California to Texas Is the Country's Most Popular Moving Route

More than 8.2 million Americans moved to different states between 2021 and 2022, 100,000 of whom moved from California to Texas.

New US Census migration data showed that thousands of Americans are leaving California and New York in favor of Florida and Texas. Insider determined the top 10 state-to-state migration flows for 2021 and 2022, all of which were over 48,000 people.

The top four migration flows for 2021 and 2022 were the same as last year, though Californians' moves to Nevada, Washington, and Oregon were more popular last year.

The California-to-Texas move remained high for 2021 and 2022, but on the flip side, only 42,000 Texas residents moved to California. Many have moved citing cheaper housing and living costs, as well as a better work-life balance.

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Of the top 10 moves, five were from California to other states. In addition to Texas, Californians have flocked to Arizona, Washington, and Nevada in high numbers. Over 74,000 left for Arizona, some of whom cited the state's lower cost of living, lower taxes, and employment opportunities.

Over 91,000 New Yorkers and about 50,000 Californians relocated to Florida during this period, with many moving for the more tax-friendly policies and warmer weather. According to a new study by Zillow, the Sunshine State is the second most-valuable real-estate market nationwide behind California, worth about $3.85 trillion.

This influx of wealthy newcomers, though, has pushed some middle-class residents out of the state in search of affordability. Over 51,000 Floridians moved to Georgia from 2021 to 2022 — and one real-estate agent previously told Insider that many are relocating to southern cities including Knoxville, Tennessee, and Greenville, South Carolina.

Another major move over the last few years has been from New York to New Jersey because many New Yorkers have continued to get priced out of the five boroughs and have begun searching for less expensive housing across the river.

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As New York City has become more expensive and elusive, Jersey City, New Jersey has attracted thousands of New Yorkers into new housing developments. In doing so, Jersey City is now the second-most expensive city for renters in the US, which has contributed to the city's affordability crisis, according to Zumper's October 2023 National Rent Report.

Similarly, many New Yorkers have moved east to Connecticut, which has become a remote-work hub. Many moved to communities with easy access to New York City without paying city prices — and many have stayed remote.

With many people moving to smaller states such as Tennessee, Utah, and South Carolina as well, the exodus from larger states may continue.

Have you made a similar move in the past year or two? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@insider.com.

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