US Address Form: State & Zip Code | Country Selection

Austin, Texas – Economic data released Sunday revealed continued divergence in the economic performance of California and Texas, with Texas exhibiting stronger GDP growth in 2023. California’s GDP grew by 2.0% in 2023, while Texas experienced a more substantial 7.4% increase, according to comparative data.

The figures, which analyze data through the end of 2023, show Texas’s annual GDP reaching $2.583866 trillion, compared to California’s $3.870379 trillion. While California’s overall economic output remains larger, the growth rate indicates a widening gap in momentum. Per capita GDP in California reached $98,737 in 2023, exceeding Texas’s $84,089.

Labor market data also presents a contrasting picture. As of December 2025, Texas reported an unemployment rate of 4.3%, lower than California’s 5.5%. This difference in unemployment rates reflects ongoing shifts in employment patterns between the two states.

Population figures for 2024 show California with 39,431,263 residents and Texas with 31,290,831. California maintains its position as the most populous state, but Texas continues to experience significant population growth. Population density in California is significantly higher, at 934 people per square kilometer, compared to 52 in Texas.

The states also differ in socio-demographic indicators. In 2020, the percentage of the population at risk of poverty was 11.0% in California and 14.0% in Texas. Crude divorce rates in 1990 were similar, at 4.30‰ for California and 4.25‰ for Texas, while crude marriage rates in 2016 were 6.46‰ and 7.08‰ respectively.

Data related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as of September 3, 2023, shows California with 101,159 deaths and 12,129,699 confirmed cases, while Texas reported 93,390 deaths and 8,466,220 confirmed cases. Vaccination rates, as of October 5, 2023, were also different, with 29,588,939 Californians fully vaccinated compared to 18,406,327 Texans.

The political dynamic between the two states remains a consistent point of contrast, with California generally aligning with the Democratic Party and Texas with the Republican Party. This ideological divide influences policy decisions and approaches to governance, as evidenced by differing levels of government intervention and regulation. The states are often positioned as representing contrasting models of economic and social policy.