Prices, traffic may push more to flee region

An increasing number of Bay Area residents are planning to move out of the area, or at least considering it, primarily because of housing prices, the rising cost of living and traffic, according to a new poll.

The survey of a randomly selected group of 1,000 registered voters from the nine counties, released Thursday, found that 19 percent “strongly agreed,” and another 21 percent “somewhat agreed,” with a statement that they were likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years. Forty-six percent of the respondents disagreed, either strongly or somewhat, and the rest said they didn’t know.

Thirty percent of those 18 to 24 strongly agreed that they were likely to leave, compared with 13 percent of those 65 and older, the poll reported. African Americans and Latinos, renters, and those who spent 45 percent or more of their income on housing also stood out as likely to consider moving, the poll results showed.

Geographically, residents of Santa Clara and Solano counties were the most likely to say they were considering relocation, and residents of Marin and Sonoma counties were the least likely.

The same survey a year ago found that 13 percent strongly agreed that they were likely to move and 21 percent somewhat agreed.

Pollsters asked residents what they see as the most serious problems facing the Bay Area. The most frequent answer was the cost of living, mentioned by 25 percent of respondents, followed by housing at 17 percent, traffic at 13 percent, and poverty or income inequality at 9 percent. Similar results were reported in last year’s survey.

The poll was sponsored by the businessbacked Bay Area Council. Its president, Jim Wunderman, said the results support the group’s call for more housing and fewer restrictions on development.

“Until we get serious about building the housing we need, we’re going to continue seeing our region drained of the young and diverse talent that has helped make the Bay Area an economic powerhouse,” he said in a statement. “We know what the solutions are — streamline local approval and reduce fees and regulatory costs — we just need the political will.”

The cost of living, which respondents rated the most serious problem, is closely related to housing, Wunderman said. “The Bay Area is more expensive than other places, but the cost of housing is particularly out of whack,” he said.

The median price paid for new and existing homes and condos in the Bay Area was $662,000 in February, a 7.6 percent increase over last year, according to a newly released report.

New census figures found that population growth in the area has slowed and that three counties — Santa Clara, San Mateo and Marin — lost more people than they gained in the 12month period that ended in June.

The poll was conducted online from Jan. 24 through Feb. 1. It had a 3.1 percentage point margin of error.