SHOULD I MOVE TO TEXAS FROM CALIFORNIA?


More than 687,000 individuals have left California in the past decade to move to Texas. That’s almost double the number of people who moved from Texas to California. 

In fact, migrators from California make up 13% of all of Texas’ migration growth since 2010.

That means more than 1 in 10 people who have moved to Texas in the last 10 years are from California. No other state or country sends more people to Texas right now than the Golden State.

And that number has only increased over the last 10 years.

In 2011, 58,992 individuals moved to TX from CA. That number has increased every year since then until 2018, when it reached its current peak at 86,164. That’s a 31.5% increase since 2011.

The migration has included many well-known influencers such as Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Matthew McConaughey, and Elijah Wood, to name a few. However, Texas isn’t just attracting new people. It’s also becoming a magnet for commerce.

Businesses of all stripes are choosing to expand or uproot and move into the Lone Star state. This includes some of the largest corporations and tech giants in the world, such as Google, Apple, AT&T, Keller Williams, and American Airlines.

Houston, TX was the top state for business migration in 2020, and Austin was number one for consumers, according to Allied Van Lines moving company. On the other hand, California has remained in the bottom 5 states for population growth since 2015. It finally settled into last place in 2021, according to data from U-Haul.

Why Are People Moving To Texas From California?


When you look at some of the key differences between the two states, it’s really no wonder why Texas is attracting so many Californians. Here are just a few of the key benefits of moving to Texas from California.

  • Cost Of Living is Cheaper In Texas

    According to the Living Wage Calculator from MIT, the cost of living in Texas is more affordable in almost every aspect than California. The following section will go into some detail on the difference in living expenses between the two states.

  • Texas has No Income Tax

    Texas has no state income tax, which makes it great for businesses. Whereas California has the highest income tax in the nation.

  • Housing Is WAY Cheaper In Texas

    Buying a house in California is almost double the cost of purchasing a home in Texas.

  • The Texas Job Market is Skyrocketing

    Start-ups, established businesses, and Silicon Valley tech giants are all making their way to the Lone Star state. That means more and more job opportunities for Californians and others moving to Texas.

Cost Of Living In Texas Vs. California

The MIT calculator analyzes multiple primary types of living expenses, including:

  • Child care
  • Food
  • Housing
  • Medical
  • Transportation
  • And others

Here’s how the two states size up:

Child Care is more affordable in Texas than in California

In California, child care costs $10,641 per year compared with $7,042 in Texas (a 34% difference).

Food is more affordable in Texas than in California

A single adult in California could eat on $3,792 per year, compared with $3,177 for single adults living in Texas. In other words, eating in Texas costs 16% less than in California.

Housing is MUCH more affordable in Texas than in California

Buying a house in California is almost double the cost of buying a house in Texas.

Medical services are slightly more expensive in Texas than in California

Medical expenses are one of the few areas where Texas is slightly more expensive than California (6% higher).

Transportation is slightly more expensive in Texas than in California

The cost for transportation is 4% higher in Texas compared with California.

How Much Does It Cost To

Move To Texas From California?

According to Allied Van Lines, the average cost to move more than 1,000 miles usually costs between $5,000 and $7,000. However, the average cost of moving from California to Texas is $4,157.39, lower than the national average.

Moving To East Texas?

Isaac Design & Construction Can Build Your Home

Isaac Design & Construction serves East Texas with quality custom home building services. Many of our recent clients have made the move from California to Texas and are looking to settle down with a beautiful custom home.

If you’re considering moving to Texas, we want you to know you have a dependable custom home builder in Tyler, TX that is ready to help you.

Contact us today to schedule a meeting with one of our designers and get a free, in-depth quote. We look forward to serving you.

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