The number of residents leaving California has led to the state losing $24 billion in personal incomes between 2021 and 2022, according to IRS data.
The data, reported by The Center Square, revealed that California lost a net of 144,203 tax filers between those two years. Those leaving the state had an average adjusted gross income (AGI) of $130,946, while those entering the state had an average AGI of $111,689.
Former state Sen. John Moorlach (R) told the outlet, “This will not bode well for California and its future personal income tax revenues. It’s not only employees that are leaving, it’s entire businesses. Consequently, it’s not as if we need in-migration to fill empty positions. The positions left, too.”
According to a recent report from PODS, Los Angeles and Northern California had the greatest number of “move-outs” in 2023.
“California continues to lead the pack with the largest out-migration numbers, according to the latest PODS data,” the report explains. “The number of California cities on our top 20 move-out list has increased from six to seven, and four California markets rank in the top 10, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Stockton-Modesto. The various locations of these cities point to the fact that this is a statewide exodus.”
“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,” the report notes, describing possible reasons for residents leaving the state, adding, “Additionally, California’s congested cities and rising rates of crime and homelessness may also be contributing factors, pushing people who are searching for more affordable cities with better access to nature and fewer crowds to make the move to areas with somewhat comparable arts, culture, and food scenes.”
The PODS report further noted that the state of California saw a net loss of over 91,000 people in 2023.
A report from Consumer Affairs found similar trends. Its analysis of state migration revealed that California has a loss of more than 10,000 people thus far in 2024.
California Policy Center President Will Swaim explained the state’s mass exodus to Fox News, saying, “California is number one in all the wrong things. Add to that regulations that make building new homes almost impossible, and it’s no wonder that people are moving out.”