California’s high taxes and progressive policies have long been a topic of debate. Now, we’re seeing their real-world impact as residents flee the state in droves, seeking refuge in neighboring Arizona and Nevada.
This migration is not just changing the demographic landscape of these states but also their political and economic makeup.
“People are moving to Arizona and Nevada primarily for the lower cost of living and plethora of job opportunities,” Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather told FOX Business.
This trend, while not new, has been supercharged by the pandemic, according to Redfin Senior Economist Elijah de la Campa.
The numbers paint a clear picture. In Arizona, home prices rose 1.9% in June 2024 compared to the previous year, with a median price of $451,000. Nevada saw an even steeper increase of 5.8%, with median home prices hitting $461,700.
While these figures might seem high, they pale in comparison to California’s staggering median home price of $856,700 – a 7.6% increase from the previous year.
But it’s not just about housing costs. California’s suffocating tax burden is driving residents to seek greener pastures. The average annual property tax in California is a whopping $5,347.48. Compare that to Nevada’s $1,369.60 or Arizona’s $2,519.82, and it’s easy to see why Californians are packing their bags.
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Ralph McLaughlin, senior economist at Realtor.com, explains the appeal: “Arizona and Nevada offer some fiscal advantages to relocating beyond just having less expensive housing.” These states not only provide a similar landscape and weather to California but do so at a fraction of the cost.
Job opportunities are another crucial factor. While California’s job growth limps along at 1.6%, Arizona and Nevada are racing ahead with growth rates of 2.3% and 3.3% respectively. It seems that as California’s woke policies drive out businesses, its neighbors are reaping the benefits.
However, this migration is not without its downsides for the receiving states. As former Californians flood in, they’re driving up housing prices in Arizona and Nevada. There’s also concern that these transplants might bring with them the very political ideologies that contributed to California’s current state of affairs.
The Golden State’s nightmare of skyrocketing taxes, rampant crime, and increasing homelessness are the direct result of progressive policies run amok.
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California’s loss is becoming Arizona and Nevada’s gain. But only time will tell if these swing states can maintain their allure without succumbing to the same policies that drove Californians away in the first place.
