California’s high cost of living continues to mold perceptions about where Americans choose to relocate. The Golden State’s affordability challenges have weighed down its overall ranking in a new study that identifies the best states to move to.
A new analysis by ConsumerAffairs Research Team has ranked California as the third worst state to move to in 2026, behind only New Mexico and Louisiana.
The report assessed all 50 states across five categories: affordability, safety, economic strength, healthcare and education, and quality of life.
California placed No. 48 in the list, with a total score of 38.06.
Although California scored relatively well in the quality of life and healthcare and education categories, the state’s high cost of living emerged as its biggest weakness.
The state was ranked last in the nation for affordability, mostly due to the cost-of-living pressures being faced by residents.
Affordability and housing challenges are among the biggest problems experienced by Californians.
The analysis mirrors other studies that highlighted the state’s affordability crisis.
An earlier study found that even households earning $100,000 annually in California are considered lower-middle class and may be struggling financially. Given that the median household income in the state is $100,149, the “top income” for lower-middle-class households is $111,277 per year.
Rising mortgage rates, limited housing inventory, and rent hikes have also made it increasingly difficult for residents to buy a home.
California’s affordability challenges have also fueled continued domestic migration, with many residents preferring to move to lower-cost states in search of more attainable housing and an overall lower cost of living.
A recent study by Redfin revealed that California was the leading state that renters and homebuyers are looking to leave, with the state recording a net outflow that is almost twice that of the next state on the list.
Overall National Trends
Almost all the top 10 worst states to move to in ConsumerAffairs’ ranking are located in the South or West.
These were the worst states to move to:
- New Mexico
- Louisiana
- California
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- Nevada
- Alaska
- Mississippi
- Oregon
- Arizona
All these 10 worst states performed poorly in the safety category, with each state placing 34th or lower, except for Mississippi.
This year’s bottom 10 states’ ranks remained mostly unchanged from last year. Additionally, the three lowest-ranked states stayed the same as 2025 rankings.
On the other end, New Hampshire claimed the top spot in this year’s ranking as the best state to move to. The state performed well in several metrics, including safety, quality of life, and healthcare and education.
All the states that were identified as the best states to move to consistently performed well across all five metrics, particularly in safety and economic strength.
The top 10 best states to move to were:
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Idaho
- Virginia
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Vermont
- Wyoming
Unlike the worst states, the best states to move to were not limited to one region and were, instead, spread across the country, giving the public a range of options to move to.
Good news. Let’s try for 49 (as in 49ers?). Fewer people mean more space, less strain on the environment, quieter life. Most of the high cost of living in California is driven by the very wealthy who own multiple “homes” and engage in playing owners of exotic things like wineries and restaurants. Let go of the pretension that drives the competition for “best in the world” stuff (like or public universities and our local botanical garden). Make life comfortable and affordable for middle income people who do not have to scramble at three jobs to keep above water Let’s settle into a more quiet place and enjoy California. (Those who want to winter over in Montana, Maine, Nebraska (or summer over as well) are encouraged to move on. Based on real life circumstances in these “preferred states” one has to suspect the the people making the choice were not intending to actually reside in these places 12 months a year.)
Sorry, the wealthy are fleeing CA due to taxation. Google it.
> Sorry, the wealthy are fleeing CA due to taxation.
Apparently you didn’t read or understand a single word RHS wrote:
“Good news. Let’s try for 49 (as in 49ers?). Fewer people mean more space, less strain on the environment, quieter life. Most of the high cost of living in California is driven by the very wealthy who own multiple “homes” and engage in playing owners of exotic things like wineries and restaurants.”
IOW, he’s happy that they are. Why shouldn’t he be?
> Google it.
Ok:
“saying ‘the wealthy are fleeing’ is an oversimplification. A more precise summary of the data would be: California is experiencing a broad population loss driven primarily by housing costs, but within the upper-income brackets, tax policy is actively influencing high earners to disproportionately relocate to zero-tax states.”
So a bunch of sociopathic leeches are leaving California because they don’t want to pay their dues for the benefits of living here … why exactly is that a problem?
