Thousands of Texans Are Moving Out, and These Are the States They’re Choosing
Texas has spent years as the place everyone seems to be moving to. New neighborhoods spring up outside Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio almost overnight, and moving trucks with out-of-state plates are a familiar sight. For many families, Texas has meant lower taxes, more space, and a fresh start.
But the traffic runs in both directions. While hundreds of thousands of people arrive in Texas every year, a large number of Texans are packing up and leaving. They are heading for mountain towns, beach communities, and in some cases right back to the states their families came from.
The latest federal figures show just how many people are making that choice, and where they are going. Here is what the numbers say about Texans moving out, the states they are choosing, and the reasons many of them give for leaving.
How Many Texans Are Leaving
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s state-to-state migration flows, based on the 2024 American Community Survey, nearly 484,000 people who lived in Texas a year earlier had moved to another state. That is close to half a million people in a single year, roughly the population of a large Texas city.
At the same time, more Americans moved into Texas than moved out. The same Census table shows roughly 560,000 people arriving from other states and U.S. territories, plus more than 300,000 who came from abroad. Texas is still growing, but it is also losing a remarkable number of residents.
These figures are survey estimates, so each one comes with a margin of error. Still, they offer the clearest picture available of where people actually went. They also show that the Texas boom story is more complicated than it first appears.
1. California
It may surprise some people, but the most popular destination for departing Texans in 2024 was California. The Census estimates that about 45,400 people moved from Texas to California that year. That is a striking twist, since California has also been one of the biggest sources of new Texans.
Some of these movers are Californians returning home after trying life in Texas. Others are taking jobs in the technology, entertainment, and health industries. For many, family ties pull them back to the West Coast despite higher housing costs.
California’s popularity with Texans does not mean the flow has reversed. Far more people still move from California to Texas than the other way around. But the two-way traffic between the nation’s two largest states is enormous.
2. Florida
Florida came in a very close second, with about 45,300 people moving there from Texas in 2024, according to the Census estimates. The difference between California and Florida was so small that the two are essentially tied, given the survey’s margin of error. Many sources describe Florida as the top choice for that reason.
Florida appeals to many of the same people who were drawn to Texas. It has no state income tax, warm weather, and a large retiree population. Many older Texans move there to be near beaches and family.
Florida also has a strong job market in some regions. Younger families move for work in health care, construction, and tourism. It remains one of the fastest-growing states in the country.
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Texas’s neighbor to the north, was the third most popular destination. About 28,100 people moved there from Texas in 2024. For many families, it offers a lower cost of living while staying close to friends and relatives in Texas.
Housing in Oklahoma is often cheaper than in fast-growing Texas cities. Some people move just across the border and still commute to jobs in North Texas. Others are retirees who want a quieter life.
Oklahoma’s culture and climate feel familiar to many Texans. The move can feel less like leaving home than a big cross-country relocation. It is a practical choice for many households.
4. Colorado
Colorado drew about 27,600 people from Texas in 2024. The mountains, cooler summers, and outdoor lifestyle are a big draw. Many Texans have long vacationed in Colorado and eventually decided to stay.
Denver, Colorado Springs, and smaller mountain towns have attracted Texans looking for a change of scenery. Some are young professionals, while others are retirees. The state’s job market in technology and aerospace also attracts workers.
Colorado is not cheap, especially in popular mountain areas. But for many Texans, escaping the summer heat is worth the cost. The appeal of the Rockies is hard to beat.
5. Georgia
Georgia rounded out the top five, with about 21,000 people moving there from Texas in 2024. Atlanta’s booming job market is a major draw. The metro area has grown rapidly in recent years.
Georgia offers a mix of city life, small towns, and lower housing costs than many coastal states. It has a strong presence in logistics, film production, and health care. Many families find opportunities there.
Other Popular Destinations
Beyond the top five, the Census figures show Texans spreading across the country. Louisiana drew about 19,900, Illinois about 18,200, North Carolina about 16,500, and New York and Washington about 16,300 and 16,200. Virginia and New Mexico were also popular choices.
Many of these moves are tied to jobs, family, or military assignments. Louisiana and New Mexico are close neighbors with deep cultural ties to Texas. North Carolina has become a magnet for movers from across the country.
Why Texans Say They Are Leaving
Census data does not record why people move, but surveys and news reports point to several common reasons. Rising home prices and property taxes in major Texas cities have squeezed many families. Some homeowners say their tax bills have climbed faster than their incomes.
Extreme summer heat is another frequent complaint, along with worries about the power grid after the 2021 winter storm. Others mention traffic, long commutes, and the rapid pace of growth around Dallas, Houston, and Austin. For some, politics and quality of life play a role as well.
Many people also move for very personal reasons. They want to be near grandchildren, care for aging parents, or return to the places where they grew up. Those decisions often outweigh any cost-of-living calculation.
Texas Still Tops the Moving Charts
Despite all the departures, Texas continues to attract newcomers. U-Haul’s annual Growth Index named Texas the No. 1 growth state for 2025, based on one-way truck and container rentals. Arrivals made up 50.7 percent of all one-way U-Haul traffic in and out of the state, while departures made up 49.3 percent. It was the seventh time in 10 years that Texas ranked first.
U-Haul notes that its index tracks rentals, not total population, so it is only one measure. But it matches the broader picture. Texas is gaining more people than it loses, even as many residents head elsewhere.
What It Means for Families
For families thinking about leaving Texas, it helps to compare housing costs, taxes, insurance, and climate carefully before deciding. A cheaper house can come with higher income taxes, and a cooler climate can mean higher heating bills. Many people use practical money-saving tips to budget for a move.
It also helps to talk with people who have already made the move. Many retirees say they wish they had planned more carefully, a theme that shows up often in lists of retirement regrets. Have you or someone you know left Texas recently, and which state did they choose?
