Every destination
All 49 States California Homeowners Move To
Grouped by region rather than alphabet, because nobody chooses a destination alphabetically. Each state page carries the same comparison: what your California equity buys there, what you pay in taxes, and what the housing market is actually doing. Figures shown below are Census median home values for current owners in each state.
Start with the region
Most people narrow to a region first, then a metro, then a neighborhood. Jump to the group you are actually considering.
The Mountain West and Pacific
The shortest moves and the easiest ones to reverse. Prices are the highest of any group here, and Washington and Oregon are close enough to California that some of what you are leaving follows you.
Nevada$441,100 median home value
Arizona$411,200 median home value
Idaho$428,600 median home value
Utah$517,700 median home value
Colorado$550,300 median home value
Montana$392,300 median home value
Wyoming$298,700 median home value
New Mexico$256,300 median home value
Oregon$484,800 median home value
Washington$576,000 median home value
Alaska$347,500 median home value
Hawaii$846,400 median home valueTexas and the South Central states
Where the largest share of California homeowners end up. No state income tax in Texas, but property tax rates that surprise people who only compared the sticker price of the house.
The Southeast
The fastest growing destinations after Texas. Mild winters, lower carrying costs, and summer humidity that is a genuine adjustment for anyone coming from a dry California climate.
The Midwest and Plains
The strongest equity conversion in the country. Your California proceeds go furthest here. The tradeoff is winter, and in most of these markets, slower resale if you change your mind.
Ohio$220,200 median home value
Indiana$225,900 median home value
Illinois$263,300 median home value
Michigan$236,100 median home value
Wisconsin$272,500 median home value
Minnesota$328,600 median home value
Iowa$213,300 median home value
Missouri$233,600 median home value
Kansas$219,800 median home value
Nebraska$245,200 median home value
South Dakota$268,200 median home value
North Dakota$246,700 median home valueThe Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Usually a family move rather than a financial one. Several of these states carry a tax burden comparable to California, and a few add transfer or exit taxes at the sale. Worth reading the detail before you commit.
New Hampshire$415,400 median home value
Maine$310,700 median home value
Vermont$332,000 median home value
Massachusetts$570,800 median home value
Rhode Island$411,800 median home value
Connecticut$367,800 median home value
New York$420,200 median home value
New Jersey$461,000 median home value
Pennsylvania$259,900 median home value
Delaware$359,700 median home value
Maryland$413,600 median home valueNarrow it down with real numbers
Comparing three states at once is where most people stall. Your equity report puts your own home against each destination you are considering, side by side.