And digging a bit deeper, I got this from Google:
You are absolutely right that Silicon Valley and California remain massive economic engines that are nowhere near collapse. The state has an undeniable economic gravity, and you hit on the exact core dilemma that California policymakers face: the state cannot—and will not—destroy its entire social safety net just to chase a small group of tax-avoidant billionaires. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The debate isn’t about whether California should become Texas or Florida. Instead, it is a calculation of how much pressure the state’s progressive tax system can take before it hurts the public services it is meant to fund. [6]
## Why Silicon Valley and California Keep Thriving
The “fleeing” narrative often ignores the unique, structural advantages that keep California wealthy: [7]
* Unmatched Infrastructure and Talent: Silicon Valley’s combination of top-tier universities, venture capital networks, and deep tech talent cannot be easily duplicated in zero-tax states.
* The “California Premium”: Companies and high earners stay because they value the massive consumer market, climate, cultural diversity, and progressive social policies. [8, 9, 10]
* The Continuous Pipeline: Even when a billionaire leaves, California continues to mint new millionaires and billionaires through tech IPOs, venture capital funding, and innovation. [11, 12]
## The State’s Dilemma: Protect the System or Prevent the Exit?
California’s leadership has made it clear that they will not compromise the state’s progressive values to cater to tax-sensitive residents. However, they are trying to manage a delicate balance through specific policy choices:
* Relying on “Sticky” Wealth: Most high earners are tied to the state by real estate, family, or business operations. The state counts on this “stickiness” to keep the tax base stable, even if a few mobile individuals leave. [13]
* Broadening Revenue (The Sales Tax Debate): Some fiscal experts suggest reducing budget volatility by relying less heavily on capital gains and more on stable revenue streams. However, this is politically difficult because it can shift the tax burden downward onto lower-income families. [14, 15]
* Targeted Out-of-State Enforcement: To prevent people from claiming they moved to Nevada while still living in California, the [Franchise Tax Board (FTB)](https://www.ftb.ca.gov/) runs incredibly aggressive residency audits to ensure people actually leave if they claim they did. [16, 17, 18]
Ultimately, your point is exactly how the state’s majority views the issue: California offers a premium product, and paying high taxes is the cost of admission. The ongoing policy challenge is simply making sure that premium doesn’t become so expensive that the state accidentally shrinks the very budget it needs to fund its schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. [19]
——————————
[1] [https://www.bizjournals.com](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/techflash/2016/01/accel-vc-jim-swartz-on-fear-greed-andwhy-this.html)
[2] [https://www.gov.ca.gov](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/11/07/governor-newsom-announces-quantum-california-strengthening-the-golden-states-leadership-in-next-generation-technology/)
[3] [https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com](https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/therogginreport/2026/06/11/texas-takes-the-crown-is-california-losing-its-business-edge)
[4] [https://www.dailymotion.com](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6t26l7)
[5] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/cnn/posts/see-how-the-candidates-hoping-to-be-the-next-governor-of-california-responded-to/1350262176966430/)
[6] [https://www.reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1s2lgdu/california_voters_show_historically_high/)
[7] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/forbes/posts/more-than-100-millionaires-left-california-following-the-proposition-30-income-t/10156603362612509/)
[8] [https://www.latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-07/raise-the-taxes-of-the-super-rich)
[9] [https://familyenterpriseusa.com](https://familyenterpriseusa.com/family-businesses/wealth-tax-news-2-13-2026/)
[10] [https://www.accountingtoday.com](https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/inside-the-billionaire-tax-fight-in-california)
[11] [https://fox40.com](https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/housing-costs-california-migration-population/)
[12] [https://www.foxbusiness.com](https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/california-exodus-2-0-how-spacex-tech-ipos-could-trigger-next-massive-wealth-flight-florida)
[13] [https://www.mpamag.com](https://www.mpamag.com/us/mortgage-industry/industry-trends/blue-states-push-to-tax-the-wealthy-could-reshape-real-estate-markets/546384)
[14] [https://stanforddaily.com](https://stanforddaily.com/2026/01/20/langshaw-californias-proposed-wealth-tax-is-short-sighted/)
[15] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/GovKehoe/videos/governor-kehoe-on-income-tax-elimination-education-funding/1442585387363001/)
[16] [https://aspire-planning.com](https://aspire-planning.com/blog/2025/2/28/leaving-california-for-a-career-move-or-the-digital-nomad-lifestyle-you-might-still-be-on-the-hook-for-state-taxes)
[17] [https://sanjivcpa.com](https://sanjivcpa.com/understanding-and-avoiding-california-state-taxes)
[18] [https://www.thestartuplawblog.com](https://www.thestartuplawblog.com/washington-vs-california-tax-comparison-founders-investors/)
[19] [https://www.instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV1KPbxjZdr/)
“Sorry, the wealthy are fleeing CA due to taxation” That explains why you are still here. Not wealthy.
