California’s big cities are slowly bouncing back, ... 6:12 p.m. May 4, 2025 An earlier version of this article said Anaheim was among the state’s three major cities to lose people in 2023.

A new WalletHub study looked at data from 182 cities across the United States to find the least stressed. Here is where California cities ranked.

The state's major cities lost people between 2020 and 2022, especially in Northern California. But exurban boomtowns, including some Southern California areas, saw gains.

The 14 California metros that were ranked had an average No. 115 ranking out of 150 — that’s in the bottom quarter.

Of the top 20 cities for move-outs, California accounts for seven. ... Rising living costs, particularly housing prices and high taxes, are major factors driving people away from the state.