California is famous for its gorgeous landscapes, lively cities, and chill vibe. But lately, more people are packing up and leaving the state. In this post, we’ll dive into the top 10 California cities seeing the most departures, why folks are moving out, and how home prices are changing. You might be surprised by some of the cities on this list—let’s get into it!
10. Fresno
First up is Fresno. Known for its farming roots and proximity to Yosemite, about 12,000 people have left Fresno in the past year, which is a 2.2% drop from its population of 545,000. Economic struggles, slow job growth, and higher crime rates are some reasons people are moving out. However, home prices are steady, with a median price of $385,000.
9. San Jose
Next is San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley. About 25,000 people have moved out of this tech hub, marking a 2.4% decrease in its population of over 1 million. High living costs and a super competitive job market are making people leave. The median home price? A sky-high $1.47 million, though prices have started to dip a bit.
8. Long Beach
Long Beach, known for the Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific, comes in at number 8. Around 14,000 people have moved out, which is a 3% drop from its population of 466,000. Rising housing costs, economic uncertainty, and public safety concerns are driving people away. The median home price here is $845,000, up 7% from last year.
7. Los Angeles
The City of Angels, with a population of nearly 3.9 million, has seen over 119,000 people move out, a 3.1% decrease. High living costs, traffic, and homelessness are some of the reasons folks are leaving. The median home price in LA is $1.1 million, with prices dropping slightly by 1.5%.
6. Sacramento
California’s capital, Sacramento, has also seen a population drop. Nearly 18,000 people left this city, a 3.3% decrease from its population of 526,000. Sacramento is famous for its NBA team, the Kings, but rising living costs are driving people away. The median home price here is $485,000, up 4.2% over the past year.
5. Oakland
Oakland, part of the Bay Area, takes the number 5 spot. With a population of 428,000, about 20,000 people have left, which is a 4.7% drop. While Oakland is known for its culture, arts, and history, high crime and soaring living costs are making people move out. The median home price is $850,000, slightly down by 3% recently.
4. San Francisco
San Francisco is next on the list. Known for the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars, over 40,000 people have left the city, which is a 4.7% decrease in its population of 885,000. With sky-high housing costs and a growing homelessness issue, it’s no surprise people are leaving. The median home price is $1.45 million, with a 3.5% drop lately.
3. Huntington Beach
At number 3, we’ve got Huntington Beach, a sunny beach town in SoCal. Known for its surf scene, about 11,000 people have moved out, which is a 5.3% drop from its population of 198,000. High living costs are pushing residents away, despite the beach vibes. The median home price here is $1.3 million, up 10% from last year.
2. Anaheim
Anaheim, home to Disneyland, comes in at number 2. With a population of 346,000, around 22,000 people have left, which is a 6% drop. High costs of living are making people look elsewhere. The median home price in Anaheim is $920,000, up 10% in the last year.
1. Pasadena
Topping the list is Pasadena, with the biggest population drop in the state. Despite its small population of 140,000, around 15,000 people have left, a huge 10.7% drop. Famous for the Rose Bowl and Caltech, Pasadena’s high living costs and congestion are making residents move out. The median home price here is $1.85 million, with a slight dip expected soon.
And that’s the rundown of the top 10 California cities people are leaving the most. Interestingly, San Diego isn’t on the list, as it continues to be a top spot to live despite high costs. So, if you’re thinking about making a move to or from one of these cities, keep these trends in mind!