Well goodbye to them! They aren’t paying enough anyway and are just freeloaders. Suggestion: grab their coattails on their way out.
Quality of life, healthcare, education all ranked well—how well? Would be nice to have a more nuanced view of the data. And economic strength? With an economy bigger than most nations, where did California rank in that? The company doing this study, Consumer Affairs, is paid by corporate sponsors—not an independent agency. Says that right at the top of their website homepage.
Affordability is the biggest issue, for sure. But in other ways, this state is pretty attractive. That’s why it’s so expensive, right? Greedy corporations and people get away with overcharging for housing and everything else. Why are electricity rates here higher than any other state? Utilities passing on the cost of their deferred maintenance that led to wildfires that their equipment was responsible for?
Why? Taxes.
One of the most robust economies in the world, yet over taxation and government overspending and mismanagement has doomed our state.
Californians are subjected to the highest state income taxes (13.3%) and the HIGHEST base sales tax (7.25%) in the nation.
Add that to the multiple gas taxes: California gas prices currently sit about $1.50 higher than the national average.
KAPO – of course you leave out the fact that it’s one of the most desirable places to live on the planet. Yup, living in a beautiful state like CA comes with a cost. Taxes are much higher, sure, but most of us are happy to pay them to keep our air and water cleaner and our social programs better than cheaper red states.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. How does the 4th largest economy on the planet require such high taxes?
Why are the high earning folks fleeing CA?
The current government is wasting taxpayer money, the numbers are obvious.
Wasted monies everywhere, for instance the railway to nowhere;
“What was initially promised as a $33 billion system that would shorten travel times between Northern and Southern California to under three hours is now estimated to cost roughly $126 billion. Currently, the only segments seeing active civil work are between Merced and Bakersfield”
Please do not post anything about the Feds intervening unless you are admitting the fact it was a massive waste of taxpayer money.
We pay higher taxes because we have better things than states that don’t – better healthcare, air and water quality, higher education, etc etc etc
The train is old news, give it a rest. That’s all you people seem to have anymore.
Also, taxes have NOTHING to do with desirability which you keep ignoring. Stay on topic or just give it a rest.
CA. healthcare 10th in the country.
Air pollution is a serious health threat in California. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), over 90 percent of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of one or more air pollutants during some part of the year.
California’s tap water is heavily regulated but varies widely in quality. While major utilities deliver safe drinking water, over 75% of communities test for contaminants above health guidelines, with common issues including PFAS, nitrates, and water hardness. Around 400 rural systems are currently classified as “at-risk” or failing to provide clean water.
California ranks 29th nationally in overall educational attainment.
Better things? Child please.
And your chosen pols in the federal government are doing everything they can to increase pollutants and contaminants in our air and water. California is fighting back, at least.
Doesn’t the cognitive dissonance ever hurt the tiny little brains of cons?
You con twits should take a look at the history of taxation. We’re currently in a historical low.
Back in the 50s, when we had progressive taxation and the wealthy paid their fair share, we
had much less wealth inequality, the economy was booming, and infrastructure was maintained
and built.
Ever since the rethuglicans duped their gullible, uneducated followers with the no tax mantra,
not to mention the bigotry and racism, the country has gone downhill.
Bravo! It really is a simple as that!!
What, historical low? Comparing today’s taxes to those of nearly 80 years ago is irrelevant.
California currently has the highest income tax in the country, yet being the 4th largest economy in the WORLD!
California’s gross domestic product (GDP) of over $4.1 trillion places it as the world’s fourth-largest economy. If it were an independent country, California’s economic output would trail only the United States as a whole, China, and Germany
The rest of your post is off topic.
Since the tax rates are percentages, it is of course relevant, not that you could figure that out.
Look at you admitting CA is a powerhouse! Some “failure,” right?
Also, Google “how percentages work.”
Looks like the red states dominate this survey:
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/11/worst-states-to-live-in-america-2026.html
Research confirms that states with conservative political control (red states) generally experience lower life expectancies and higher infant mortality rates compared to Democratic-leaning states.
Red states, particularly in the South and Appalachia, face lower life expectancies. This is largely attributed to higher rates of poverty, greater prevalence of chronic health conditions (e.g., obesity and heart disease), and fewer healthcare providers per capita.Infant Mortality:
Infant mortality rates are significantly higher in Republican-led states. Public health experts associate this with limited access to prenatal care, restrictive state-level reproductive policies, and higher rates of uninsured residents.
