Priced Out: New data on who’s leaving California, where they go, and whether it pays off

 

Illustration of a map of California and the US, showing people packing a moving van, a recent college grad walking out of CA, two couples (middle aged and seniors) walking with suitcases in the Midwest, and a stack of overdue bills, a calculator, and some cash, sitting on the outline of California

In a groundbreaking new report: Priced Out: Relocation Amidst California’s Affordability Crisis, we use uniquely detailed data to track individual movers over the last decade. How do they differ from their neighbors who stay in California, where do they move, and how does moving affect them financially?

On April 9th, 2026, CPL hosted an event at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento to share new insights on affordability and migration, followed by a panel discussion on the implications for California policy.

Speakers included:
Lindsey Holden, Political Reporter, Politico (moderator)
Chas Alamo, Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst, Legislative Analyst’s Office
Teri Olle, Vice President, Economic Security California Action
Evan White, Executive Director, California Policy Lab’s UC Berkeley site

 

 

Stay Informed