https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_7b56a332-e5fb-11ed-9c8c-4f2990ca4a6f.html
“The problem for California, a state with high taxes on the wealthy and generous benefits for those with low incomes, is that the people moving from California to Texas are significantly different than those moving in the reverse direction. The IRS data show that California taxpayers looking to make a home in Dallas or Houston earn an average taxable income of $177,555. Texans who moved to San Diego or Fresno in 2020 reported only $75,393 on average.”
It’s a good point that those fleeing the high tax states are usually upper middle income earners. TX, Fl and other refuge states are getting people who have money to spend, are productive citizens, aren’t involved in crime/drugs, and aren’t going to be a burden on the welfare system. I moved from MS to FL several years ago in part because of the state income tax. MS isn’t anywhere like CA or NY, but it’s still got a state income tax that was taking too much of my money. Now I spend my money in Florida instead of MS. Tax revenues are just a small part of the downside to losing high earners. CA and NY are steadily trending towards becoming states with a few rich people and a whole bunch of welfare bums.