We're excited to continue the conversation sparked by CPL's "Priced Out" report. Join us at the UC Student and Policy Center this Thursday for a lunchtime briefing + moderated discussion on the implications for California: www.eventbrite.com/e/priced-out...
Poster shows event information for a lunchtime panel on April 9th, focused on CPL's new "Priced Out" report on affordability and mobility in California: Join us in Sacramento on April 9th for new insights on affordability and migration, followed by a panel discussion on the implications for California policy. Speakers include: Lindsey Holden, POLITICO (Moderator) Chas Alamo, California Legislative Analyst Office Teri Olle, Economic Security California Action Evan White, California Policy Lab The event will be at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento, CA, on April 9th, from 12 to 1pm.
Did you read the new "Priced Out" report? Want to learn more? We're hosting a lunchtime panel on Thursday, April 9th to share insights + discuss the implications for California policy. Registration: www.eventbrite.com/e/1985473727...
Who’s leaving California—and what happens next?
Join @capolicylab.bsky.social on April 9 for “Priced Out”—new data tracking where people go + what it means for their financial outcomes.
📅 April 9 | 🕛 12 PM
Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/priced-out...
🚨 New research 🚨 on who is leaving CA, where they go, and their financial paths.
-Exiters seek affordability: ⬇️ $670 hsg costs
-Exiter homeownership ⬆️ 48% after 7 yrs
-Exiters increasingly from affluent areas, but financially weaker than their neighbors
-Pandemic trends now subsided
"Through this innovative approach, the report presents a detailed look at the economic dynamics that many Californians feel every day and that are driving some to pull up stakes and leave for a new state." news.berkeley.edu/2026/03/31/h...
If you’re in Sacramento on April 9th, come to our 12-1pm lunch panel to hear new insights on this research and what it means for California policy. eventbrite.com/e/priced-out... (9/9) END
Together, these findings offer a clearer picture of how affordability is shaping where Californians live — and what happens after they move. Full report: capolicylab.org/priced-out-r... (8/9)
A quarterly time-series line graph from 2016 through 2025 showing move volume. Exits (dark blue) are higher than entrances (orange) in every quarter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, exits spiked and entrances dipped, leading to a significant increase in quarterly net migration loss (shown in a bottom bar chart), peaking at a loss of 100,000 people in early 2021. Post-pandemic, the gap has narrowed but remains negative at approximately 40,000 net exits per quarter.
Another key trend: fewer people are moving into California. Lower arrivals — not just more departures —are driving recent population changes. (7/9)
An infographic highlighting migration trends between California and five specific states. Wyoming (Pandemic magnet): Experienced a huge pandemic surge, with net inflow of Californians increasing 10x (from 4 to 39 per 10k). In-migration has since cooled but remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Nevada (Top trade partner): Historically the most popular destination and source for California moves per capita. Idaho (Most one-sided outflow): Has the biggest "mover imbalance": for every person who moves from Idaho to California, more than two Californians move to Idaho. Tennessee (On the rise): Popularity is growing, with inflows increasing from 20 per 10k (pre-pandemic) to 32 per 10k since then. It sent ~14 per 10k to California during the past decade. Oregon (Losing luster): Experienced the largest drop in cumulative exits from California since 2019.
Where are people going? Nearby states stand out. On a per-capita basis, Nevada is the largest net recipient, followed by Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona. (6/9)
Table shows 3 columns related to finances for CA exiters vs. their CA neighbors, and what the difference is. Rows include credit score, amount of student debt owed, auto loan debt held, credit card utilization, homeownership rate, and age.
At the same time, people who leave are increasingly coming from higher-income neighborhoods — but tend to be more financially stretched than their neighbors. (5/9)
A line graph showing the percentage-point change in homeownership over seven years for three groups. All groups show an upward trend, but "Move from CA" has the steepest increase, rising 11 percentage points. "Move within CA" increased about 7 percentage points and "Move to CA” increased by about 6 percentage points. Notably, people moving to California experienced a 2 percentage point decrease in homeownership rates in the first two years after their move.
Over time, those who leave are more likely to become homeowners than similar Californians who remain in the state. (4/9)
A grouped bar chart comparing average neighborhood monthly housing costs "Before moving" and "After moving" for three groups: people who moved out of California, moved within California, and moved to California. Those moving out of California saw a significant decrease in neighborhood housing costs (from $2,376 down to $1,705), while those moving into California saw a large increase (from $1,754 up to $2,418). Costs remained nearly identical for those moving within the state.
We find that many Californians who leave relocate to substantially more affordable communities — often with much lower housing costs. (3/9 )
Illustration of a map of California and the US, showing people packing a moving van, a recent college grad walking out of CA, two couples (middle aged and seniors) walking with suitcases in the Midwest, and a stack of overdue bills, a calculator, and some cash, sitting on the outline of California
Using anonymized credit bureau data, we follow individuals before and after they move — and compare them to similar Californians who stay. This gives a detailed look at how affordability shapes migration and financial outcomes. (2/9)
NEWS: We’re releasing new research today on who is leaving California, where they go, and what happens to their finances after they move. capolicylab.org/priced-out-r... 🧵(1/9)
💡New research: Innovation can bring growth, progress, and profit. But it also exposes workers + companies to risk. Unemployment Insurance can mitigate that risk, but it was previously unknown how often inventors claim it.
