Texas has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for domestic migration in the United States, drawing residents from across the country with its combination of economic opportunity, cultural vibrancy and lifestyle advantages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, Texas welcomed over 668,300 new residents between 2021 and 2022, making it the second-most popular state for domestic movers during that period, trailing only Florida.
The state’s appeal spans multiple dimensions: it boasts no state income tax, a relatively lower cost of living compared to coastal metros like Los Angeles and New York, and a business-friendly environment that has attracted major corporations and entrepreneurs. These factors, combined with its rich cultural landscape — including world-renowned events like South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin and storied franchises like the Dallas Cowboys — have made Texas a compelling choice for individuals from all walks of life, including a growing number of high-profile celebrities.
Among those who have publicly confirmed their relocation to Texas are actors, musicians, entrepreneurs, and media personalities who cite reasons ranging from family proximity and mental well-being to professional freedom and creative inspiration. Their decisions reflect broader trends in domestic migration, where affordability and quality of life are increasingly influencing where people choose to live and function.
Why Celebrities Are Choosing Texas: Lifestyle, Family, and Creative Freedom
For many celebrities, the move to Texas represents a deliberate shift away from the pressures of traditional entertainment hubs. Actor James Marsden, a longtime visitor to Austin, made the permanent move in 2020, citing proximity to his mother as a key factor. In a 2020 interview with “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” he said, “I love it. I’ve been coming here for 20 years. I’m much closer to my mom and everybody. I love it. It’s great.” Marsden, who was born in Oklahoma, has frequently spoken about his appreciation for Texas’s slower pace and strong sense of community.
Similarly, actor Glen Powell, a native Texan, returned to Austin from Los Angeles in recent years, speaking openly about mental health motivations. In a 2024 interview with USA Today, Powell explained that the constant immersion in entertainment culture in Los Angeles had begun to feel creatively stifling: “When all you do is consume movies and entertainment, you could become a little self-aware and maybe derivative of yourself… Your personal life, there’s no sort of freedom there… and I feel like that’s just not good for you on the long term.” He described Austin as a place where he could reconnect with family and regain a sense of personal balance.
Supermodel Bella Hadid relocated to Fort Worth in early 2024, telling Allure magazine that the move was driven by a desire to focus on her mental and physical health. Diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2013, Hadid said she needed a slower, more grounded lifestyle: “For the first time now, I’m not putting on a fake face. If I don’t feel good, I won’t go. If I don’t feel good, I take time for myself… Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am.” She emphasized the value of being able to spend time with friends and her partner, professional horseman Adan Banuelos, without the pressures of constant public scrutiny.
Actor Jamie Lynn Sigler, known for her role in “The Sopranos,” moved to Austin in 2021 with her family. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, she reflected on how the change impacted her relationship with her craft: “I almost feel more connected to my craft and why I love acting… I don’t feel the pressure around it because we took a stand for ourselves and we made decisions for our families.” Sigler highlighted the importance of being able to prioritize family life while still maintaining her career, noting that the reduced stress of her new environment allowed her to approach work with renewed intention.
Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders: Building Bases in the Lone Star State
Beyond entertainment figures, Texas has attracted prominent business leaders and innovators drawn by its pro-business policies and infrastructure growth. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been one of the most high-profile figures to shift operations to the state. In 2021, he moved Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, and in 2020, he announced his personal relocation to the state during a Wall Street Journal CEO Council appearance. Musk has since brought additional companies under the X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX banners to Texas, citing regulatory and operational advantages.
In 2025, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick confirmed via a podcast appearance that he had moved to Texas in December 2024, joining a growing cohort of tech executives who have left California for states with lower tax burdens and fewer regulatory constraints. While Kalanick did not specify his exact location, he joined others like Musk in framing the move as part of a broader search for environments conducive to innovation and long-term planning.
Meanwhile, actor and environmental advocate Woody Harrelson, who returned to Texas in 2023 after years in Hawaii, has become an active advocate for expanding the state’s film and television industry. Alongside longtime friend Matthew McConaughey, Harrelson lobbied for legislative support that culminated in the passage of Senate Bill 22 in 2025. The bill, signed into law by the Texas Legislature, allocates $300 million every two years through 2035 to support film and television production in the state, with the goal of establishing Texas as a major national hub for entertainment creation.
