Migration in the U.S. — California has the Most People Leaving
Published November 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM · News Releases and Bulletins
Retirement Living took a look at last year’s Census Bureau figures on who is moving from one state to another. The firm’s research team found people of all ages are flocking to states in the South.
Overall, Texas and Florida are the most popular. The state with the biggest exodus is the PIA Western Alliance state of California. All generational age groups are abandoning the Golden State for greener pastures.
First, some generation definitions:
The Silent Generation — born between 1928 and 1945
Baby Boomers — born between 1946 and 1964
Generation X — born between 1965 and 1980
Millennials — born between 1981 and 1996
Generation Z — born between1997 and 2012
Retirement Living didn’t note why people are leaving the states they’re leaving, nor did it look at the reasons for the moves. You will have to discover why for yourself.
- Texas gained the most new residents and had a net migration of 72,700 people
- Texas is getting more Millennials than any other state
- South Carolina has the biggest migration of Generation Z
- Florida is the prime destination for Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation
- Net migration in Florida is 47,000
- Baby Boomers are moving to Florida more than anyone with 38,000 more coming than going
The one thing that all generations have in common is leaving California. It has the highest negative net migration rate by all the generations. It had a negative net loss of 254,332 people. That’s double the number 2 state, New York.
Retirement Living’s researchers think the high cost of living is the main reason for the California and New York State exits. For California, wildfires could also be an issue.
Overall, people seem to be going South. The reason might be the warmer climate and a cost of living that is less than many of the Northern and Easter states. Of the top 10 positive migration states, eight are in the South.
Though not technically in the “South,” Arizona and Nevada are also seeing a huge migration swing.
Here’s a breakdown:
Where the Silent Generation is moving to and From:
1. Florida
Net migration: 9,105
Inflow: 38,222
Outflow: 29,117
2. Texas
Net migration: 5,128
Inflow: 15,837
Outflow: 10,709
3. South Carolina
Net migration: 3,261
Inflow: 8,597
Outflow: 5,336
4. North Carolina
Net migration: 2,992
Inflow: 11,989
Outflow: 8,997
5. Virginia
Net migration: 2,854
Inflow: 9,348
Outflow: 6,494
Where they’re leaving:
51. California
Net migration: -10,491
Inflow: 13,110
Outflow: 23,601
50. New York
Net migration: -8,324
Inflow: 6,015
Outflow: 14,339
49. Illinois
Net migration: -5,855
Inflow: 5,094
Outflow: 10,949
48. Colorado
Net migration: -2,457
Inflow: 4,437
Outflow: 7,684
47. Michigan
Net migration: -2,341
Inflow: 5,343
Outflow: 7,684
Where Baby Boomers are moving to and from:
1. Florida
Net migration: 37,924
Inflow: 98,872
Outflow: 55,948
2. Arizona
Net migration: 13,476
Inflow: 34,779
Outflow: 21,303
3. South Carolina
Net migration: 8,326
Inflow: 21,649
Outflow: 13,323
4. North Carolina
Net migration: 7,654
Inflow: 29,844
Outflow: 22,190
5. Nevada
Net migration: 6,354
Inflow: 15,987
Outflow: 9,633
Where they’re leaving:
51. California
Net migration: -35,179
Inflow: 28,861
Outflow: 64,040
50. New York
Net migration: -27,768
Inflow: 17,318
Outflow: 42,086
49. Illinois
Net migration: -12-024
Inflow: 14,652
Outflow: 26,676
48. Washington
Net migration: -7,969
Inflow: 13,316
Outflow: 21,645
47. New Jersey
Net migration: -7,315
Inflow: 13,316
Outflow: 20,631
Where Generation X is moving to and from:
1. Florida
Net migration: 22,555
Inflow: 86,031
Outflow: 63,476
2. Texas
Net migration: 16,092
Inflow: 62,829
Outflow: 46,737
3. North Carolina
Net migration: 11,260
Inflow: 38,454
Outflow: 27,194
4. South Carolina
Net migration: 10,911
Inflow: 22,660
Outflow: 11,749
5. Nevada
Net migration: 9.005
Inflow: 21,372
Outflow: 12,367
Where they’re leaving:
51. California
Net migration: -39,512
Inflow: 40,020
Outflow: 79,532
50. New York
Net migration: -24,764
Inflow: 22,283
Outflow: 47,047
49. Illinois
Net migration: -13,228
Inflow: 17,773
Outflow: 31,001
48. New Jersey
Net migration: -9,268
Inflow: 16,940
Outflow: 26,208
47. Pennsylvania
Net migration: -5,922
Inflow: 21,776
Outflow: 27,698
Millennials moving to and from:
1. Texas
Net migration: 35,445
Inflow: 229,880
Outflow: 194,435
2. Washington
Net migration: 18,959
Inflow: 97,251
Outflow: 78,292
3. Georgia
Net migration: 18,663
Inflow: 103,770
Outflow: 85,107
4. Nevada
Net migration: 18,501
Inflow: 51,750
Outflow: 33,249
5. Maryland
Net migration: 15,328
Inflow: 71,517
Outflow: 56,189
Where they’re leaving:
51. California
Net migration: -79,004
Inflow: 175,419
Outflow: 254,423
50. New York
Net migration: -47,718
Inflow: 127,164
Outflow: 174,882
49. Illinois
Net migration: -17,358
Inflow: 79,765
Outflow: 97,123
48. Massachusetts
Net migration: -13,432
Inflow: 61,268
Outflow: 74,700
47. Florida
Net migration: -9,099
Inflow: 180,567
Outflow: 189,666
Generation Z where they’re moving to and from:
1. South Carolina
Net Migration: 15,925
Inflow: 45,043
Outflow: 29,118
2. North Carolina
Net migration: 15,333
Inflow: 62,731
Outflow: 47,398
3. Washington D.C.
Net migration: 12,792
inflow: 22,465
Outflow: 9,673
4. Tennessee
Net migration: 9,879
Inflow: 40,877
Outflow: 30,998
5. Missouri
Net migration: 8,196
Inflow: 37,140
Outflow: 28,944
Where they’re leaving:
51. California
Net migration: −40,771
Inflow: 94,331
Outflow: 135,102
50. New Jersey
Net migration: −37,251
Inflow: 23,016
Outflow: 60,267
49. Illinois
Net migration: −23,688
Inflow: 56,452 8
Outflow: 80,140
48. Maryland
Net migration: −12,396
Inflow: 30,676
Outflow: 43,072
47. Minnesota
Net migration: −10,634
Inflow: 26,067
Outflow: 36,701
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