Where Are Ventura County Residents Moving? What IRS Data Shows
Updated November 2026
Where are Ventura County residents moving, and what does it mean for Simi Valley homeowners? In the latest IRS migration data, comparing tax returns filed in 2022 and 2023, about 14,300 people moved from Ventura County to another state and about 14,100 moved elsewhere in California. Texas, Arizona and Nevada led the out-of-state list, and the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas were the top counties outside California. Los Angeles County was the largest single destination overall. The IRS reports this by county, so it covers all of Ventura County, including Simi Valley.
By Steve Hise and Tricia Garcia, Real Estate Toolbox at eXp Realty, Simi Valley (DRE #01702055 / #02032007). We went through the IRS county files line by line. Here's what they show, what they can't show, and what to plan if you're thinking about leaving.
Free guide: Leaving California, the Seller’s Game Plan. The tax questions to answer first, a worksheet for your walk-away number, three ways to time your sale with your move, and a 90-day checklist.
Where the numbers come from
The IRS Statistics of Income division builds its migration data from year-to-year address changes on individual tax returns. It matches returns filed in one calendar year to returns filed the next, then counts who changed counties. The latest release compares returns filed in 2022 with returns filed in 2023, so it's a few years behind today.
A few things to keep in mind as you read:
- "People" is an estimate. The IRS counts personal exemptions claimed on returns, which it says approximates the number of individuals.
- Not everyone is in it. Many people aren't required to file, so the data doesn't cover the full population.
- The address is a mailing address. It may not be where someone actually lives.
- Small flows are hidden. A county-to-county flow needs at least 20 returns to be shown. Smaller ones go into "other flows," so the state figures below are the sum of the counties the IRS lists, and real totals are higher.
The big picture: about half stayed in California
In the 2022-23 data, about 28,400 people left Ventura County for somewhere else in the U.S. They split almost evenly: 14,292 went to another state and 14,120 went to another California county.
For scale, the same file counts 678,600 people on returns that stayed in the county. Someone who moved within Ventura County, say from Simi Valley to Camarillo, counts as staying.
Top destination states
| State | People who moved from Ventura County (2022-23) |
|---|---|
| Texas | at least 1,323 |
| Arizona | at least 1,300 |
| Nevada | at least 841 |
| Washington | at least 731 |
| Colorado | at least 481 |
| Idaho | at least 406 |
| Oregon | at least 400 |
| Tennessee | at least 391 |
| Utah | at least 371 |
| Florida | at least 311 |
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, county-to-county outflow file, 2022-2023. Each figure sums the counties the IRS lists for that state.
The year before, in the 2021-22 file, the leaders were Texas (at least 2,046), Arizona (1,628), Nevada (1,007), Washington (802) and Tennessee (730). Total out-of-state moves were about 17,450, compared with about 14,300 in the newer file. The IRS updated its matching method and its privacy rules for 2022-23, and the method change added about 5% more returns overall, so treat the two years as a general direction rather than an exact comparison.
Top destination counties
Inside California (2022-23):
- Los Angeles County: 6,332
- San Diego County: 1,060
- Kern County (includes Bakersfield): 1,043
- Santa Barbara County: 953
- Orange County: 835
- Riverside County: 646
- San Bernardino County: 468
Outside California (2022-23):
- Maricopa County, Arizona (Phoenix area): 773
- Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas area): 701
- King County, Washington (Seattle area): 221
- Ada County, Idaho (Boise area): 215
- Harris County, Texas (Houston area): 200
- Bexar County, Texas (San Antonio area): 162
People move in, too
Outflow is only half of it. The IRS inflow file for the same period shows about 24,600 people moving into Ventura County from elsewhere in the U.S.:
| 2022-23 IRS data | Moved out | Moved in |
|---|---|---|
| Other states | 14,292 | 7,248 |
| Other California counties | 14,120 | 17,322 |
| Los Angeles County alone | 6,332 | 10,470 |
So Ventura County lost about twice as many people to other states as it gained from them, but it gained more from the rest of California than it lost, largely from Los Angeles County. If you're one of the people coming this way, read our guide to moving from the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley.
These IRS figures cover a different period and method than the state's population estimates, so don't mix them. For the Department of Finance and Census numbers, see leaving California from Ventura County.
What this means if you're thinking about leaving
Phoenix and Las Vegas are the two most common moves outside California, and San Diego and Kern County come right after LA inside the state. We've written a page for each of the most common moves from Simi Valley:
- Out of state: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Boise, Nashville, Portland and Florida
- In California: San Diego and Bakersfield
Wherever you're headed, plan the California side first:
- Know your walk-away number. Start with a realistic value, then subtract your payoff and selling costs. Our Leaving California calculator walks you through it.
- Check the tax on your gain. The Franchise Tax Board says you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain on your home, or up to $500,000 for married or RDP couples filing jointly, if you meet the 2-out-of-5-year ownership and use requirements. Above that, talk with a CPA.
- Ask about withholding. Escrow may have to hold back money for the state unless an exemption applies. See our Form 593 guide.
- Time the two moves. Compare your options in sell first or buy first when you're moving out of state.
Staying in California changes the property tax question. The Board of Equalization's Prop 19 page says an eligible homeowner can transfer a base year value to a replacement home anywhere in California, generally within two years. Eligibility rules apply, and it doesn't carry to another state. Our Prop 19 guide covers who qualifies. For the full picture, read our guide to leaving California and selling your Simi Valley home.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most people from Ventura County move?
About half of those who left stayed in California, and Los Angeles County was the largest single destination, with 6,332 people in the 2022-23 IRS data. Out of state, Texas, Arizona and Nevada led, and the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas were the top counties.
How many people leave Ventura County for other states?
About 14,300 people in the 2022-23 IRS data, compared with about 17,450 in the 2021-22 file. The IRS updated its matching method for 2022-23, so treat the comparison as a general direction.
Do more people leave Ventura County than move in?
In the 2022-23 IRS data, yes. About 28,400 people moved out to other U.S. locations and about 24,600 moved in. The county lost more to other states than it gained from them, but gained more from other California counties than it lost.
Is this data about Simi Valley specifically?
No. The IRS publishes it by county, so it covers all of Ventura County. A move from Simi Valley to Camarillo wouldn't show up as a move at all.
Where does the data come from?
IRS Statistics of Income county-to-county migration files, built from address changes on individual tax returns filed in consecutive years. The latest release compares returns filed in 2022 and 2023.
Thinking about joining them? Let's plan it together
We have about 20 years of combined experience and have helped hundreds of families sell and move. We'll give you a real value for your home, your walk-away number and a plan to time both moves. We plan both moves together so you're not stuck in between. Start here to schedule a call, call or text 805-424-6226, or see what your Simi Valley home is worth.
Sources
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. population migration data (viewed November 4, 2026).
- IRS, Migration data 2022-2023: county-to-county outflow and inflow files (viewed November 4, 2026).
- IRS, Migration data 2021-2022: county-to-county outflow file (downloaded November 1, 2026).
- IRS, 2022-2023 Migration Data Users Guide (viewed November 4, 2026).
- Franchise Tax Board, Income from the sale of your home (viewed November 4, 2026).
- California State Board of Equalization, Proposition 19 (viewed November 4, 2026).
Steve Hise and Tricia Garcia, Real Estate Toolbox at eXp Realty, 1720 E Los Angeles Ave, Suite F, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Steve Hise CA DRE #01702055 | Tricia Garcia CA DRE #02032007
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Migration figures are IRS estimates for the periods shown. Tax rules depend on your dates and situation, so talk with a CPA before you set your sale date.
