13 California Towns Where People Are Fleeing to Other States (2026)

Why are people leaving California for other states in 2026? From Salinas and Stockton to Bakersfield, Riverside, Fresno, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Long Beach, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles County, and Los Angeles, this video explores the major pressures behind California’s population shift. High housing costs, taxes, long commutes, childcare expenses, and the rise of remote work are changing where people choose to live. Some residents are moving to Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, and other states in search of lower costs and more affordable housing. But there’s another side to the story too. The video points out that moving doesn’t automatically mean a better life, and some people eventually return because of hidden costs or homesickness. What do you think is the biggest reason people are leaving California? Comment STAY or GO. #California #CaliforniaExodus #CaliforniaMigration #CaliforniaRealEstate #CaliforniaHousing #CaliforniaPopulation #MovingOutOfCalifornia #CaliforniaTowns #Texas #Arizona #Nevada #2026 #Shorts