Over the past decade, thousands of California residents have begun migrating from California to other states. One of the most popular destinations has been Texas. According to the Census Bureau, of the 660,000+ California residents who have made the decision to move last year, over 63,000+ individuals moved to Texas. This raises the question, “Why are people from California moving to Texas?” We have examined the two states and provided detailed data for you to review. Furthermore, we have provided advice on how to successfully complete your move from California to Texas or any other state you choose.
The cost of living in California is 149.9, or 49.9% higher than the average cost of living in the United States. Housing costs are incredibly high. Studios are $300 more, single bedrooms are $400 more, and two or more bedroom housing is $500 to $1,000 more than the United States average.
California has incredibly high taxes as well, which is yet another reason why residents are leaving in droves. Sales tax is 8.5% whereas the United States average is 7.3%. Income tax is a whopping 9.3% while the United States average is a mere 4.6%. Despite the high taxes, the average income is low. A single tax filer only has an average income of $29,000 a year, and a household averages just $61,489 per year.
Furthermore, the infrastructure in California is unable to withstand the transportation needs of its citizens. Roads are crumbling and many of the bridges are over 50 years old. Due to lack of proper funding, infrastructure across California has suffered and has not been maintained.
Cities and regions that are losing the most residents include:
While Claifronia has been losing residents for years, one of the final reasons for California residents moving to Texas due to the extreme COVID-19 restrictions. Despite many other states adjusting to “the new normal”, California continues to keep strongest restrictions in place. Churches, restaurants, shopping, and other activities continue to suffer as the restrictions remain in place. Individuals feel they must live in solitude in their small living spaces while friends and family in other states are permitted to continue safely enjoying their lives.
Compared to California, the cost of living in Texas is far lower. In fact, the cost of living index is only 93.9. This means that living in Texas is 6.1% cheaper than living in other states in the country. Furthermore, housing is affordable for individuals and families. Studios are about $100 less, one bedrooms $90 less, and two or more bedroom housing options are $150 to $200 less than the United States average.
Additionally, taxes in Texas are far less than California and right on par with the United States average. Sales tax is only 8.0%, which is just 0.7% more than the United States average. The state of Texas does not have an income tax, which saves individuals and families thousands of dollars each year. While the average income for individuals ($26,000) and households ($52,000) is less than that of California and the United States, the lack of income tax more than makes up for the difference.
Furthermore, Texas is in the position to offer more jobs due to its growing economy. Over the last year, the job market has increased by 2.6%. In the next decade, the job market is predicted to increase by 37%. Combined with the wam, predictable weather and low cost of living, it is easy to see why people from California are moving to Texas.
The top destinations for California residents in Texas include:
Houston (located in Harris County) is the city with the latest growth. Over 80,000 people from California and four other states moved to the Houston area last year alone. The Dallas-Fort Worth region experienced the second largest growth with over 46,000 California and other states’ residents making the move.
If you are one of the individuals looking to move out of California for any reason, you need to appropriately plan in order to make the move as successful and stress-free as possible. Moving from one state to another poses a number of challenges. However, you can easily overcome these by working with the best moving companies for California to Texas moves.
From the middle of each state, Texas and California are over 1,400 miles apart (over 21 hours of driving without stops). The distance from your current California city to your new Texas home can be even further away and take more hours to complete. Transportation of yourself and your household items is a crucial part of successfully moving out of California.
However you will be moving your items from California to Texas, it is important you plan your trip in advance. Decide how many hours a day you will drive and make hotel reservations in advance. This will ensure you do not drive too long without a rest. Additionally, this prevents you from having to drive around looking for a hotel with an available room.
If you will be selling off most of your furniture, you may be able to simply move your small items in your vehicle on your own. Before you leave on your journey, you need to have your vehicle fully inspected. The last thing you will want is to have your car break down in the middle of the desert. Even with selling off most of your furniture, you may not have enough space to transport all of your items. If this is the case, you may need to utilize a van or a small trailer with a hitch in order to complete your move. Many individuals opt to keep all of their furniture and utilize a moving truck. Some companies will let you rent and drive the truck yourself and others will have a full team of moves to complete the journey for you.
The best time to move from California to Texas will ultimately depend on your schedule and your family’s needs. If you do not want to disrupt your children’s education during the middle of the school year, you may only be able to complete your move during their summer vacation. Keep in mind, Texas has hot summers. This means you will be unpacking your home when the temperatures are well into the 90s.
If your schedule allows it, the winter may be the best time for you to complete your move from California to Texas. Both states will have cooler temperatures during the winter. This makes it more pleasurable to move items into your home. Furthermore, moving companies do not have as many reservations during the winter. This can be an exceptional added benefit if an issue arises during your move. If you need more time or plans change, the best moving companies for California to Texas moves have a better chance of accommodating last minute reservation changes.
If you aren’t sure where to start, please review our moving timeline checklist.
Packing up your life is never fun or easy, especially if you have lived in the same place for years. It is easy for clutter and unnecessary items to build up. To help with your packing process, it is best to start with decluttering and downsizing. If you do not need it, donate it or try to sell it. From there, you need to make sure you have enough boxes to pack up your belongings. Consider our packing tips to make packing, loading, and unpacking as simple as possible.
Moving can quickly become the most expensive activity you complete in a calendar year. Between the cost of moving boxes, movers, truck rentals, and packing materials, the costs add up. The average cost to move over 1,000 miles is around $4,000. The actual cost will depend on the exact mileage, number of items being moved, and a number of other factors. In addition to the cost of moving, you must consider the cost of registering your vehicle in Texas, new ID fees, any deposits required to turn on utilities, taxes, and fees associated with renting or buying your home.
When you are considering the best moving companies California to Texas, Air Van and northAmerican Van Lines will provide you with the services, resources, and discounts you deserve. Moving around the corner or out of the country each comes with their unique challenges, and a move from California to Texas is no exception.
Our entire team is dedicated to helping minimize any stress of issues during your move. We will provide you with expert packing, shipping, and delivery of your items. Furthermore, we take the time to go over your rights, liabilities, and insurance options. Not all moving companies will take the time to go over this information with you. However, we go the extra mile to provide you with peace of mind.
We can help you move out of California to any state you choose. No matter how few or many items you have, they will always be delivered safely when you trust in Air Van and northAmerican Van Lines. We take the necessary precautions to protect your belongings and our team during the COVID-19 era. We encourage you to request a quote today for your upcoming move. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!