Great question, Greg! My answer is simply because it's the Land of Oz!

I do believe it's partly due to affordablity of home - that's a joke in many areas or CA. Affordability to who?  Also have heard that what it takes to build anything is ridiculously long and tedius.  Endre Barath, Jr. can help with that subject - well - actually the question itself.  We are seeing a lot of CA folks moving to Arizona as it's affordable in comparison to CA.

Average cost for a house in CA $600000. (includes the inland markets averaged with the high cost ones) To buy a $600000 house A family needs around $142000 income if there is a HOA bill of $320 plus taxes insurance MI and the payment. If you are buying in a coastal area make the numbers higher. How many people earn $142000 net?  To build a new house in many areas takes a year or two to get through the permit process.  A million people move away; but this doesn't open up cheap housing... 

is that a "net" population change?... is the question..

Greg I am here thanks to Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS  pulling me in on this question. The number one problem is that it can take 2 years to 3 years to get building approvals if all things go relatively well... if not then 3 years to never... this limits the developers who want to take on the challenge of building..... The second issue is the lack of Affordable homes in the Greater Los Angeles. Just to give you an example when a Tear down home is selling for $900,000 in the flight path of LAX that tells you something. ... The third issue is although there is outward migration there is a huge inward migration to boot... then the politically incorrect issues :illegal immigration inbound to CA as well as even homeless relocate to CA because of the climate and benefits that are offered to both groups....Endre

Despite the fact that a lot of people are leaving the state, California has actually seen a population increase of 186,807 residents in 2019. While this represents the slowest growth the state has had since 1900 it is easy to see that there is still a demand for affordable housing.

Since there is nothing to control costs, the market will determine the cost of housing. As long as demand is strong costs will rise.

Even though a million people move out, that does not mean that people are not moving in. Here's a link to an article on the subject. 

Nearly same amount of people move to California and out of state

Interesting question... maybe it's less a lack of house than a lack of affordable houses. Hopefully our compatriots from California can shed some light on this.

We have plenty of housing for those who move to our area.

Because now all those grown kids that stayed in their parents basements, sucking the financial life out of them, have to find a place to live. Mommy and daddy did not give them their forwarding address after they sold!

I live in cow country and we have  a roof for everyone....no one is on the streets.... 

Complicated issue and one that has faced the state for many years.  One reason of many: not easy to navigate through the building process.  Many hurdles.  More than a few hoops to jump.   At least that's my opinion.  

Not sure who moved and where but traffic did not get easier.....

Affordability for those who work and demand for public housing for those who don't!

Greg,

When we had our commercial practice, one had to jump through hoops, hire an expeditor to get anything done.  The same goes for residential.  Here in SB County, we have the Coastal Commission that can overule at its own discretion.  Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS makes a good point on the affordable issue.  In some parts of the state it still is, but very few want to live in those areas.  We are aware that a lot of Californias are moving to Scottsdale and on our last visit there less than a year ago are looked like Newport Bearch to us...I would guess the million that have moved out is also because of high state taxes... and they left behind their luxury abodes.  We have the highest state income tax also.  A

The Homeless. 

Affordable housing shortage to people who work but cannot afford....Then, there is the homeless issue. CA needs two-party rule for balance & solutions

Homeless moved in.

I don't think anyone can count in CA.

Home price is easily 3 to 4 times more than here so I think affordability is the issue there.

Because we're not good at math and it's an excuse for governor nusiance to enact more draconian policies that hurt those that are still here.  Saw a good article today that said "there is no housing crisis.  The outmigration is fixing it."

Nothing like businesses shutting down because of $15/hr minimum wages with eventually requiring $20/hr minimum.  Nothing like manufacturing jobs, a $70 million+/yr company relocating out to Waco (Merril)... where wages are $12/hr.  Nothing like mandatory benefits for companies w/more than 26 employees.

I'm still curious if Uber and Lyft will be able to survive in the new "gig economy... everyone's an employee" model.  It's starting to seriously hurt truckers (owner/operators) and writers.

I'm not familiar with any specifics, but I'd guess that the number of people moving out is less than the shortfall. Math.

OR the question should have the word "affordable" - then the answer is an economic one. Still math related.

That's it! Math.

Just one of the many things to ponder about the state of CA!

well my mom never had a problem finding a house there.  

Many people can not afford to own and have to rent. When they have money they want to buy. Also there is a strong demand for oversea investors to park their money. A family will buy a block of homes. Vegas esp. 

Would anyone else not want the weather and stellar appreciation rate?

Every desirable state has a housing crisis. ALL OF THEM.

California is just better at crying loudest, being the biggest crybaby in the union, always wanting their mamma to fix it.

Every time a new reg is passed to improve strength, durablilty, safety, effiecency and accessibility the PRICE goes up!

Every time elected leaders pass mandates without allocating funding property owners pay the bill. 

Every time quotas are applied, someone loses.

I hear employers say and the media repeat..."we can't find workers!"
The reality is they can not find workers for what they are wanting to pay.

Simply look at the middleclass American and you can understand why housing, affordable housing is a critical problem. Three other public issues are approaching the event horizon, while Nancy and company continute to play "kick the can.'

The good news is Tent Cities are legal. I want those images on incumbant websites.   Middle class is becoming HOMELESS.

sent from Dodgeball Penalty Box

Just because people leave doesn't mean no one is moving there.

There's nothing I understand about California except I have friends and family that live there.

How many moved into the state while those folks were leaving?

How many folks reproduced and ejected the youngins from the nest?

And how many rejected an old home and demanded a new one prompting builders to plant a few million new homes in the fields and woods around the edge of the cities?

I don't really believe that there is a housing shortage, just a shortage of affordable housing.

They are still growing slightly. Births and international immigrations have covered the million plus move outs

I had not seen any data on this till now.  A million people wow!   Still have a large amount of homeless.  If housing is as expensive as I have seen more may be moving.

My brother, who lives in Arizona, says that every other car in Phoenix has California tags.  CA is definitely bleeding people. 

But I cannot explain why you have a shortage.

Good question, is it because some fall in the ocean every year lol

That is a really good question!

Greg Cremia same or more number of people moving into California too.