentCafe data.”

“Additionally, California’s congested cities and rising rates of crime and homelessness may also be contributing factors.”