Depends on how you look at it. California is losing residents to other states and as the population ages, but those losses are being more than offset by new births and foreign-born immigration. The number of Californians is still increasing, but our once-robust growth rate has slowed.1

Elon Musk is not the only person threatening to leave California. Dissatisfied residents have left in a minor exodus in recent years. In 2019, more than half a million Californians moved to Texas, alone.2

In the second quarter of 2019, the San Francisco Bay Area topped Los Angeles, Washington and Chicago when it came to people leaving major U.S. cities. It was second only to New York City.3

Craving a new locale featuring plenty of sunshine, easy access to the ocean and delicious food? Moving to California might be for you. California is among the biggest states in the nation, both in terms of land size and population, so there is a huge range of great places to live. However, California is also one of the most expensive places to move to in America, so be prepared to spend more of your income on necessities like housing and transportation than you may have in your previous home.4

Housing is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. The median home price in California is $552,800 compared to the National Average $231,200.5

Austin, Texas, takes the top spot on Bankrate’s list of the 10 best places to live in the U.S. in 2020.Overall, our list of best places spans the nation, encompassing cities in the West, East, Midwest and South. But Southern cities make up half the list, boasting traits like high affordability, desirable culture and solid educational attainment.6