California vs. Texas - a cost comparison

[Rick Reeder]

Great article from ABJ on why so many companies are fleeing California.  I love visiting CA - the weather, food scene, wine, etc etc, but I couldn't imagine moving there from a financial perspective.

“Every company with a major presence in California right now — it's not even an overstatement to say this — their board of directors are, as a matter of due diligence, exploring options as a way to be accountable to their shareholders,” one site selector said.

https://www.bizjournals.com/au...

This is one of the big reasons Austin has been so hot for so long.  There are many others - most folks relocating to Austin come from other Texas cities... many of them, I'm sure, come for the jobs brought by these Cali ex-pats.  If you're in California, what would make you relocate or stay?

[Moriel Levy]

@Rick Reeder personally I used to live in Houston and my W2 employer offered me a role in Santa Barbara, CA. Turned it down to take a role in Midland, TX instead. I'm sure many people would call that strange, but it's choosing cost and tax benefits over California "lifestyle." But how much of that can you buy on the same salary when the housing is double the cost and there's state income tax? Ultimately now I think it will benefit me because much easier REI opportunities in the areas around West Texas than in CA.

I do miss the dolphins swimming next to the work boat in CA, but I'd never seen a roadrunner until I moved to Midland so I guess that's cool too.