California has been ranked as the **third-worst state** in the United States for people to move to in 2026, according to a new report from consumer data and opinion analysis firm **ConsumerAffairs**. The "2026 Best and Worst States to Move to in the U.S." study placed California at **48th out of 50 states**, trailing only New Mexico and Louisiana. This marks a continued decline for the state, which was ranked as the absolute worst (50th) in 2024 and has held the third-worst position for the past two consecutive years[1][3].
The report evaluated all 50 states based on six key indicators: **affordability**, **safety**, economic strength, healthcare, education, and quality of life. California received its lowest score in the **affordability** category, ranking **50th nationwide** due to extreme housing and living costs. The study noted that California residents spend an average of **21.1% of their household income** on typical housing costs, significantly higher than the national average of 17.6%[1]. Additionally, the state's overall price level is approximately **10.7% higher** than the national average, forcing residents to pay more for everyday goods and services[1].
Beyond financial burdens, California also faces severe challenges regarding **public safety**, ranking as the **second-most dangerous state** in the nation. The state recorded **4.9 violent crimes** and **20.78 property crimes** per 1,000 people, contributing to its low overall ranking[1]. While California scored relatively well in education and healthcare sectors, the combination of unaffordable living costs and high crime rates has solidified its position as a top state for residents to leave rather than move to[1][3]. For American readers unfamiliar with the local context, these factors reflect a growing trend of population outflow from the West Coast to more affordable regions in the Midwest and South[2][4].
