RelocateMath
California relocation guide

Where to move from California

On a $100,000 salary (about the California median household income) you keep $72,825 after 2026 taxes. 49 states and D.C. have lower overall prices, and the biggest gain in buying power (+35.8%) comes from moving to South Dakota.

By Data reviewed Data: IRS, Census ACS, BEA (methodology)

State income tax on $100,000
$5,055
2026 rules, single filer
Price level (U.S. = 100)
110.7
BEA 2024
Net movers, 2022–2023
-100,397
households to/from other states

Buying power by destination

Change in after-tax, price-adjusted pay if you move from California on $100,000Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau

Every state ranked for someone leaving California

The ranking starts at about California's median household income. Enter your own salary and filing status to re-rank every state for you.

At a salary of $100,000, filing single, the biggest gain in buying power (+35.8%) comes from moving to South Dakota.

Every state ranked by the change in buying power for someone leaving California. Single filer, $100,000 W-2 salary.
Move toBuying powerTake-home changeRent / moEqual salary
South Dakota+35.8%+$6,355$999$70,300
North Dakota+34.1%+$5,664$980$70,800
Mississippi+32.6%+$3,087$990$71,800
Arkansas+32.1%+$2,668$982$71,900
Louisiana+32.0%+$3,741$1,064$72,500
Iowa+31.6%+$3,207$981$72,500
Tennessee+31.0%+$6,355$1,284$73,400
Oklahoma+30.2%+$2,400$1,044$73,500
Wyoming+29.8%+$6,355$998$74,100
Alabama+28.5%+$2,253$1,077$74,900
West Virginia+28.2%+$2,664$883$74,700
Kentucky+27.7%+$2,973$998$75,400
Nebraska+27.4%+$2,685$1,102$75,300
Ohio+26.5%+$4,374$1,090$76,100
Missouri+26.4%+$2,685$1,067$76,000
Kansas+25.5%+$1,575$1,079$76,600
New Mexico+24.7%+$2,786$1,117$77,200
Texas+24.0%+$6,355$1,475$78,200
North Carolina+22.0%+$2,874$1,338$79,400
Indiana+21.6%+$1,801$1,104$79,900
South Carolina+21.6%+$2,111$1,272$79,200
Wisconsin+20.8%+$1,927$1,142$80,100
Nevada+20.4%+$6,355$1,709$81,000
Montana+20.3%+$2,066$1,177$80,400
Idaho+19.4%+$2,163$1,384$81,300
Michigan+18.8%+$2,356$1,168$82,000
Pennsylvania+18.4%+$3,215$1,252$82,400
Georgia+18.3%+$2,113$1,506$82,300
Alaska+17.1%+$6,084$1,444$83,600
Florida+16.4%+$6,355$1,812$84,100
Vermont+16.4%+$2,215$1,319$83,400
Arizona+16.4%+$4,257$1,672$84,000
New Hampshire+15.5%+$6,355$1,558$84,900
Maine+15.3%+$726$1,210$84,500
Utah+14.9%+$1,905$1,593$85,200
Minnesota+13.3%+$638$1,291$86,400
Illinois+13.1%+$1,550$1,322$86,900
Delaware+12.0%+$696$1,530$87,600
Virginia+11.6%+$1,419$1,646$88,000
Rhode Island+11.3%+$2,107$1,418$88,300
Colorado+10.6%+$2,223$1,822$89,000
Washington+10.5%+$4,968$1,824$89,300
Connecticut+8.1%+$880$1,550$91,300
Massachusetts+6.2%+$1,115$1,848$93,300
Oregon+4.9%-$1,493$1,597$94,600
New York+4.1%+$1,083$1,634$95,500
Maryland+4.1%-$928$1,721$95,500
New Jersey+3.9%+$1,565$1,800$95,600
Washington, DC+1.9%+$823$1,931$97,800
Hawaii+0.9%+$169$1,942$99,000

Single filer, $100,000 W-2 salary. "Buying power" is after-tax pay adjusted for regional prices, and "Equal salary" is the pay that keeps it the same (see how to work out the salary you need). Weighing a state with no income tax? See what you really save.

Not sure where to go? Take the where-should-I-move quiz to match states to your budget and priorities, or read how to choose a city to move to.

Where California residents actually move

Leaving California for… (households)
Texas44,417
Arizona28,402
Nevada26,210
Washington24,625
New York20,595
Florida20,241
Oregon16,765
Colorado14,044
Moving to California from… (households)
Texas24,970
New York18,440
Washington17,871
Arizona16,283
Nevada14,775
Florida14,113
Illinois10,407
Oregon10,369
Net households gained (+) or lost (−) by California, by IRS tax year
Net loss
2018–19-71,547
2019–20-117,475
2020–21-158,220
2021–22-144,203
2022–23-100,397

California lost households to other states in every one of the last five IRS years.

IRS Statistics of Income migration data, 2022–2023. See national migration.

Everyday costs in California

Average electric bill
$161/mo
Regular gas
$6.20/gal
Insure + fuel one car
$4,202/yr
Health plan, age 40
$570/mo
Natural hazard risk
Among the highest (98.8)
Property tax (effective)
0.71%

EIA 2024 bills, AAA gas, NAIC insurance + 12,000 miles of gas, KFF 2026 benchmark silver before subsidies, FEMA National Risk Index, Census ACS 2024.

Cities in California

More about living in California

Cost of living

Prices and the salary it takes to rent, buy, or live a typical lifestyle in California.

Buying a home

Income needed and monthly cost of the median California home.

Retiring in California

How California taxes Social Security, pensions and 401(k)s.

Moving to California

Who moves here, what it costs, and the driver license and registration deadlines.

Moving costs

What it costs to move from California to every other state.

Car shipping

What it costs to ship a car from California to every state.

Disaster risk

FEMA risk for California and every county.

Health insurance

2026 Marketplace premiums in California by age.

Property tax by county

Effective rates for every California county.

Frequently asked questions

Where do people from California move?

The top destinations in IRS data for 2022–2023 were Texas (44,417 households), Arizona (28,402 households), Nevada (26,210 households).

Is California gaining or losing residents to other states?

California had a net loss of 100,397 households to other states in 2022–2023 (IRS).

Which state gives the most buying power if I leave California?

On a $100,000 salary, South Dakota raises your after-tax, price-adjusted income the most (+35.8%).

Moving to California instead?

The Moving to California guide covers where newcomers come from, the cost of living and the first-month deadlines. Reports for the most common moves here are listed below; for any other move, use the calculator.

Most common moves to California (25)

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