Research published by HireAHelper has found that California is experiencing an exodus of college-educated residents, with four of the six top metros graduates were most likely to leave being in the state. The study highlighted housing, living costs, and job prospects as key factors behind this trend. Miranda Marquit, a consumer advocate for HireAHelper, mentioned that recent big tech layoffs in California may be making the state less attractive to job-seekers.
Despite the exodus from California, states like Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Washington have become popular destinations for college-educated Americans. Florida, in particular, has a lower cost of living and good job prospects in cities where millennials and Gen Z-ers are moving. Nevada has seen its labor force reach an all-time high, while Wisconsin is projected to add thousands of jobs to its economy, with the biggest gains in computer and mathematical occupations. The lower cost of living in these states compared to California and New York makes them more attractive options for many individuals.
California cities like Oxnard, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have seen significant net losses in college-educated residents. The average rent in Florida is much lower than in California, with average house prices also being more affordable. HireAHelper’s research, which drew on 2023 U.S. Census data, focused on tracking the “brain drain” effect across the country. Brain drain refers to the phenomenon where highly educated individuals reside in a state other than their birth state between the ages of 31 and 40.
The affordability of living in states like Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Washington compared to California seems to be a driving factor behind the exodus of college-educated individuals from the Golden State. With lower living costs and promising job prospects in these states, many graduates are choosing to relocate in search of better opportunities. The impact of this trend on California’s economy and future workforce remains to be seen, as the state continues to grapple with challenges related to housing affordability and job stability. Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground, including the ongoing shift in population demographics among college-educated Americans.
