Talk of a California exodus has been a steady drumbeat for years. But the data tells a different story. People aren’t just staying; they’re putting down roots for longer than ever before. For a state supposedly hemorrhaging residents, California homeowners are holding onto their properties for a remarkably long time.
A recent study from Attom investigating home seller trends in the third quarter of 2025 found some surprising results. The average California seller had owned their home for 11.2 years. This isn’t just a local trend. It’s the third-longest ownership tenure in the entire country, significantly outpacing the national average of 8.4 years by nearly three years.
How California Stacks Up Nationally
The Golden State is part of a pattern where higher-cost housing markets often see longer homeownership periods. Homeowners seem more inclined to stay put when the financial hurdles to move are high. The states with the longest and shortest tenures paint a clear picture of this economic reality.
Here’s a look at the top rankings for longest average ownership:
- Massachusetts: 12.9 years
- Connecticut: 12.7 years
- California: 11.2 years
- Rhode Island: 11.0 years
- Washington: 10.7 years
On the other end of the spectrum, states with more affordable housing see much quicker turnover. The shortest ownership periods were found in Maine (4.8 years), Mississippi (5.7 years), and South Dakota (5.8 years). What about California’s chief economic rivals? They don’t even come close. Texas ranked 26th with an average tenure of just 7.5 years, while Florida came in at 16th with 8.6 years.
What’s Behind the ‘Stay-Put’ Mentality?
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. The trend of longer homeownership is rising nationwide, with 34 states hitting record-high tenure lengths in the same quarter. Several powerful factors are anchoring homeowners to their properties, creating a less mobile market.
First and foremost are the “golden handcuffs” of low mortgage rates. Millions of homeowners refinanced or bought during the pandemic era, securing interest rates in the 2-3% range. With current rates hovering near historical norms, selling a home and buying another often means taking on a much larger, more expensive monthly payment, making a move financially unappealing.
The historically cheap mortgages of the pandemic era make relocation financially challenging now that rates are near historic norms.
Demographics also play a significant role. The American population is aging, and older individuals and families tend to move far less frequently than their younger counterparts. This natural demographic shift contributes to overall market stability. Finally, the challenge of pricey homes has become a nationwide issue, stifling the traditional “move-up” market where families sell a starter home to buy something larger.
A Decade of Deepening Roots
The trend of staying put in California isn’t new, but it is accelerating. Looking back a decade, the average ownership length for California sellers has jumped by 2.2 years since 2015. This is the fourth-largest increase among all states and double the nationwide rise of 1.1 years over the same period. This indicates that the factors keeping Californians in their homes are particularly strong in the Golden State.
By comparison, the increase in tenure for rival states was much smaller. Texas saw its average ownership length increase by 1.3 years, while Florida’s grew by just 1.2 years. The data suggests that while the nation is becoming more settled, the effect is amplified in California.
Golden State Cities Dominate Longevity Rankings
The statewide numbers are even more pronounced at the local level. When the Attom study reviewed 114 metropolitan areas, California cities completely dominated the top of the list for homeowner longevity. An incredible five of the top 10 metros with the longest ownership tenures are located in California.
These areas represent a mix of coastal and tech-heavy regions where real estate is notoriously expensive:
- San Francisco: 13.1 years
- Santa Cruz: 13.1 years
- Eureka: 13.0 years
- Ventura County: 12.6 years
- San Jose: 12.5 years
While Barnstable, Massachusetts, claimed the top spot in the U.S. at 14.4 years, California’s heavy presence in the top 10 underscores the state’s unique housing situation. The numbers challenge the simple narrative of flight, revealing a population deeply invested in their communities and homes, anchored by a complex mix of financial incentives and demographic realities.