A recent analysis of migration trends reveals a striking pattern among the nation’s most populous states, with far more Californians and Floridians packing up for Texas than the other way around.

Over a 12-month span from June 2024 to May 2025, more than 1.6 million adults moved to or within Texas, with 265,112 coming from out of state, averaging 726 new arrivals daily, as reported by the Washington Examiner.

The data, drawn from PGM’s database of 18 million tracked moves, shows California leading the charge at 14%, followed by Florida at 9%, and Colorado at 4.5%.

Uneven Flow Between Major States

Break down the numbers between the big three, and the tilt toward Texas sharpens. A staggering 37,253 Californians headed to Texas, while only 14,539 Texans moved west to California in the same period.

Similarly, 24,378 Floridians chose Texas as their new home, compared to just 15,650 Texans relocating to the Sunshine State. This one-way traffic hints at deeper reasons why Texas holds such appeal.

Even between California and Florida, the trend favors the latter, with 16,457 Californians moving east while only 11,356 Floridians went the opposite direction. These figures paint a picture of dissatisfaction with high-tax environments driving folks to freer pastures.

Demographics and Destinations in Focus

Who’s making the move to Texas? Gen X and Millennials dominate, comprising 75% of new residents, drawn by prospects of better jobs, lower costs, and an improved way of life.

“Gen X and Millennials made up 75% of new Texans, signaling a wave of professionals and families chasing opportunity, affordability, and a higher quality of life,” Hire A Helper noted. That quote captures the pragmatic hope fueling this migration, though one wonders if the reality will match the dream when infrastructure and services get stretched thin.

Geographically, North Texas reigns supreme as the top destination, with nearly 32% of newcomers settling in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. Business relocations and the launch of Texas’ new stock exchange likely play a role in this magnetic pull.

Taxes and Policies as Push Factors

Look at the states losing residents, and a pattern emerges. California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois, all under Democratic leadership, saw more people leave than arrive, burdened by some of the highest state income taxes in the nation.

Contrast that with Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, three of the top five destinations, where no state income tax exists. “While California certainly had people moving in [over the year analyzed], it saw an overall net decrease in residents, -128,470,” Hire A Helper pointed out, a statistic that screams policy failure louder than any campaign ad could.

People vote with their feet when tax burdens and progressive agendas stifle their ability to thrive. Texas, with its lighter regulatory touch, offers a stark alternative that clearly resonates.

Growth Hotspots and Future Implications

Within Texas, the majority of moves, 84%, were in-state, as residents shifted between metros for better housing and employment. Still, the influx from outside continues to reshape the state’s landscape.

Smaller North Texas cities like Sherman-Denison, Tyler, and Granbury are emerging as growth hotspots, ranking high in net gains. Meanwhile, major metros like Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands and Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos drew 21% and 13% of new residents, respectively.

Census data reinforces this surge, showing four Texas counties among the top ten nationally for both numeric and percentage population growth from July 2023 to 2024. Harris County led the pack, while California’s Los Angeles County reported losses, a telling sign of where Americans see their future lying.