Why Are Californians Who Moved To Texas Now Moving Back?

In 2020, as remote work exploded and big cities in California locked down, thousands of residents packed up and headed east. Austin, Texas, quickly became one of the hottest destinations for this migration. According to real estate agent and YouTuber Adam Finkelman of Living in Austin With Adam in Austin, between 2020 and 2022, over 111,000 people moved from California to Texas. Austin alone absorbed a large share of those new arrivals – sometimes 30 to 40% of newcomers in certain neighborhoods were from California.

The draw was obvious: bigger houses, lower taxes, and booming tech jobs. At the time, homes in Austin cost far less than those in places like San Francisco or Los Angeles. As Adam noted, many Californians found they could get a house in Texas that was 70% bigger, complete with a pool, for a fraction of the price.

Bigger Homes, Smaller Bills

Finkelman outlined how money played a huge role in the exodus. Californians were shocked by what they could afford in Texas. A $600,000 home in Austin might be comparable to a $2 million home in Orange County. On top of that, Texas has no state income tax, while California’s income tax can run over 10%. Daily costs – like groceries, gas, and car insurance – were significantly lower too.

According to Finkelman, the savings added up fast. “I spent like tens of thousands of dollars less this year living the same life,” said his interview guest, Adam Stone, a former California resident who tried life in Austin before moving back. Even utilities, groceries, and car registration were cheaper.

Austin’s Warm Welcome

One thing Stone emphasized in his conversation with Finkelman was Austin’s people. “I found myself getting caught up in conversations with people at the gas station,” he said. Austin had a warm, small-town vibe despite being a bustling city. People talked to strangers like they were neighbors.

That sense of community was a huge selling point. Austin’s culture – full of eclectic bars, taco trucks, music, and independent coffee shops – left a strong impression. “It’s a city but it’s a small town city,” Stone said. And with the startup scene booming, the city felt alive with opportunity.

Then the Heat Set In – Literally

But the honeymoon phase didn’t last. According to both Finkelman and Real Estate Informed host Scott Cheng, many Californians began to realize Texas came with some serious downsides. One major one: the weather.

Scott Cheng, who often visits Texas for real estate conferences, was blunt. “Texas during the summer? It is hot, hot, and humid.” For Californians used to San Diego’s mild 75-degree summers, Texas’ months-long triple-digit heat was unbearable. Cheng said Texans “don’t understand how hot and humid it can get,” and warned that some areas even see pipes freeze in winter – something rarely experienced in California.

It’s Not Just Heat – It’s Allergies, Dirt, and Rain

Stone echoed Cheng’s weather complaints. He described the dust and pollen that clung to everything, the difficulty of keeping a clean car, and how sudden Texas rainstorms left a grimy residue on everything. “My car is orange outside with pollen,” he joked.

These aren’t minor inconveniences – they affect quality of life. Even those with strong lungs find Texas air filled with allergens, especially in spring. Combine that with scorching summers and stormy winters, and it’s clear: Texas weather isn’t for everyone.

Affordability Faded Fast

Another big issue: Texas stopped being as cheap as it once seemed. Finkelman pointed out that while California’s real estate is still more expensive, Texas property taxes are higher, ranging from 1.6% to 1.8%. That surprises many new homeowners used to California’s average of around 1.2%.

Worse, housing prices in Austin skyrocketed after the migration boom. Some neighborhoods saw 40% price increases in just two years. The affordability that drew so many people in started to vanish. As Cheng warned, many Californians who sold their homes in California to buy in Texas found themselves priced out when they tried to return.

The Culture Gap Was Real

For many, Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” vibe didn’t match the Bay Area or LA lifestyle. Finkelman said that while Austin is a liberal bubble in a red state, the overall cultural values and political climate in Texas are very different. That left some Californians feeling like outsiders, especially as national polarization increased.

And the food scene? While Texas has stellar BBQ and Tex-Mex, Cheng highlighted what California offers that Texas doesn’t: a thriving farm-to-table movement, 87 Michelin-starred restaurants, and access to sushi, vegan options, and organic markets on every corner. “A man cannot live by steak alone,” Cheng joked.

Job Market Realities Hit Hard

Another reason Californians moved back was tied to work. Finkelman explained how remote jobs started to vanish by 2023 and 2024, as many tech companies called employees back to the office. That disrupted the entire reason many moved to Texas in the first place.

For Stone, starting a real estate business in a new market was tougher than expected. “It was tricky, man,” he said. Business relationships in Texas ran deep, and people were hesitant to work with someone new to town. The opportunities he once saw started to dry up, especially with a slowing market.

Family and Familiarity Pulled Them Back

Stone’s biggest reason for moving back? Home. “I didn’t really have these brotherhood friendships,” he admitted. Building relationships in a new city takes time, and many Californians left their support networks behind. Add in a rough job market and unexpected costs, and the pull of family and old friends became too strong to ignore.

Cheng added that many who moved to Texas in a rush were now struggling to re-enter California’s housing market. After selling in California and buying in Texas, the soaring prices back home made it nearly impossible to return to the same neighborhood.

Beaches, Mountains, and Bonfires

There’s also no replacing California’s geography. Cheng described how you can snowboard in the morning and have a bonfire on the beach that same night. For many, the ocean breeze, scenic coastlines, and outdoor adventures are part of daily life. In contrast, Texans may need to drive 8 hours just to get to a beach.

Even if Austin offered more affordable homes, it couldn’t offer the Pacific Ocean. That absence left a hole for many who grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of California.

Income Gap and Nightlife Disappointments

While housing was cheaper in Texas, income wasn’t necessarily higher. Cheng pointed out that salaries in Texas can be up to 40% lower than in California. With fewer entertainment options and nightlife closing earlier in most Texas cities, the vibrant energy of LA or SF was missing for many who craved it.

Add in fewer career paths in industries like media, fashion, and entertainment, and it’s clear why some former Californians started feeling stuck.

The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

What’s fascinating about this migration story is how fast perception changed. At first, Texas seemed like a dream – affordable, booming, and full of promise. But reality set in. Heat, isolation, job struggles, and lifestyle differences made many realize they didn’t just leave behind a state – they left behind their ecosystem, their comfort zone, and the places and people that shaped their identity.

It’s not that Texas is bad. In fact, for many, it’s still a great option. But as Finkelman and Cheng both show, moving isn’t just about money or space – it’s about community, culture, and compatibility. And sometimes, the place you left behind is still the one that feels most like home.

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The article Why Are Californians Who Moved To Texas Now Moving Back? first appeared on Survival World.