Central coast here and the biggest difference is the fruits and vegetables, besides the obvious seafood. Monterey county produces so much that we have an abundance of excellent fruit year round, and all year is growing season for leafy vegetables. The Mexican food doesn’t touch Texas, and despite the Crossroads Barbecue in Carmel being pretty good, beef here is not even close to Texas standard. I’ll take the trade.
Regarding the Texodus, the people I know who have moved have all done it to trade up in housing and down in cost. And not because they were well off, mostly because of cost. The ones who can afford it aren’t leaving because it’s fucking paradise here. Texas is still relatively cheap, although every time I come back to visit I notice food and restaurant prices are starting to close the gap to Cali. Hotel, car rental, gas, and housing still not in the same universe.