Celebrity Moves: Why Stars Are Leaving California

California is the state with the highest number of people moving out of the U. S. , with roughly 229, 000 residents leaving from July 2024 to July 2025, according to the most recent Census figures. The next state on the list is New York with about 138, 000 people heading elsewhere. The trend has been steep for years; between 2022 and 2023, nearly 700, 000 Californians chose to relocate. Rising wildfire risks and a widening affordability gap are driving this exodus, as many find it hard to keep up with the cost of living. Even some of the wealthiest individuals are abandoning California. A proposed tax increase prompted several billionaires to move out, and a handful of celebrities have followed suit. Actor Matthew McConaughey left Los Angeles in 2012 for family reasons but eventually returned, while Amanda Seyfried abandoned Hollywood entirely to live on a farm in upstate New York.Other movers have taken different routes: Florida, Texas, and New York are popular domestic choices, while a few have gone abroad. Those who stayed in California cited high taxes, sky‑high home prices, and a challenging social climate as key reasons for leaving. Some stars remain quiet about their new homes, saying they simply want a fresh start. Others have openly criticized the relentless pace and pressure of Hollywood as a factor in their decision to leave. Los Angeles, in particular, is seeing a wave of wealthy residents move on to places where their money stretches further. One example is Gus Lira, a managing partner of a private jet charter firm who owned a Malibu condo. He said that California’s tax burden was the main reason for his relocation to Nevada, noting that “you can’t get ahead when you get $100 and they take $60. ” The list of 28 celebrities who have moved away from California is compiled alphabetically, with each entry noting the new location and the motive behind their move. The compilation shows a clear pattern: taxes, cost of living, and lifestyle preferences are the most common drivers.