"For the first time since 1998, the people who relocated from California to other states outnumbered those who migrated in from other states, according to a report released by the state's Department of Finance on Thursday."
"Still, the state population grew to 37,004,661 by July 1, an increase of 1.4 percent or nearly 500,000 people, according to the report."
"Howard Roth, chief economist with the department, said California's housing costs discourage people from other states from moving here."
"'The outflow hasn't changed much, but fewer people are coming here,' Roth said. 'Houses were already unaffordable, but they've become more so in the last two years. It's discouraging people from taking job offers in California.'"
According to DataQuick, the median price of a house in California was $452,000 in January. In the Bay Area, the median price was $607,000.
"Four counties -- Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego -- accounted for about half of the state's growth. In Los Angeles and San Diego, growth was due primarily to natural increase, while Riverside and San Bernardino experienced increases in new residents."
