A new ConsumerAffairs report ranks California as the nation’s third-worst state to move to in 2026, citing housing costs, affordability challenges, safety concerns and a higher-than-average unemployment rate.
California is one of the worst states to move to in 2026, according to the latest ConsumerAffairs ranking, with high housing costs, affordability challenges and safety concerns pushing the state near the bottom of the list.
The ConsumerAffairs guide to “the best states to move to in 2026” ranked California as the third-worst state in the nation for people looking to relocate, behind only New Mexico and Louisiana. The state received low marks for affordability, safety and overall quality of life.
The consumer-opinion publication said it created the rankings by analyzing data on affordability, safety, economic strength, healthcare, education, and quality of life. California ranked as the third-worst state to move to for the second consecutive year after being named the worst state to move to in the U.S. in 2024.
California’s affordability crisis has contributed to a broader shift in domestic migration patterns, making the state less attractive to people moving from other parts of the country. Although California remains one of the largest economies in the U.S. and continues to grow through births and international migration, high housing costs and rising everyday expenses have made lower-cost states more appealing for many potential movers.
The trend also affects Latino households, who make up nearly 40% of California’s population. While California remains home to the largest Latino population in the nation, rising housing costs and the increasing cost of living have made the state a less attractive destination for some Latino families relocating from other parts of the country. Like many other Californians, some Latino residents looking for more affordable options have considered states such as Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Florida, where housing and everyday expenses are generally lower.
The 10 worst states to move to in 2026 are all Southern or Western states, according to the report. ConsumerAffairs said these states generally performed poorly in safety, quality of life, education and healthcare. Mississippi was the exception, ranking as the 12th safest state despite appearing on the list of the worst states to move to.
“Although California and Oregon rank higher in education and healthcare, their ongoing cost-of-living crises were evident in their affordability rankings, where they placed 50th and 44th, respectively,” the ConsumerAffairs report said.
California was also ranked as the second-most dangerous state in the country, according to the report. The state averages 4.9 violent crimes and 20.78 property crimes per 1,000 residents, compared with national averages of 3.6 violent crimes and 17.6 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
The report also cited California’s unemployment rate, which remains higher than the national average of 4.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also named California the least affordable state in the country.
“Typical housing costs account for 21.1% of the median income for CA residents, exceeding the national average of 17.6%,” the report said. “Living in California costs about 10.7% more than the national average — meaning residents pay more for everyday goods and services than most Americans.”
While California continues to attract residents through international migration and its large established communities, its high cost of living has made the state a less competitive destination for Americans looking to move from other states.
