Comparing Texas And California, And Why Texas Wins Out

“Texafornia – A Glimpse into America’s Future” headlines The Economist’s special report last week comparing America’s two mega states, California and Texas. The British magazine looked at several areas where the two states compete, and for the most part California came out second best.

One fifth of all Americans call California or Texas home. California, with 40 million people is the fifth largest economy in the world, but Texas, with 29 million people is the world’s tenth. Their joint GDP is almost $5 trillion. But their trend lines are headed in almost exactly the opposite direction.

“Between 2007 and 2016, a net one million American residents, or 2.5 percent of the state’s population, left California for another state, and Texas was the most popular destination,” notes The Economist. “Most of those leaving California for Texas earn less than $50,000 a year and have only a high school education.” But these are the people who once made the California Dream, returning GIs who in the post-War world who found good blue collar jobs in California, and upward mobility for their children.