McConaughey, an Oscar-winning actor and longtime Austin resident, moved to the city in 2012 with his wife, Camila Alves, after purchasing a home in the area. In a 2024 profile in Southern Living, he described the initial motivation as a family crisis involving his mother and brothers, but noted that the decision to stay was rooted in the reestablishment of meaningful routines: “Ritual came back… whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night, or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen.” The couple has since raised their three children in Austin, embedding themselves in the local community.
Cultural Figures and Athletes: Deep Roots and New Beginnings
Some celebrities have returned to Texas as a homecoming, reconnecting with places tied to their upbringing or personal history. Actor Jared Padalecki, a San Antonio native, relocated from Los Angeles to Austin in 2012 with his wife, Genevieve, long before the trend gained widespread attention. In a 2020 Instagram video filmed on Austin’s 24th Street, he described the city as a source of emotional grounding: “Austin brings me a warmth and a happiness and a peace that I have been unable to find anywhere else in my travels. I love being here.” Padalecki has frequently cited the city’s sense of authenticity and community as central to his well-being.
Comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan moved to Texas during the pandemic, a transition he discussed on his show in 2023. After visiting lakeside areas with his family, he recalled his children’s enthusiasm: “Then we went to the lake, and people are playing music and jumping in the water… [They] were like, ‘We wish to live here!’” Two months later, he made the move permanent. Rogan has since praised Texas for its openness, natural beauty, and suitability for raising a family away from the intensity of urban coastal life.
Former mixed martial arts fighter turned TikTok food critic Keith Lee relocated to Dallas in November 2024 after years in Las Vegas. In a December 2024 video reviewing the Dallas restaurant The Wicked Butcher, he noted his growing appreciation for the city’s dining scene: “One thing I do love about the Dallas food scene — we’ve been here a month, a month and a half — they do have some nice fine dining restaurants.” Lee’s move underscores how Texas’s evolving culinary and cultural offerings are attracting professionals in digital media and lifestyle commentary.
Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend and entrepreneur, has been actively investing in real estate and business ventures in North Texas. In 2022, he purchased a home in Carrollton, and by 2024, he had opened a location of his Big Chicken restaurant chain in Fort Worth. Speaking to WFAA in June 2024, O’Neal said he intends to make the region his primary base: “I’m 75% going to move here full time… I have to witness what’s going on with TNT next year, but based on that, you’ll probably be seeing a lot more of me.” His investments reflect a broader trend of celebrities using their platforms to support local economic development.
Broader Implications: Texas as a Model for Domestic Migration Trends
The influx of celebrities to Texas is part of a larger national pattern of domestic migration driven by economic considerations, lifestyle preferences, and shifting work norms. The rise of remote and hybrid work has reduced geographic constraints for many professionals, enabling them to prioritize factors like housing affordability, tax policy, and access to nature when choosing where to live. Texas, with its combination of urban amenities and expansive open spaces, has become a focal point for this redistribution.
State officials and economic analysts have noted that the trend brings both opportunities and challenges. While new residents contribute to economic growth and cultural diversity, rapid population increases in cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston have intensified demand for housing, infrastructure, and public services. According to the Texas Demographic Center, the state’s population is projected to continue growing at a rate above the national average through the 2030s, necessitating thoughtful planning around sustainability, equity, and resource management.
For the celebrities who have made the move, the decision often reflects a desire for authenticity and balance. Whether motivated by health, family, creative freedom, or entrepreneurial ambition, their public testimonies highlight how personal values are increasingly shaping where people choose to build their lives — even when fame and fortune offer access to nearly any location in the world.
As Texas continues to evolve as a destination for both everyday Americans and high-profile figures, its ability to accommodate growth while preserving the qualities that attract people in the first place will be closely watched. For now, the Lone Star State remains a powerful symbol of opportunity and reinvention in 21st-century America.
If you’ve experienced a similar move or have thoughts on what makes a place feel like home, we welcome your comments below. Share this article with others who might be considering a change of scenery — and let’s keep the conversation going.