The exodus from Los Angeles is driving up rent and housing prices in red-state cities

People from Los Angeles and California are driving up the cost of living in other red states after years of leaving the left-leaning state.

A new report by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday found that of the top 10 cities that people moved to from Los Angeles and California, all 10 saw median rents and home prices rise faster than in Los Angeles, even though overall prices were cheaper.

Cities on the list include Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Phoenix and Atlanta from the right-leaning states of Tennessee, Texas, Arizona and Georgia. However, other green cities such as Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas and Denver are also included in the data.

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According to a study by the Council for Social and Economic Research (C2ER), all 10 cities saw the largest cost of living increases between 2020 and 2025 compared to Los Angeles, with some cities seeing double the increase.

In his comments to the Los Angeles Times, Evan White, founder of the California Policy Lab, noted that “people will travel to less expensive places,” even though the affordability gap appears to be narrowing.

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“White’s research has shown that those who move from California are more likely to become homeowners in their new states. As homes in popular areas for those fleeing to California appreciate quickly, selling a home in California to relocate becomes less profitable,” the article reads.

Austin architect Chris Gannon told the Los Angeles Times that there are housing problems related to Californians moving in. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Data from Zillow was inconclusive, finding that only five of 10 cities saw average rent increases above Los Angeles’ 29%. Zillow also showed that only six of the 10 cities saw the median home price increase by more than 45% in Los Angeles, while home prices in Phoenix and Nashville increased by nearly 70%.

However, the report noted that all 10 cities were still considered more affordable than Los Angeles, some by a wide margin.

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Meanwhile, city planners, such as Austin architect Chris Gannon, hope to balance the rising number of immigrants from California with rising housing costs for state residents.

“If there are fewer Californians coming,” Gannon told the Los Angeles Times, “that’s probably better for the people here because that means less competition.”

The Los Angeles Times reported on the cost increases in other cities compared to Los Angeles as of 2020. (Stock)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Policy Lab for comment.

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California continues to see large numbers of people leave the state, with Los Angeles County losing more than 54,000 residents between 2024 and 2025 alone. With high rates and a looming wealth tax, the Golden State continues to see working-class residents and wealthy business owners leave affordable cities.