Houston is now a top destination for Californians fleeing high housing costs, with a new study revealing how much they’re saving by relocating to Texas.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The migration from California to Texas continues at a staggering pace, and Harris County stands out as one of the top destinations for former Golden State residents seeking lower housing costs, more space and growing economic opportunities.
According to a new study by StorageCafe, nearly 100,000 Californians relocated to Texas in 2023 alone, averaging 262 people per day, the equivalent of an entire city like Santa Barbara picking up and moving. Harris County and Travis County each attracted over 10,000 of these movers, placing them among the top relocation destinations in the state.
Why Californians are choosing Texas, and Harris County in particular
Roughly 16% of all out-of-state newcomers to Texas came from California, the study found. What’s luring them? Housing in Texas is, on average, 63% less expensive than in California, with rents about 32% lower, and Harris County offers some of the most striking savings.
For example, former Los Angeles County residents who moved to Harris County saw home prices drop by as much as 82%. Renters, too, found relief: Californians who moved from Orange County or the Bay Area to Harris County cut their monthly rents by up to 52%.
The financial upside is attracting a wide range of transplants, especially millennials and Gen Zers, who together make up a majority of movers. Many are bringing above-average incomes, with 27% working remotely and about a third holding at least a bachelor’s degree. In Harris County, the average income of LA transplants sits just under $48,000 — above the state average, but lower than their counterparts in Austin.
Houston’s growing appeal: Affordability, jobs, and housing mix
Houston’s diverse economy — spanning energy, logistics, health care, manufacturing and an emerging tech sector — offers stability and opportunity for newcomers.
As remote work grows, Houston is also seeing a bump in young professionals and mid-career talent taking advantage of the city’s relative affordability and quality of life.
To keep pace, Harris County’s multifamily housing stock has surged by 114% over the past decade, according to StorageCafe. That proactive development has made renting more accessible while housing costs, though rising, remain substantially lower than many California metro areas.
“The continued growth of the Houston area has pushed housing costs up over the last few years,” said Daniel Potter, Director of Houston Population Research Center at Rice University’s Kinder Institute. “Migration has a role in this, but it is not clear if this is primarily brought on by migration from California relative to other areas around the country and world.”
Silicon Valley and SoCal transplants bet big on Houston
While Austin and Dallas often get headlines for tech migration, Houston is quietly becoming a top choice for Californians looking to stretch their budgets. Among the top money-saving moves for homeowners and renters is Santa Clara County to Harris County, where homeownership costs drop by 82%.
In fact, six of the top 10 California-to-Texas moving routes originate in Los Angeles County. Harris County ranks second overall in attracting LA residents — just behind Travis County — with nearly 2,300 people making the move in a single year.
Even Orange County transplants are flocking to Houston. With median home prices in Harris County about 72% lower than in Orange County, many are able to buy homes shortly after moving — 41% of them within their first year, according to the study.
Final takeaway
Whether driven by affordability, lifestyle, or job flexibility, the California-to-Texas migration continues to reshape major Texas counties, especially Harris County. With housing still markedly cheaper and economic opportunities expanding, Houston remains a top choice for those seeking a fresh start without breaking the bank.
The analysis was conducted by StorageCafe using the latest U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample (2023). It examined 30 popular county-to-county migration routes between California and Texas, alongside data on housing costs, demographics, education, income, remote work, and self-storage trends.
For the full analysis, visit StorageCafe’s study.