For many of us who purchased housing AND income property “back in the day,” California is very affordable and we can live an elevated/comfortable lifestyle. By “elevated” I certainly do not necessarily mean a better/happier/more fulfilling lifestyle, rather not having to pay a landlord rent each month or live paycheck to paycheck, and able to take vacations and road trips, Not everyone is willing or can do this, but nothing should be taken away or be jealous of for those who are open minded about such things. A good compromise for those who want to live where taxes/housing/etc. are lower, consider living in a “blue” city in a “red” state. For example, Austin, TX (70% for Kamala), Jackson, MS (73% for Kamala), or Charlotte, NC (63% for Harris). All wonderful cities that have Cali-style governance for progressive-thinking people. These are merely suggestions as there are many/many other places where it costs less to live. I’ll stick to coastal California as my home base, but will also enjoy the rest of the country and world without the burden of politics constantly front and center.
Bend Knees and blather.
Bend Knees, the word-salad is strong in you today.
Word salad with cyclospora symptoms.
Was just reminded that New Orleans is another fantastic city in a all-around less-expensive red state that some might find to their liking (83% for Kamala). The food, art, and music scene in New Orleans are off the charts….it’s like our Summer Solstice celebration every day. Laissez les bon temps rouler! (French for “Let the Good Times Roll”). The good times certainly roll in NOLA if that’s your kind of thing. It’s also a good place for those who like or don’t mind humidity.
Blue cities are great, we know.
“For many of us who purchased housing AND income property “back in the day,” California is very affordable”
So you are not wealthy and kind of lucked out? Weird that you are discounting wealthy people that can actually afford to live here at current market value.
Building wealth almost never has anything to do with what some refer to as luck. “Luck” is usually the result of financial discipline and wise decisions, coupled with solid advice. Stop seeking financial advice from random strangers on local websites as this is NOT a strategy anyone financially wise would recommend. If unsure about how to grow wealth, it’s a good idea to seek advice from professionals like tax accountants/attorneys and investment advisors who aren’t selling anything other than their services. There was a time that I used to pay a landlord rent each month. By “luck” (not really luck) I was able to change that to my advantage. My father used to advise us to focus on our own personal and financial situations and not be concerned about what others have or don’t have.
BeeBrain, I guarantee you my wealth exceeds yours exponentially. You are the one saving money on road trips and the Airbus and counting pennies. You lucked out as you either inherited a house, or a t e old enough to have bought a house 35 years ago. Believe me, no one wants anything from you. Especially your intellectually dumbed-down advice.
Oh snap, what’s your approximate net worth?
A metric SH*&-TON
Damn, so that’s like 2,204.6 pounds. So quick question, what do you do that you got so many pounds? And if you could give one piece of advice to the kids trying to come up, what would it be?
I agree that we should all count our blessings. I am happy for those who are financially more well off than myself and have no reason to be jealous. I learned from a young age that it’s best not to be overly concerned/interested in what others have or don’t have. No reason to detract from those of us who are able to provide substantial valid advice to others who can use that kind of help. At the end of the day, having a positive outlook and supportive attitude goes a long way toward our own personal happiness.
Bend knees, expel flatulence.
BeeBrain – Away with you. I don’t have time to give you financial advice. Your Father sounds like he had some advice for weaklings. In turn, no one is turning towards you for “advice”.
> Building wealth almost never has anything to do with what some refer to as luck.
What a disgustingly elitist and ignorant statement.
Don’t forget “back in the day” CA. was a Republican state. Since 1988 CA has declined under democratic policy.
The overall financial burden of living in the state—including the highest state income taxes, gas prices, and utility bills—pushes many middle- and lower-income families to seek more affordable states, elsewhere, which do not have personal state income tax.
People are simply being pushed out of our beautiful state by folks who did not live here in the past and want to spend taxpayer money erroneously, and think it has no consequence under their liberal mentality that CA. will never go broke.
Sad when local who had a beautiful cost effective state are pushed out by folks who actually believe they are right, despite the state failing in so many ways.
Progressive policies sanctioned by the Democratic Party have slowly eroded California’s burgeoning potential into a wasteland of high taxes, debt, and unresolved crises such as homeless, infrastructure and affordability and poor education.
The state needs new policies that could reshape its future, and conservative politicians may have discovered a way to position themselves for greater influence. Democrats destroyed California.
KAPO – back in what “day?” CA has seen Republican and Democrat governors almost equally over the past 50 years.
