Moving to California, or moving out

Tax returns from 2005 show the net migration difference between California and all U.S. counties outside the state.

Migration from California

High: (200 to 11,375)

Low: (1 to 199)

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Migration to California

High: (114 to 1,217)

Low: (1 to 113)

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Following the money

In net terms, those leaving are wealthier than those arriving, based on tax returns filed in 2005. (In thousands of dollars)

*--* Money out of Money into Tax returns out Tax returns into Region California California of California California Midwest $1,637,329 $1,810,572 34,019 37,027 Northeast 1,668,232 2,169,639 28,221 36,223 South 4,141,298 2,698,385 83,946 61,314 West 6,474,155 2,755,642 128,092 67,797 Totals 13,921,014 9,434,238 274,278 202,361

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COMING TO CALIFORNIA

Counties with the highest net loss of taxpayers to California: 1,217

Cook County, Ill.: 795

Middlesex County, N.J.: 470

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LEAVING CALIFORNIA

Counties with the highest net gain of taxpayers from California:

Maricopa County, Ariz.: 11,375

Clark County, Nev.: 10,657

Washoe County, Nev.: 2,149

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Sources: California Department of Finance, Internal Revenue Service. Data analysis by Doug Smith and Sandra Poindexter