Moving from California to Texas: The Complete 2026 Guide
Over 100,000 Californians relocated to Texas last year alone. Here's exactly what changes — and how to make the smartest move possible.
Why 100,000+ Californians Left Last Year
California → Texas is the #1 migration corridor in America. It's not a trend — it's a structural shift. The reasons are clear:
$0 State Income Tax
California's top rate is 13.3%. Texas? Zero. A household earning $200K saves $13K-$20K/year immediately.
Homes Cost 50% Less
California median: $750K+. Texas median: $334K. Same square footage, half the price, twice the yard.
Jobs Followed
Tesla, Oracle, HP, CBRE, Charles Schwab — corporate HQs moved to TX. The jobs are here now.
The Real Savings: California vs Texas
Let's break down a real scenario. Family of 4, household income $180K:
| Expense | California | Texas | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | $14,400 | $0 | +$14,400 |
| Mortgage (median home) | $4,200/mo | $2,100/mo | +$25,200 |
| Property Tax | $5,625 | $5,344 | +$281 |
| Home Insurance | $1,800 | $3,200 | -$1,400 |
| Groceries | $12,000 | $10,200 | +$1,800 |
| Childcare | $24,000 | $18,000 | +$6,000 |
| TOTAL | +$46,281/year |
$46,281/year
That's what a typical CA family saves by moving to Texas. Over 10 years? $462,810 back in your pocket.
Calculate Your Savings →Best Texas Cities for California Transplants
Where you land in Texas depends on what you're leaving California for:
Austin
$425KBest for: SF/LA tech workers
Tech hub, live music, food scene. Most 'California-like' city. Currently correcting — great buying opportunity.
Dallas-Fort Worth
$380KBest for: Corporate relocators, families
Corporate HQs, top schools (Frisco, Plano), massive job market. Suburbs are the real deal.
Houston
$320KBest for: Energy, healthcare, diversity
Most diverse city in US, energy capital, most affordable major TX metro. Space City.
San Antonio
$290KBest for: Military, affordability seekers
Military-friendly, culturally rich, most affordable of the big 4. Growing tech presence.
El Paso
$230KBest for: Budget-conscious, bilingual
Borderplex region, $230K medians, bilingual community, 300+ sunny days. The value play.
Housing Market: What Your CA Budget Gets in TX
The biggest shock for Californians? What your money actually buys. Texas has 2.9-3.5 months of inventory (seller's market), but prices are flat to +4% in 2026. Austin is correcting — prices are more negotiable than they've been in years.
| CA Budget | CA Gets You | TX Gets You |
|---|---|---|
| $500K | Studio/1BR condo | 3BR/2BA home with yard |
| $750K | Small 2BR in decent area | 4BR/3BA in top school district |
| $1M | Average 3BR home | 5BR/4BA estate on acreage |
| $1.5M | Nice 4BR in good area | Custom build, dream home |
Your 90-Day Relocation Timeline
Plan & Pre-Approve
Get mortgage pre-approved remotely • Research target cities • Connect with local TX agent • Start decluttering
House Hunt & Offer
Virtual tours of shortlisted homes • Visit TX for finals weekend • Make offer, negotiate • Home inspection & appraisal
Close & Move
Final walkthrough • Remote closing available • Coordinate movers • Transfer utilities • Update address, license, registration
Out-of-State Financing: Easier Than You Think
You don't need to be a Texas resident to buy a home there. Here's what most people don't know:
- Pre-approval works nationwide — get approved before you even visit
- 3% down conventional loans — you don't need 20%
- VA loans at 0% down — if you're a veteran, this is your best option
- USDA loans at 0% down — many TX suburbs qualify for rural development loans
- Remote closing — sign everything digitally, never leave California until move day
- Hablamos Español — bilingual service throughout the process