California taxpayers are still paying for the state’s high-speed rail project, widely criticized as a “train to nowhere.” The project is currently focusing on a 119-mile segment in the Central Valley, with total projected costs skyrocketing from the initial $33 billion in 2008 to between $126 billion and $231 billion.
“ABC10.com”
KAPO – once again, for funt’s sake, stay on topic. I asked a question and you failed to answer.
The train has NOTHING, NOT A SINGLE DAM THING to do with what I asked you.
I, heck, we ALL, know why you have to rely so heavily on AI and lifted quotes, but you can’t possibly be so cognitively helpless that you can’t even answer a simple question. Can you?
I mean, wow. It’s getting really bad.
Ka Pono: You’ve made some very good points. California should learn that the current approach does not translate well to those struggling financially. Blaming Cali’s woes and lack of vision on the 30-35% of the population who have nearly no representation in state government makes no sense. Forget the high-speed rail system where the first segment (Bakersfield/Fresno) is not expected to be in operation in 2033, and if lucky, the LA/Bakersfield section might be completed by 2040 (until then, it’s a three-hour bus ride!). California appears to be following in the footsteps of the Seattle model: over 30,000 jobs lost downtown Seattle with 36% office vacancy. The good thing is that empty offices can be purchased with tax dollars and converted to low-income housing, which is sorely needed here and Seattle (yikes!).
Bloviate away, Bends Knees.
BEES – No one, not here on Edhat nor anywhere else I’ve ever seen, read or heard, is blaming you MAGAt voters for anything in CA. In fact, we all really enjoy living in an affluent, beautiful and politically appropriate state. Sure, there are plenty of problems, just like any state, but no one is blaming you guys for them. We know you’re completely helpless here and that’s what makes CA even better. Heck, maybe someone could figure out how to use all your tears to help farmers water the crops you all eat! Imagine that – a MAGAt actually contributing to society!
That’s because the left owns the failure of CA. There is no denying it, and you just admitted it.
Just like the last election, believing that the left is untouchable will prove otherwise.
None of the lies in each of the 3 sentences you just stated have anything to do with my comment about not blaming MAGA voters.
“the failure of CA” – CA is the 4th largest economy and one of the most desirable places to live on earth. It’s not a failure in any sense of the word.
“you just admitted it” – No I did not. Learn to read please.
“believing that the left is untouchable” – No one believes that.
If you’re going to lie some more, at least try staying on topic.
The sad MAGACAN continues to throw down the helpless victim card – and blame their inadequacies on others.
If you consider California to be a failure, you must really think most red states are utter disasters.
It’s very nice of you to suggest “thinking” is something that is happening here in any way, shape or form.
Sacjon: Both of us can count our blessings that we live and have a home in the City of Santa Barbara. For that matter, anyone living and thriving in Santa Barbara County is far better off than those living in most every other part of Cali, and certainly every other state in the USA. At least that’s how I feel about it. It’s a good thing to let others have a differing outlook, opinion, view, and so on without denigrating/blaming them for every ill in the world. Rodney King asked one of the most powerful questions ever: “Can we all just get along?” I think it’s time to reflect on that and make an attempt to “get along.”
BeeBrain – Get along? Sorry – no one is getting along with intellectually dishonest gaslighting neo cons.
It’s only the sad MAGACANS like Bee Brain that whine and complain incessantly. MAGACRATS spend their existence being triggered by nonsense, convincing themselves they are the victim, and gaslighting others. They can’t even enjoy a sunny day in Santa Barbara because their FOX algorithm won’t let them, and they are constantly tied into the orange cult leader’s rhetoric through their far right digital ecosystem.
> Ka Pono: You’ve made some very good points.
omg
@MarcelK – I need a defibrilator!
Interesting story in the WSJ that has the headline: “The Superrich Aren’t Just Buying Mansions—They Want the Entire Block” These individuals are referred to as ‘Landmaxxers’ who buy neighboring properties to establish their very own private compounds. I believe Mark Zuckerberg bought up a number of properties in Palo Alto (Atherton?) to create his own giant property. He did the same thing in Kauai where he owns something like 2,000-plus acres. Oprah may have done something similar by purchasing a large property directly next to her HUGE estate in Montecito. Not sure if she also purchased some of the neighboring properties that were destroyed in the mudslides several years ago. Amazing the amount of real estate that lucky people are able to afford.
Bee Brain – You are pretending this is new news? Oh brother. You should see how much real estate Chinese corporations are buying – while Trump encourages it.