San Clemente sits at the southern tip of Orange County, and people move to and from it in every direction: from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, from elsewhere in Orange County, from other states and, increasingly, on to places with lower home prices. This page collects the public data on those moves and turns it into a list of things to compare and a checklist for your own timeline.
Migration Data
Moving To and From San Clemente: Orange County Migration and a Checklist
Where people moved to and from Orange County in 2022–2023, how many San Clemente residents lived elsewhere a year ago, what to compare and a timeline checklist.
What the numbers describe
Three public data sets are used here. The IRS and Census population figures cover Orange County as a whole; the American Community Survey covers ZIP codes 92672 and 92673, which is San Clemente.
- IRS county-to-county migration. The IRS compares the addresses on tax returns from one year to the next and counts the people (the filer, a spouse and dependents) whose county changed. It shows where people came from and where they went, by county and state. It is the best public picture of who moves between counties, but it leaves out people who do not file a return, and it hides very small flows.
- Census Bureau population estimates. Each year the Census Bureau splits a county’s population change into births minus deaths, domestic migration and international migration. It shows the direction and size of the change but not the counties on the other end.
- American Community Survey (ACS). A yearly survey that asks residents where they lived one year earlier. The five-year estimates are available for ZIP codes, so they are the only public source here that speaks to a single ZIP code.
The big picture
Moving in and moving out: the big picture
Two public sources, the IRS and the Census Bureau, count moves into and out of Orange County.
Moving in, moving out, net
People counted on tax returns (adults and their dependents) whose address changed between counties; grouped by where they came from or went. Source: IRS Statistics of Income.
| Where from or to | Moved in 2022–2023 | Moved out 2022–2023 | Net 2022–2023 | Net 2021–2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other California counties | 61,291 | 62,507 | −1,216 | −880 |
| Other states | 28,533 | 49,058 | −20,525 | −28,968 |
| Other countries | 1,140 | 1,819 | −679 | +17 |
| All moves | 90,964 | 113,384 | −22,420 | −29,831 |
In 2022–2023, about 90,964 people moved into Orange County and about 113,384 moved out, a net change of −22,420. Put in proportion, arrivals were about 2.9% of the county’s population and departures about 3.6%.
The Census estimate, year by year
Estimates for July 1 of each year; “net” is natural change plus domestic and international migration.
| Year | Population | Births minus deaths | Domestic migration | International migration | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 1, 2022 | 3,156,252 | +7,541 | −27,754 | +16,522 | −11,232 |
| Year to July 1, 2023 | 3,149,341 | +7,204 | −35,669 | +21,406 | −14,263 |
| Year to July 1, 2024 | 3,158,027 | +7,797 | −22,482 | +23,385 | +903 |
| Year to July 1, 2025 | 3,149,507 | +7,721 | −25,357 | +9,161 | −16,196 |
The Census Bureau’s population estimates tell a similar story. In the year to July 1, 2025, the estimate for Orange County shows −25,357 from domestic migration (people moving between here and elsewhere in the U.S.) and +9,161 from international migration, against +23,385 the year before.
These are counts of people and households by place. They cannot say why anyone moved, and they leave out people who do not file a tax return. Small flows are grouped together by the IRS and not shown.
From and to
Where people move from and to
County to county, 2022–2023, from IRS tax-return address changes.
Where newcomers came from
People who moved into Orange County in 2022–2023, by the county they left. Top 8.
Where people went
People who moved out of Orange County in 2022–2023, by the county they moved to. Top 8.
Both directions side by side
Flows under 10 tax returns are not published, which is why some cells say so.
| County | Moved in | Moved out | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 31,420 | 23,952 | +7,468 |
| Riverside, CA | 8,941 | 16,097 | −7,156 |
| San Bernardino, CA | 5,104 | 6,498 | −1,394 |
| San Diego, CA | 4,787 | 5,810 | −1,023 |
| Maricopa, AZ | 1,482 | 2,978 | −1,496 |
| Clark, NV | 1,384 | 2,966 | −1,582 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 1,786 | 1,340 | +446 |
| King, WA | 1,168 | 1,266 | −98 |
Los Angeles, CA is both the biggest source of newcomers (31,420 people) and the biggest destination (23,952). The weakest was with Riverside, CA (−7,156). On balance the exchange with Los Angeles, CA came to +7,468.
Other states
Other states: who comes and who goes
State totals add up the county-level flows for each state.
