Nearly 1 in 4 Gen Z Adults Moved States in 2024 as California Lost the Most, Study Finds

Nearly one in four American adults in Generation Z moved to a different state in 2024, and California lost more of them than anywhere else, according to a new LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data that has fueled a lively national conversation about where young people are choosing to build their lives.

The study found that an estimated 10.7 million of the country’s 44.6 million Gen Z adults, those ages 18 to 27, crossed state lines that year. At 23.9%, that share far exceeded every other generation: 14% of millennials, 7.2% of Gen Xers and 5.2% of baby boomers moved between states.

California’s net loss

California posted a net loss of 58,109 Gen Z adults. About 128,718 young adults moved into the state, the second-highest inflow in the country, but 186,827 moved out, by far the most of any state. New Jersey (37,556) and Illinois (20,031) had the next-largest net losses.

Texas was the most common destination for young Californians, drawing an estimated 19,287. About 13,362 young Texans moved the other way, leaving Texas with a net gain of 5,925 from that exchange alone. Overall, Texas gained a net 10,720 Gen Z adults, the largest increase among the most populous states.

The surprising leaders

The biggest winner was not Texas but South Carolina, which added a net 22,843 Gen Z adults. Missouri, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, Arizona and Washington state each gained more than 10,000. Measured against population, the District of Columbia led by a wide margin, with net migration equal to 12.3% of its young adult population.

Why they move

Education is a major factor: 38.1% of Gen Z interstate movers were enrolled in college. Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, told FOX Business that affordability likely played a role as well, noting that states with the largest losses tend to be among the most expensive.

“Being flexible provides you options, and when money is tight… options are really, really important,” Schulz said, while cautioning that taxes, job prospects, support networks and the full cost of living should all weigh on any relocation decision.

The findings have sparked spirited debate online, with some Texans welcoming the newcomers and others questioning how an influx of young Californians may reshape the state’s politics and culture.