In light of emerging news about Californians packing up and leaving the state, it’s noteworthy that during the pandemic, California did experience a net outflow of residents, with only a slight uptick in population by 2024. Many contemplate leaving but find themselves reluctant to do so. This raises the question: what is it about California that keeps people tied down?
KTLA television’s commentary may shed some light on this. The commentary pointed out that Californians are constantly making trade-offs—sacrificing some aspects of their lives in order to manage the costs of essentials. While many consider relocating, they are often held back by the thought that although living expenses might be significantly lower elsewhere, the quality of life may not measure up to California’s. Would moving to Texas or Florida truly bring happiness just because it’s cheaper?
Certainly, the high cost of living in California is a frequent sore spot for residents. This month, Emerson College and KTLA’s parent company, Nexstar Media, surveyed 1,000 California voters to gauge their voting tendencies and also their perspectives on economic and immigration policies.
The results were revealing: 56% of respondents admitted they had considered leaving California due to high living costs. Among them, 37% reported sacrificing hobbies in recent months to cover the expenses of food and utilities; 35% made compromises related to housing; and 26% tightened their budgets for essentials like meals and prescription medications.
From any angle, California’s living expenses rank among the highest in the nation, including the highest median price for single-family homes and skyrocketing gas prices. Despite a sizable population, the trend of net outflow due to high living costs is increasingly evident.
Recent findings from ConsumerAffairs highlighted that California leads the nation in net outmigration, closely followed by New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. In contrast, the states with the highest net inflow include North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
Governor Newsom has made efforts to alleviate living expenses, including requiring oil companies to increase supply to stabilize gas prices during refinery maintenance and signing legislation to combat reluctance from counties to build affordable housing. However, as Lee Ohanian, an economist from UCLA, aptly noted, when the median home price exceeds $900,000, rent takes up more than 50% of pre-tax income, and utilities and gas costs are the highest in the nation, it’s no wonder people want to leave.
Ultimately, the reason for staying appears to be an enduring affection for the quality of life California offers. However, emotional ties can only withstand so much; if prices continue to rise without relief, the challenge of making ends meet may be the most compelling reason for residents to leave California for good.
