The California EXODUS to Minneapolis Is BIGGER Than Anyone Thought

Jason Huerkamp · Living in MinneapolisJuly 31, 20268:281.8K views

About this video

More Californians are moving to Minneapolis and the Twin Cities as housing costs push buyers out of California. This video breaks down why Minnesota is becoming more attractive, from affordable homes and strong jobs to lakes, parks, and quality of life.

We also look at some of the best Minneapolis suburbs for California buyers, including Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Plymouth.

Key takeaways

Why Californians are moving to Minnesota: the video cites a California median around $875,000, with only about 18% of residents able to afford it, and a shortage estimated at about 3 million homes.
A UC Berkeley study cited in the video found people who move out of expensive metros save about $672 a month and are 48% more likely to own a home after seven years.
California is the second-largest source state for moves to Minnesota, behind Wisconsin, according to census data compiled by USAFacts, and Minnesota had a net gain of about 8,300 residents from other states in 2025.
Minnesota has more than 44,000 miles of lake shoreline; Lake Minnetonka alone covers about 14,500 acres.
Suburbs many relocating buyers consider, with prices as stated in the video: Eden Prairie in the high $400,000s to mid-$500,000s, Minnetonka in the high $400,000s to low $500,000s, and Plymouth around $500,000.

Questions this video answers

Are Californians moving to Minnesota?

Yes. California is the second-largest source of people moving to Minnesota, behind Wisconsin, according to the census data cited in the video.

Where do people relocating to the Twin Cities buy?

Many look at west-metro suburbs like Eden Prairie, Minnetonka and Plymouth for parks, lakes and job access, with prices around $500,000 at the time of the video.

Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on July 31, 2026; check the current numbers in our market reports.