North Carolina
About 18,000 Californians moved to North Carolina in 2024, the number 11 destination out of California. North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026).
Home prices in North Carolina vs. LA
| City | Median sale price | $/sq ft | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical LA County zip | $904K | $588 | n/a |
| Raleigh | $424K | $231 | 32 |
| Charlotte | $443K | $249 | 46 |
Redfin Data Center. Cities: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026.
Taxes
North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Under current law the rate is scheduled to keep stepping down in later years. Laws can change, so treat future rates as a projection rather than a promise. See the North Carolina revenue department for current rules.
Moving out of California generally doesn't take the sale of a California home out of California's tax reach. Our guide to selling your LA home and moving out of state covers withholding at closing, the capital gains exclusion and the questions to bring to a CPA.
Common questions
How many people move from California to North Carolina?
About 18,428 people (plus or minus 4,002) moved from California to North Carolina in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, the number 11 destination for people leaving California.
Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). California's top marginal rate is 13.3%. Confirm current rates with the North Carolina revenue department and a CPA.
What do homes cost in North Carolina compared with LA?
In the cities we track, median sale prices ran from about $424K in Raleigh to about $443K in Charlotte (Redfin, May 2026), versus about $904K for a typical LA County zip code.
Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 state-to-state migration flows (people who lived in California one year earlier). Estimates have margins of error. Market figures: Redfin Data Center.