If you turn on the news or scroll through social media, it feels like everyone is talking about the exact same thing: moving out of Long Beach CA. The headlines love to paint a picture of a completely hollowed-out state, using dramatic buzzwords like the California exodus 2026 to grab clicks.

But as a real estate agent working on the ground every day here in Long Beach, I am having two entirely different conversations. One group of clients is asking, “Where should we move out of California?” while another is asking, “How can we find a way to stay?”

The truth about the market right now is much more nuanced than a mass departure. It is a story of shifting priorities.

Why People Are Leaving Long Beach

It is no secret that leaving Long Beach is a reality for many families, and the drivers behind these moves usually come down to a few major factors:

• California Cost of Living: The math is simply life-changing when you compare buying a home in Long Beach to regions in the Midwest or South.

• Taxes: High state income taxes make states like Texas, Florida, and Nevada incredibly attractive.

• Remote Work Freedom: The ability to keep a California-level salary while living in a more affordable state is still a massive catalyst for relocation.

Californians are consistently heading to familiar hotspots, including Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Boise, searching for more space and a lower cost of living.

The Hidden Risk of the California Exodus

However, there is a critical piece of the puzzle that the headlines completely ignore: the financial reality of trying to come back.

Leaving a premium coastal market like Long Beach real estate is easy, but trying to buy back into it three or five years later can be nearly impossible. Many people who relocate quickly begin to miss the unparalleled weather, the ocean, the diversity, and the unique community lifestyle that places like Long Beach offer.

Why People Are Still Moving In

While some are choosing to leave, a wave of buyers is replacing them. From 2020 to 2023, the state did see a population decline. But as we move through 2024, 2025, and now into 2026, the market has stabilized.

Homes in Long Beach are still selling, buyers are highly active, and out-of-state relocations are bringing fresh demand into our local market. People are still moving here for job opportunities, business growth, and the coastal lifestyle.

Ultimately, your real estate decisions should be based on a personalized strategy, not scary headlines.