How People Are Pushed Out of California by Cost of Living

Vehicles head east on a Los Angeles freeway during the evening rush hour commute in Los Angeles, on April 12, 2023. Frederic Brown/AFP via Getty Images

While historically people have been willing to pay higher prices to live in California, recent migratory patterns showing net outflows suggest that some are choosing to move in search of more affordable options.

From housing to fuel, commodities, and services, Californians fork over more than the majority of the country for routine expenses, and according to residents, the downsides are adding up.