Beyond California: the states
People moving between Orange County and other states, 2022–2023, sorted by departures. Top 8.
| State | Moved in | Moved out | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,867 | 7,062 | −4,195 |
| Arizona | 2,207 | 4,744 | −2,537 |
| Nevada | 1,559 | 3,475 | −1,916 |
| Washington | 2,037 | 2,731 | −694 |
| Florida | 1,198 | 2,568 | −1,370 |
| Colorado | 1,073 | 1,944 | −871 |
| Tennessee | 222 | 1,713 | −1,491 |
| Oregon | 808 | 1,532 | −724 |
In all, 28,533 people arrived from other states and 49,058 left for them, a net of −20,525. Texas is the busiest partner by volume (2,867 in, 7,062 out) and also the widest gap (−4,195).
Inside the ZIP code
How many residents are recent arrivals
The Census Bureau asks residents where they lived one year earlier.
Where residents lived a year ago
Share of residents aged one year and over, by where they lived one year earlier. Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024.
| Area | Same home | Moved within the county | From another California county | From another state | From abroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 92672 (San Clemente, north) | 85.2% | 7.5% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| ZIP 92673 (San Clemente, Talega and south) | 92.0% | 3.9% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Orange County | 88.9% | 6.7% | 2.6% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
In ZIP 92672, 14.8% of residents lived at a different address a year earlier, above the 11.1% for Orange County. 2.7% came from another state, well above the 1.0% countywide, and 1.8% from abroad.
Survey estimates have a margin of error, and a small share of residents in a ZIP are new each year. The figures describe the residents, not the neighborhood’s character.
What it suggests for San Clemente buyers and sellers
- Orange County lost more people than it gained. The IRS counted 22,420 more departures than arrivals in 2022–2023, and Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Texas and Arizona were among the top destinations. The numbers do not say why.
- The two ZIP codes differ. 14.8% of 92672 residents lived at a different address a year earlier, against 8.0% in 92673 and 11.1% across the county.
- Los Angeles County is the biggest neighbor in both directions. 31,420 people came from Los Angeles and 23,952 went the other way. Neighboring counties usually trade the most people, through jobs, family and housing choices.
- Prices and taxes travel with the buyer. Someone moving from a lower-priced market meets a different tax and insurance picture, and someone moving out to Riverside or Texas meets another. The table below is a place to begin.
Differences to consider
Differences to consider before you move
The things newcomers most often ask about, with a place to start on each.
What to compare
General information for orientation. Confirm anything that matters with the official source, your lender and your agent.
| Topic | What to compare | Where to look or whom to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax | Expect a tax bill built on your purchase price, not on the last owner’s. After a sale, California also sends a supplemental bill for the difference, so keep some cash aside for it. | The property tax estimator; the county assessor for a specific address. |
| Special taxes | A tax bill can include special assessments beyond the base rate. Get the annual amount, the end date and the payoff amount before you make an offer. Ask specifically about community facilities districts: a number of newer Orange County communities carry them. | Your agent and the title company’s report; the county tax bill. |
| How the closing works | Expect an escrow account, title insurance and a written timeline. If you are used to attorney-led closings, ask the escrow officer to explain each step. | Your agent and the escrow officer. |
| Disclosures and reports | Read every disclosure and report; they describe the home’s condition and its hazard zones. They are the best source of questions to ask. | Your agent; the inspectors you choose. |
| Insurance | Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquakes, and flood is a separate policy. Get quotes before your contingency period ends so the premium is part of your budget. | An independent insurance broker. |
| Associations (HOAs) | Many Southern California communities have homeowners associations. Ask for the rules (CC&Rs), the budget and the reserve study, and check dues, rental rules and parking rules. | The association’s documents, which escrow provides. |
| Utilities and running costs | Budget the running costs, not only the mortgage: electricity, water, trash and internet. Ask for a year of bills and check whether the home has air conditioning. San Diego Gas & Electric, not Southern California Edison, serves San Clemente, which surprises some newcomers from elsewhere in Orange County. | The seller (for recent bills) and the utility companies. |
| Getting around | Ask where your regular trips will go (work, airport, family) and time them at the hours you would really travel. Interstate 5 is the main road, and commuter and intercity rail stops at San Clemente Pier; check current schedules. | Try the drive at your own commute hour. |
Checklist
A moving checklist
Practical steps for a move to the area, grouped by kind of task.
A moving checklist
Print this page or copy the list. Not every item applies to every move.
Money
- Sit down with a lender early; a pre-approval shows what you can comfortably afford.
- Build a full monthly budget: principal and interest, property tax, insurance and any HOA dues or special-tax charges.
