But that's not what most of the data shows. The bulk of the data shows lower-income, lower education Californians moving out. The strongest peak is for minimum wage incomes.
While middle class incomes are still shown as leaving CA, it's far less than those at the lower end. For me the starkest and most concerning contrast is not wealthy vs. poor, but young vs. old.
CA has the highest poverty rates in the country, along with the highest taxes. SF is rich as all hell, but can't keep feces and needles from littering the sidewalks or car windows intact. Cupertino had virtue signaling signs up supporting undocumented immigrants and welcoming them to their city - but their housing policy shows only the rich of any race or creed are welcome.
All the while places like Houston are booming, with development happening everywhere, affordable housing, diverse population, and jobs.
By what metric? looking at the census data, it appears the poverty rate of California, while not great, is certainly not the worst.
https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/saipe/saipe.html?s_ap...
http://www.politifact.com/california/statements/2017/jan/20/...