Americans are now abandoning some of California’s once-coveted cities — here’s where they’re headed instead

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Americans are now abandoning some of California’s once-coveted cities — here’s where they’re headed instead

It’s no secret that California’s golden glow has started to dim for many residents.

The latest

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reveals a mass migration as people pack up and move out of the Golden State, with seven cities being hit especially hard.

The reasons? Soaring housing prices, crime concerns, tax burdens, and the dream of a more affordable life elsewhere.

Here are the top five California cities Americans are ditching and the new hot spots where they’re landing.

Don’t missThe top 5 California cities going through mass exodus

California is home to seven of the top 20 U.S. cities or metro areas with the highest number of residents packing up and moving out, according to the report.

But the top five cities experiencing the drain are:

Stockton-Modesto

People are leaving due to

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such as high crime rates, poverty, and homelessness, making it less attractive for families and businesses, and lacing it in the 13th spot on the report.

Santa Barbara

Despite coastal beauty and high-end allure, Santa Barbara is seeing an exodus, placing it in 11th spot. According to

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, the city’s population has dropped by over 4% since 2020. Despite its postcard-perfect charm, residents are struggling to keep up with home prices and an unemployment rate above the national average.

San Diego

Creeping up to the fifth spot from last year’s eighth means this city is losing more residents. Beautiful beaches simply can’t make up for the soaring cost of living. San Diego’s laidback lifestyle is being overshadowed by housing shortages and rising crime, meaning residents are leaving.

San Francisco

Once a tech-fueled dreamscape, San Francisco is bleeding residents (and

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) and landing in the second spot again since last year. Eye-watering rents, visible homelessness, and a spike in crime are pushing people to reconsider the Bay. The city ranks at the very bottom of inbound vs. outbound moves, according to

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.

Los Angeles

Topping the outbound stats in the PODS study for the second consecutive year in a row, Los Angeles has been the poster child for California’s migration crisis. The sky-high taxes, pricey housing, and congested traffic are pushing even celebrities to greener pastures. Not to mention

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and issues with

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.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says

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— and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Top 5 relocation destinations for Americans

A

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shows homelessness has increased in many Californian communities and that housing affordability is a problem. The majority of people who leave are heading to states with lower taxes, lower housing costs, and higher perceived quality of life.

And according to a survey by

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, 26% of Americans who moved in 2024 did so for lower living costs, and 51% claimed safety was a major motivator. Many are looking for better work-life balance and lower taxes.

So, where is everybody going? Here are the top

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destinations:

Texas

Cities like Dallas-Fort Worth are rolling out the welcome mat. In fact, it’s fifth according to PODS on a list of the 20 top cities people are moving to in 2025. One of the

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areas in the United States, the area’s affordability, economic opportunities, and high quality of life make it an obvious choice for budget-conscious movers.

Florida

The Sunshine State is another no-tax haven that’s especially attractive to retirees and remote workers. Cities like Ocala (second on PODS) and Jacksonville (10th) are booming with growth and sunshine.

North Carolina

Raleigh (third) and Wilmington (tied for first) are stealing some of California’s spotlight with booming tech and healthcare sectors, low living costs, and family-friendly communities. North Carolina offers a strong job market without the sticker shock of California.

South Carolina

Greenville-Spartanburg (fourth) and Myrtle Beach (tied for first) are charming, offer job opportunities, and have a much lower cost of living. It’s Southern hospitality that’s attracting many Californians. California’s still got the sunshine, but for many, it’s just not worth the price tag anymore.

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