If you’re an energy executive in California right now, you’ve probably had the conversation. Maybe at a conference, maybe over drinks with a colleague who just made the jump. “Have you thought about Texas?”
You’re not imagining the trend. Dallas Fed research shows California was the source of over 44,400 jobs moving to Texas between 2010 and 2019 alone. And it’s only picked up since then. Nearly 32% of all out-of-state movers to Texas now choose the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, according to recent migration data.
So what do you actually need to know if you’re seriously considering this?
“The energy sector is experiencing a fundamental geographic shift,” says Jim Hickey, President and Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, a Dallas-Fort Worth executive search firm. “California executives are discovering that DFW offers the infrastructure, talent pool, and business environment that allows them to focus on growth rather than regulatory hurdles.”
Let’s Talk About the Tax Thing
You already know this part. But seeing the actual numbers still hits different.
California’s top marginal income tax rate is 13.3% for earners above one million dollars. Add in the 1.1% payroll tax and you’re looking at 14.4%. Texas? Zero state income tax. None.
Here’s what that means in real terms: if you’re earning $500,000 a year, you could be keeping an extra $50,000 annually. Just by changing your address. That’s not a rounding error. That’s a meaningful shift in how you build wealth, fund your kids’ education, or invest in your next chapter.
“When executives do the math, the numbers speak for themselves,” Hickey explains. “A senior vice president in the energy sector can effectively give themselves a significant raise simply by changing their home address. That financial freedom is transforming where industry leadership chooses to build their careers.”
And it’s not just individuals feeling this. The Tax Foundation ranks California 49th in its Business Tax Climate Index. Texas consistently lands among the most business-friendly. That regulatory gap is why you’ve seen moves like Chevron relocating its headquarters from San Ramon to Houston.
What Your Housing Dollar Actually Buys
This is where things get interesting. Maybe even a little fun.
California’s median home price is projected to hit $909,400 in 2025. Dallas-Fort Worth? You’re looking at home costs roughly 42% lower than Los Angeles County. And we’re not talking about downsizing. We’re talking about more house, more land, newer construction.
The DFW luxury market is having a moment. Texas Realtors report that Dallas-Fort Worth accounted for 38% of all million-dollar home sales statewide from November 2024 to October 2025. That’s roughly $9.7 billion in transaction volume.
If you’re wondering where executives actually land, here’s the lay of the land:
- Highland Park and University Park (the Park Cities)—prestigious private schools, estates from $2.5 million to well over $30 million. Old money meets new.
- Preston Hollow—if you want acreage and privacy. Lots run anywhere from half an acre to 3+ acres.
- Southlake and Westlake—luxury estates, award-winning schools, the whole package.
- Frisco and Prosper—newer construction, smart-home tech, gated communities. Growing fast.
“California executives are often amazed at what their housing dollars can purchase here,” Hickey notes. “Properties that would command eight figures in Los Angeles are available for a fraction of that price, with more land and newer construction.”
The Energy Ecosystem Here Is Real
You’re not moving to some outpost. DFW has become a genuine energy hub.
The region is home to 21 Fortune 500 companies. Energy Transfer sits at number 53 on the list. Irving-based Vistra saw the largest growth of any DFW corporation in recent rankings. These aren’t just headquarters on paper—they create a whole ecosystem. Networking happens organically. Career paths open up in ways that feel different from the California market.
And the infrastructure backs it up. DFW International gets you direct flights to major business centers worldwide. The central location means you can reach Gulf Coast operations, the Permian Basin, wherever you need to be.
The Honest Quality of Life Picture
Look, I’m not going to pretend Texas summers aren’t brutal. They are. If you’re used to San Diego weather, August in Dallas will be an adjustment. There’s no sugarcoating that.
But here’s the tradeoff: your overall cost of living drops by about 19% compared to Los Angeles. Excellent private schools. Championship golf courses. Cultural districts that have genuinely come into their own.
The growth numbers tell a story too. According to the 2025 U-Haul Growth Index, Texas reclaimed its spot as the number one growth state in the country. Arrivals account for 50.7% of all one-way traffic. People are voting with their feet.
“The executives who thrive here are those who embrace the Texas business culture,” Hickey observes. “There’s a collaborative energy in DFW that differs from the California market. Relationships matter, deals get done over lunch, and the pace allows for both professional achievement and personal fulfillment.”
How to Actually Make the Move
If you’re getting serious about this, here’s what tends to work:
- Find a local executive recruiter who knows both the energy sector and DFW specifically. The market dynamics here are different.
- Do your neighborhood research based on where you’ll actually be working, what schools matter to you, how you want to live day-to-day.
- Start building your network before you arrive. Reach out. Have coffee. Texans respond well to people who make the effort.
- Get a tax professional involved early. The timing and structure of your move matters more than you might think.
- Give yourself time to adjust. The culture is different. Not worse—just different. Stay open.
“The California-to-Texas pipeline in the energy sector shows no signs of slowing,” Hickey concludes. “Executives who make the move thoughtfully, with proper planning and realistic expectations, consistently report that the transition exceeded their hopes. Dallas-Fort Worth isn’t just an alternative to California—for many in our industry, it’s becoming the preferred destination.”
Maybe you’re still on the fence. That’s fair. But if you’ve been having that conversation—the “have you thought about Texas?” one—it might be worth doing more than just thinking about it.
The numbers work. The lifestyle works. And for a lot of energy executives who’ve made the jump, it turns out Texas works too.
