Jensen Huang Says Move to California Despite Tax Hike

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is going against the grain. At a Stanford University event on Thursday, April 10, 2026, the world's 10th-richest person told audience members something that might surprise many: "Move to California. Don't leave. It's the highest taxes in the world, but it's OK. The weather is great," he said, according to Bloomberg reporting. Bloomberg

This endorsement of the Golden State comes as a growing wave of ultra-high-net-worth individuals—including several major tech executives—have been fleeing California due to a proposed billionaire wealth tax. Huang, whose fortune sits at $152.3 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, chose to publicly break with that trend, telling people to pack their bags for the West Coast instead.

The Billionaire Exodus Dilemma

While Huang is saying "move to California," some of the world's wealthiest people are doing the opposite. Reports indicate that billionaires including Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have exited the state in recent months ahead of the proposed 5% wealth tax on ultra-high-net-worth residents. Bloomberg For these executives, the math stopped adding up— California's increasingly aggressive tax policies made packing up and relocating simply more financially sensible.

Huang's stance puts him in an unusual position: a tech billionaire publicly embracing California's tax burden when his peers are actively avoiding it. But Huang has been consistent in his view. He previously stated he is "perfectly fine" with any new taxes, explaining that he chose to live in Silicon Valley and understands the trade-offs involved. This is a man who clearly believes the benefits of California's ecosystem outweigh the tax bite.

Ro Khanna's Complicated Position

Huang wasn't alone at the Stanford event. Congressman Ro Khanna joined him, but the congressman's presence comes with political complications. Bloomberg Khanna himself faced significant backlash for supporting California's proposed wealth tax—making him a contrasting figure to Huang's pro-California message. While Huang was warmly received championing California's merits, Khanna has had to navigate sharp criticism from constituents and fellow Democrats who question whether penalizing wealth accumulation makes economic sense.

The dynamic between these two figures illustrates just how contentious the wealth tax debate has become. On one side, you have Huang essentially saying the taxes are worth it for California's weather, talent ecosystem, and innovation culture. On the other, you have lawmakers like Khanna trying to defend a policy that many argue drives away the very people who contribute most to the state's tax base.

What This Means for California's Future

The clash between Huang's optimism and the billionaire exodus raises bigger questions about California's future as a tech hub. The state has long been the epicenter of innovation—from Silicon Valley startups to big tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, and Google all maintaining major footprints there. But as taxes climb and neighboring states like Texas roll out welcome mats with no state income tax, some wonder how long California's gravitational pull will last.

According to industry analysts, California's appeal goes beyond just taxes. The concentration of talent, venture capital, universities like Stanford and Berkeley, and an established infrastructure for tech companies creates a moat that no other state has fully replicated. Huang clearly believes this—if you've got the right skills, California still has opportunities nowhere else in the world can match. AI News

Yet the wealth tax debate isn't going away. As more billionaires consider their options, California lawmakers will need to weigh whether maintaining high earners in the state matters more than the symbolic victory of taxing extreme wealth. Huang's endorsement, despite being one of the world's wealthiest people, adds an interesting data point to that policy discussion. Either way, the "Move to California" message from Nvidia's CEO is a stark contrast to the headlines about people leaving—and that tension isn't resolved anytime soon.

The Bottom Line

Jensen Huang isn't worried about California's taxes—and he wants everyone to know it. His public push for people to move to California, especially amid a broader conversation about wealth taxes, signals his confidence in the state's future. Whether you're a tech worker considering where to build your career or a policymaker debating tax structures, Huang's message is clear: the Golden State's benefits still outweigh the costs. And from someone who turned Nvidia into a $2 trillion company, that's a take worth paying attention to.

If you're interested in how California's tax policies are reshaping the tech industry landscape, stay tuned to Tech & Games coverage as this story develops. The debate over how to tax the wealthy while keeping talent is far from over, and the outcomes will shape California's economic trajectory for decades to come.