California is experiencing a notable exodus of residents, driven by dissatisfaction with the state’s living conditions. A study by moveBuddha revealed that five of the top ten cities with the highest outbound move interest are in California, with Los Angeles and San Francisco leading the way. The exodus is fueled by issues such as frequent brownouts and high costs of living.
Once projected to reach 40 million residents by 2018 and 50 million by 2048, California’s population has instead declined. As of last July, the U.S. Census Bureau reported a population of about 38.96 million, a decrease of 75,400 from the previous year and significantly below the peak of 39.5 million in 2020. This decline has resulted in California losing a congressional seat for the first time in 2020, with projections indicating up to five more losses by 2030.
Despite a minor population increase last year, with the state gaining about 67,000 people, California saw a net loss of 47,000 U.S. citizens to other states, offsetting the 114,200 legal immigrants who moved in. Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of gas prices and stringent COVID-19 lockdowns has been blamed for exacerbating the state’s woes. The lockdowns particularly impacted young Californians, with 10% of those aged 16-24 classified as “disconnected” in 2022, meaning they were neither in school nor employed.
Public school enrollment is also on the decline, with 25% of students considered chronically absent, missing at least 10% of school days. The financial strain of relocating is evident, with a 26-foot U-Haul truck rental from San Francisco to Austin, Texas, costing $5,040, compared to just $2,514 for the reverse trip. This discrepancy underscores the high demand for outbound moves from California. Overall, the state’s policies and economic challenges are prompting many residents to seek better opportunities elsewhere, highlighting a growing trend of migration out of California.
