Dallas–Fort Worth Among Top Destinations for Californians Moving to Texas

Dallas and Fort Worth have become two of the hottest landing spots for Californians relocating to Texas, with nearly 100,000 making the move in a single year, according to a new analysis from StorageCafe.

As reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the study used 2023 U.S. Census data to identify the top 30 relocation routes from California to Texas at the county level. On average, about 262 people leave California for Texas every day—enough to repopulate an entire city like Santa Barbara in a year.

Dallas–Fort Worth in the Top 10

Tarrant County, home to Fort Worth, ranked fifth in the state with 6,936 move-ins from California, while Dallas County came in sixth with 6,708. The report found that about 16% of all out-of-state newcomers to Texas now come from California, reshaping demographics and housing markets in major cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.

Who’s Making the Move

Millennials dominate the migration wave, making up 31% of California-to-Texas movers, followed by Gen Z (20%) and Gen X (15%). Many are high earners who work remotely and have incomes above the Texas average.

For these movers, Texas offers more space and better affordability—often up to 1,000 extra square feet of living space—thanks to sprawling new developments and lower housing costs.

Why Texas Is So Attractive

The study highlights several drivers behind the trend:

• Housing affordability – Texas homes cost about 63% less than in California, and rents are around 32% cheaper.
  
• No state income tax – Offering a financial advantage for both workers and retirees.
  
• Lower cost of living – Allowing residents to stretch their income further.
  
• Job opportunities – Texas’ diversified economy continues to grow.
  

While the surge is putting added pressure on local housing markets—particularly in high-demand cities like Austin—the state still offers lifestyle and financial advantages that continue to attract newcomers from the West Coast.