Our new report answers that question:
capolicylab.org/inventors-an...
Infograph shows a headshot of Alissa Skog, holding a sign that says "BIG GIVE" She is wearing a Goldman School of Public Policy shirt and has a California Policy Lab mug in front of her. Her quote reads: “My time at UC Berkeley shaped how I think about using research to improve public policy. At CPL, our research is helping inform policy decisions to improve California's criminal legal system.” -Alissa Skog, Researcher, California Policy Lab; UC Berkeley alumna (MPP, Goldman School of Public Policy)"
UC Berkeley is coming together today to support #CalBigGive. If you’re participating, consider supporting the California Policy Lab: capolicylab.org/donate/ Our team includes many UC Berkeley alumni — including Alissa Skog, who shares why the California Policy Lab’s work matters to her.
Poster shows Justin Rausa holding a "BIG GIVE" star, wearing a California Policy Lab t-shirt, standing in front of the California State Capitol. His quote reads: “I share CPL’s rigorous research with policymakers in the State Capitol, strengthening informed decision making about programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on.” -Justin Rausa, Policy Director, California Policy Lab; UC Berkeley alum (MPH, School of Public Health)
UC Berkeley alumni and friends are coming together to support #CalBigGive. If you’re participating, consider supporting the California Policy Lab: capolicylab.org/donate/ Our team includes many UC Berkeley alumni — like Justin Rausa, who shares why the California Policy Lab’s work matters to him.
NEWS: The California Credit Dashboard was updated with data through Q4, 2025 today. The updated data show diverging trends for Californians, with a few getting ahead (esp. in the Bay Area), but many also falling behind on their bills: capolicylab.org/news/califor...
We're proud to see that LA County's Homelessness Prevention Unit, which uses our predictive model, is cited as a model homelessness prevention strategy in this NYT OpEd:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/o...
Promotional flyer for the “Meeting the Moment” webinar series presented by The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation. The event is titled “Artificial Intelligence and Homelessness” and takes place Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. EDT. The design features gold and teal colors with a large “MM” logo on the left. On the right are headshots and names of speakers: Dr. Matthew Hauenstein (Assistant Research Professor, Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, Notre Dame University); Dana Vanderford (Associate Director, Homelessness Prevention, LA County Department of Homeless Services and Housing); Janey Rountree (Executive Director, California Policy Lab at UCLA); Abra Lyons-Warren (Director, “Housing Is”); moderated by Dr. Dan Wuori (Strategic Advisor, Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation).
How can AI be used to better understand and respond to urgent social challenges like homelessness? Janey Rountree, executive director of California Policy Lab's UCLA site, is one of the panelists for this March 12th Webinar - registration is now open: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
First review for this Researcher role at the California Policy Lab is this Friday, Feb 27th -> capolicylab.org/careers/rese...
Photo of a person typing numbers on a calculator with bills underneath.
What do we know about Californians and financial health? CPL research and hosted research projects focus on a range of topics, including: student debt, Buy Now Pay Later loans, debt collection, tax credits, household mobility, SNAP's impact on finances, and more: capolicylab.org/topics/measu...
Screenshot says "Beyond the Bridge" Film screening + discussion. How can our community solve homelessness in a comprehensive way?
Tonight in #Sacramento from 5 - 8pm. Register here: www.addevent.com/event/zr392y...
"The riveting documentary showcases what the filmmakers learned as they traveled more than 40,000 miles around the country to learn how communities were successfully tackling homelessness."
California Policy Lab: We're hiring
Great job alert! @capolicylab.bsky.social is hiring a labor economics researcher for a remote or hybrid (LA) role.
Design and conduct policy-relevant research in partnership with state and local agencies in California.
Learn more and please share widely: capolicylab.org/careers/rese...
#Econsky
Sign says "WE'RE HIRING!" Researcher (Labor Economics) First review: Feb 27th
#HiringAlert: The California Policy Lab is hiring for a mid- or advanced-career Researcher, focused on labor economics. First review is Feb 27th. Hybrid in Los Angeles, or remote. Full posting: capolicylab.org/careers/rese...
Sign says "We're HIRING"
#HiringAlert: The California Policy Lab is hiring for a mid- or advanced-career Researcher, focused on labor economics. First review is Feb 27th. Hybrid in Los Angeles, or remote. Full posting: capolicylab.org/careers/rese... #EconJobs
CPL update: Meet 3 new CPL staff members + new research:
->racial disparities in police searches in CA
->Prop 36 update for December
->the LPIE exemption college students can use to qualify for #CalFresh
->housing vouchers in Sonoma County
->student loan repayment
capolicylab.org/newsletter/c...
We're thrilled to be selected as an AI at Work Awardee from @schmidtsciences.bsky.social. CPL’s research, led by @revisenretweet.bsky.social, will investigate whether existing job training programs can help workers pursue AI-specific training to help them adjust to changes in the job market.
"People who start work in a recession tend to earn less over the course of their careers, von Wachter’s research found, making for more divorces, smaller families, and worse health." Prof. Till von Wachter, faculty director of CPL's UCLA site interviewed -> www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...
In 2019, Sonoma County overhauled its system for awarding Housing Choice Vouchers and more than 12k people signed up for a new lottery. A new study (in Housing Policy Debate) focuses on the outcomes of that lottery and the people who were selected to receive a voucher capolicylab.org/mitigating-t...