Austin, TX — Texas continues to cement its status as one of the nation’s top migration destinations, with more than 265,000 people moving to the state from across the U.S. in the past year. According to new data, the influx is largely driven by job opportunities, affordable housing, and lower taxes that continue to attract Americans seeking a better quality of life.
California Leads the Pack of Newcomers
A new Texas Migration Report analyzed more than 18 million moves between June 2024 and May 2025, offering one of the clearest pictures yet of current migration trends. The findings show that Californians made up 14% of out-of-state arrivals, followed by residents from Florida and Colorado.
“In the past year, over 265,000 people have moved to Texas from out of state,” the report stated. “Most moved for a new job, better housing, or in search of new opportunities.”
According to Express News, this migration equates to roughly 60 new people per day relocating to Texas.
Where People Are Moving — and Leaving
Dallas, Austin, and Houston remain the top destinations for incoming residents, with San Antonio ranking fourth. Nearly one-third of newcomers — about 519,000 people — moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington area last year.
Even with its strong pull, the region also saw over 85,000 departures, illustrating Texas’ high mobility and internal movement patterns.
The report found that more than 1.6 million adults moved to or within Texas last year. Of those, 84% were intrastate moves, meaning most movers were already Texans relocating to new cities.
“Even fellow Texans chose to move north to Dallas, with Houston, Austin, and San Antonio residents making up a substantial number of movers,” the report said.
Why Texans Stay — and Why Some Leave
When Texans do leave the state, they tend to head for Florida, California, and Colorado — the same states many newcomers are leaving behind. These destinations appeal for their similar climates, strong job markets, and family connections.
Migration patterns also mirror economic factors such as corporate relocations. Companies like Tesla, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise have moved operations to Texas in recent years, helping boost job creation and attracting workers from high-cost states.
“Texas’ migration momentum shows no signs of slowing, though its growth story may evolve,” the report added.
Who’s Moving to Texas
The majority of newcomers belong to Generation X and millennials, accounting for nearly three out of every four movers. Analysts say this reflects both career advancement opportunities and family ties within the state.
Middle and upper-middle-class households make up the largest share of migrants, a trend attributed to the state’s lower taxes, robust job market, and affordable cost of living.
The report also highlights how Texas’ appeal extends beyond affordability — it’s a magnet for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and families seeking more space and stability.
The Bigger Picture
Experts say Texas’ continued growth underscores the state’s economic resilience and appeal as a relocation hub. However, the surge in population also presents challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, and infrastructure strain in fast-growing metros like Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth.
State officials and urban planners are now examining ways to balance rapid population growth with sustainable development.
What do you think about Texas’ booming migration trends — and how it’s reshaping the state’s economy and communities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
