Southern California'spopulation continues to grow, despite the rising cost of housing. Anew report from JLL shows that migrants from majorUS metros are driving population growth in Los Angeles and OrangeCounty. New York, Boston and Chicago are the top three metrosoutside of the State of California adding to the population in LosAngeles and Orange County. Since 2010, Los Angeles has added714,057 people and Orange County has added 243,725 to thepopulation.

“The primary motive of movers coming to the LA-OC market fromanywhere in the nation is their career.” PaulinaTorres, research analyst at JLL, tells GlobeSt.com. “Thehigh cost of living in this area and state is no secret and thosewho decide to make the move are well aware and likely well preparedor incentivized to make this move. This market attracts a stableflow of college-educated professionals, especially from the EastCoast. Looking at the most recent American Community Survey annualdata for California, of individuals 25-years and older, a net86,890 residents, without bachelor's degrees were lost while only4,443 residents with a four-year degree were lost. The state gained11,653 people with graduate degrees.”

While the cost of living is certainly a problem for those movingto the market, the benefits of living in California continue tooutweigh the bad. The weather specifically is a benefit, and mostpeople moving to the market are moving from cold-weather areas.“The cost of living, especially concerning housing, is the greatestchallenge to face when considering living in California,” addsTorres. “Still, superior weather, diverse landscapes, andspecialized job opportunities continue to attract the nation'shighly educated population.”