A California Policy Lab study finds that residents who move out of state save an average of $672 per month on housing and are 48% more likely to own homes within seven years, driven largely by California's high costs (11% more for groceries, 40% more for gas, 61% more for utilities than the national average). Most movers head to nearby states like Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona rather than distant migration hubs like Texas or Florida. The study tracked 2016-2025 migration patterns and found the trend cuts across income levels, with many movers showing financial strain before leaving despite not being broke. What the post doesn't mention: researchers also note that while costs drive the exodus, policymakers have limited ability to reverse housing prices—at best they can slow future growth.