- Estimate closing costs and the cash you will need at escrow with the closing cost tool.
- If you are coming from another state: If you are relocating from a state without an income tax, ask a tax professional what California will change for you.
- Compare two or three moving quotes and check what the mover’s insurance covers.
- If you are coming from another country: Ask a lender what income and bank records they need, and how long it takes to document money coming from another country.
- If you are selling and coming from elsewhere in California: If you own a home now, decide whether your purchase depends on its sale, and estimate the proceeds.
- If you are selling and coming from elsewhere in California: Before you sell, check with the county assessor whether Proposition 19 lets you keep your current property-tax base.
- If you are renting: Decide what you can pay in rent and when to revisit buying, with the rent-versus-buy tool.
- Keep some cash aside for the supplemental property tax bill California sends after a purchase.
Paperwork
- Read the seller’s disclosures (the Transfer Disclosure Statement and the Natural Hazard Disclosure) and ask your agent about anything unclear.
- Ask escrow for the HOA package early and read the rules, dues and reserve information carefully.
- Do not remove contingencies until you have seen an insurance quote for the home.
- Arrange mail forwarding and send your new address to your bank, employer, insurers and subscription services.
- If you are coming from another state: Check the DMV: new residents are generally expected to get a California driver’s license within 10 days and register vehicles within 20.
- Register to vote at your new address.
- If you are coming from another country: Open a U.S. bank account, keep copies of your documents, and ask a lender how a U.S. credit history is built.
- If you are selling: Request the property’s permit history and collect the HOA paperwork before you list.
- If you are renting: Read the lease carefully for the notice, deposit and renewal provisions.
The home
- Schedule the general inspection and the pest inspection right away, since contingency periods are short.
- Ask about smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms and water-heater bracing, which California requires to be in place at a sale.
- Walk the home one last time before closing to check repairs, appliances and condition.
- If you are selling: Ask for a market report for your street, then decide what to fix, stage and photograph.
- Measure doors, stairs and rooms for big furniture, and ask your HOA or building about moving-truck rules.
- On day one, change the locks, test the smoke alarms and find the water shut-off.
Daily life
- See the area on a weekday morning, a weekend and after dark before you commit.
- Set up electric and gas, water, trash and internet, and ask for the last twelve months of bills to see typical costs.
- Line up a doctor, dentist and vet and have your records and prescriptions transferred.
- If you are coming from another state: Ask whether the home has air conditioning and how it stays comfortable; some coastal homes do not have it.
- Keep the essentials in one box you open first: chargers, medications, important papers and sheets.
How Rudy can help
Rudy Flores, Real Estate Strategist with Coldwell Banker West, can turn this page into a plan for your move to San Clemente: the market numbers for your ZIP code, the differences that apply to your situation and a timeline you can print. He also introduces newcomers to the local professionals they tend to need first, such as a lender, an inspector and an insurance broker.
Tell him where you are coming from, when you would like to be settled and whether you plan to buy, sell first or rent first. He will send a short, personal plan, with no pressure.
Common questions
Is the data about San Clemente?
The IRS and Census population figures are for Orange County. The ACS table is for San Clemente’s two ZIP codes.
Why do so many people move out of Orange County?
The data counts moves, not reasons. Housing costs, jobs, family and preferences each play a part, and the totals mix them.
Does moving out of the county change my property tax?
Buying a new home resets the taxable value to the purchase price. Homeowners 55 or older and some others may be able to carry their tax base to a new home in California under Proposition 19; ask the assessor early.
A note on what this is
The figures here come from the IRS and the U.S. Census Bureau and are dated on the page. They are general information for orientation. Rudy Flores is a licensed real estate agent (CalDRE #02257808), and nothing here is tax, legal or financial advice or a prediction of prices. Rules and deadlines change, so confirm them with the agency involved.
Keep exploring
- Market reports — Values, inventory and price cuts for the ZIP code.
- Weekly and monthly updates — Dated updates on the local market.
- San Clemente buyer guide — The process for buyers.
- San Clemente ZIP codes compared — 92672 and 92673 side by side.
- Moving cost planner — Estimate the cost of the move itself.
- Orange County Property Tax for San Clemente Buyers — How the property tax bill works after a purchase.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
Sources
- IRS Statistics of Income: migration data (county-to-county flows)
- U.S. Census Bureau: county population totals and components of change, 2020–2025
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020–2024, table B07001 (geographic mobility)
General information for orientation, not legal, tax, financial or appraisal advice. Details change; confirm anything that matters with the official source, your lender and your agent.