Cost of living pricing Californians out of the state

(The Center Square) – New research shows that Californians are being priced out of the state in growing numbers, mostly due to rising housing costs. And the decrease in population reportedly could cost the Golden State as many as four seats in Congress. The report, published by the California Policy Lab in March 2026, shows people who left California for other states paid an average of $2,376 in monthly housing costs in California. After leaving the state, they spent an average of $1,705 a month in housing costs, the report said. People who moved to different locations in California spent an average of $2,277 a month in housing costs after moving, an increase from $2,263 before moving to a different location in the state. People who moved from other states to California saw a big jump in their average monthly housing costs, spending an average of $1,754 before moving to California and $2,418 after moving here. “It just fur