28 celebrities who have left Los Angeles on where they moved and why they did it

California is the US state with the most people moving out, with an estimated 229,077 people leaving for other states from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, according to the latest Census data.

New York was second with 137,586 people leaving.

While California still leads the country in residents leaving, it was much more severe in previous years.

Between 2022 and 2023, nearly 700,000 chose to leave California.

The increased threat of wildfires, coupled with a growing affordability crisis, is prompting them to choose other places across the country.

Recently, even some of the richest people in the world decided they wanted out, as a proposed tax caused several prominent billionaires to abandon the state.

Several celebrities have also decided California is no longer the place for them.

Actor Matthew McConaughey left Los Angeles for a family situation in 2012 but later decided to stay, while Amanda Seyfried ditched the Hollywood scene, moving to a farm in upstate New York.

Some movers have chosen states like Florida, Texas, and New York, while others have chosen different countries entirely.

Former California residents told Business Insider that their reasons for leaving the state included high taxes, expensive home prices, and challenging social and political conditions.

Some celebrities remained tight-lipped when sharing details of their moves, simply saying they’re looking for a fresh start.

Other high-profile actors, however, admitted that the fast-paced, stressful scene in Hollywood can be another motivation.

Los Angeles, in particular, is experiencing an exodus of wealthier people in search of places where their money goes further.

Take Gus Lira, a managing partner at a private jet charter company, who had a condo in Malibu overlooking the ocean.

California taxes were wearing him down, so he decided to move to Nevada. “For me, really the main reason, and for many of the people that I know, is just taxes,” Lira told Business Insider in January. “You can’t get ahead when you get $100 and they take $60.” Business Insider compiled a list of 28 celebrities — some in celebrity couples — who left California for greener pastures, presented in alphabetical order by last name.

We tried to include both where they moved to and why they left LA.