LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – UNLV research shows a decline from the pandemic surge of Californians moving to Nevada.
FOX5 told you how UNLV researchers have been tracking migration trends for years, using the number of driver’s license surrenders as a metric to measure relocations.
From 2020 to 2021, record numbers of people moved from California to Nevada and Las Vegas. From 2022 to 2023, researchers noticed a decline and a further drop last year.
Californians moving to Clark County(UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research)
Professor Stephen Miller tells FOX5 that the trend is mainly tied to interest rates. Though housing is far more affordable in Las Vegas than Los Angeles, many people have either reconsidered their move or are holding off until interest rates drop once again.
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“A lot of people have a low mortgage interest rate loan. So their monthly payment is pretty low. They couldn’t match that in the current market,” Miller said.
Researchers also found that fewer “work from home” opportunities limit the options for relocation. Cities such as Austin have also noticed a considerable decline.
Moving company Muscle Movers has first-hand experience with the rise and fall of residents relocating from California.
Californians moving to Nevada(UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research)
“As soon as the lockdown hit, people started bailing out of California left and right. We saw a huge boom during the lockdown for about two years and people couldn’t get out of there fast enough,” said Jeff Stelter, manager of business development. “We saw a big drop recently. This last winter was worse than the crash of 2006, 2007. It’s gotten a lot better now recently,” he said, noting that movers nationwide experienced a similar trend due to mortgage rates.
UNLV researchers also note that people are bypassing a Nevada move for other states—Texas in particular.
Muscle Movers also sees more Californians and Nevadans moving to southern states with relatively affordable real estate prices.
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“Most of the people that we move out of California are moving to Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Carolinas and Georgia. Those states above any others are where all the Californians are moving to,” Stelter said.
How many Nevadans are moving to Texas? UNLV researchers are still working to track those numbers through Census data.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet and Yosemite National Park, above the Valley floor, from late tonight until Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy snow is forecast.
The snow levels will initially start out between 6,000 to 7,000 feet tonight, before lowering to 5,500 to 6,500 feet on Tuesday, and then down to 4,500 to 5,500 feet on Wednesday.
The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday afternoon and evening.
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Minor accumulations of up to two inches is possible down to 4500 feet. The total snow accumulations above the 7,000 foot elevation, will range from three inches to as much as two feet.
Southwest winds could gust as high as fifty to seventy-five mph along the highest peaks. Such strong winds could cause tree damage.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Persons should delay all travel if possible. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.
Persons in the Watch Zone are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
