Joe Rogan, the comedian, podcast host, and UFC commentator, announced back in May 2020 that he would be moving from Los Angeles, California, to Austin, Texas. It was a careful, thought out decision for him, but the move has turned out to be quite a successful one for him and his close circle of friends.
There were several reasons for Rogan’s decision to make this move:
Rogan moved to Austin, Texas primarily because of the lower cost of living, lower taxes, and to escape the crowdedness and traffic of Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional reasons included the opportunity of owning his own comedy club, expanding his podcast studio, and having a central location in the country.
While Rogan had been contemplating a move out of Los Angeles for a number of years, it was perhaps the COVID-19 pandemic that was the final straw in his decision making. Compared to Austin, lockdowns were more severe in Los Angeles, peaking with bans of most walking, driving, and public transport.
#10 – Podcast Studio Expansion
Joe Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” is one of the most popular podcasts in the world. Moving to Texas allowed him to build a state-of-the-art podcast studio, which he mentioned in his move announcement. The new studio provides him with more space and advanced equipment to continue producing high-quality content.
#9 – Community & Networking
Austin, Texas, has a thriving creative and tech community, which may have provided Rogan with new opportunities for collaboration and networking. Being part of a vibrant community can be stimulating and conducive to personal and professional growth.
#8 – Relocation of Friends & Guests
Rogan often hosts guests from various fields on his podcast from all over the country. Some of his friends and frequent guests also moved to Texas, including Tom Segura, Lex Fridman and Elon Musk, making it more convenient for them to appear on his show. Young Jamie even made the move too!
Also See: Who is Young Jamie? His Amazing Life Revealed!
#7 – Freedom & Lifestyle
Rogan mentioned in various interviews that he appreciated the sense of freedom and individualism he found in Texas. He also expressed a preference for the outdoor lifestyle and recreational opportunities in Austin, which align with his interests in hunting, fitness, and outdoor activities.
#6 – Business Opportunities
Texas, and Austin in particular, has become a hub for technology and media companies, making it an attractive location for content creators like Joe Rogan. Elon Musk is even moving his SpaceX headquarters to Texas, just outside Austin. It offers a vibrant and growing community of artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
One of the biggest opportunities came when Rogan opened a comedy club, Comedy Mothership, with friend Adam Eget. Rogan is an owner of the club and it has been one of the premier attractions in Austin.
Also See: Who is Adam Eget? The Guru Behind The Scenes of Comedy
Rogan is also a part owner of Onnit, a supplement company that is headquarted in Austin, Texas. Being located so close is ideal for business.
#5 – Being “Central” in the Country
I just want to go somewhere in the center of the country, somewhere where its easier to travel to both places. (on episode #1514 with Joe De Sena)
Joe Rogan
The prospect of being in the center of the country was too much for Rogan to pass up. It makes it easier on him to get to both coasts for his comedy shows. Also, it is much easier for JRE podcast guests from the East coast to reach him as opposed to traveling all the way to Los Angeles.
#4 – COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic played a huge role in Rogan’s decision as well. The pandemic led many people to reevaluate their living situations and work arrangements, with some opting for locations that offered more space and fewer restrictions. Rogan had been considering the move prior to the COVID pandemic, but it was what finally pushed him over the edge.
#3 – Cost of Living
Los Angeles is known for its high cost of living, including expensive real estate and high property taxes. In contrast, Austin, Texas generally has a lower cost of living, which can be attractive to individuals looking to reduce their expenses.
Also See: How Joe Rogan Makes Money: A Huge List
#2 – Lower Taxes
One of the primary factors cited by Joe Rogan for his move to Texas was the state’s favorable tax environment. Texas has no state income tax, while California has one of the highest state income tax rates in the United States. This meant that Rogan could potentially save a significant amount of money, especially income tax, by moving to Texas.
#1 – Escape the Chaos of Los Angeles
The heavy traffic and crowded urban environment of Los Angeles has been the most primary reason for Rogan leaving Los Angeles. Moving to Austin offered Rogan a chance to escape the congestion and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life. Not having to deal with that everyday led to increased personal satisfaction and reduced stress for him.
The other part of Los Angeles that discouraged Rogan was the economic despair and homelessness that’s accelerated radically over the last 10 years.
I think there’s too many people here. I don’t think it’s manageable. (episode #1514 Joe De Sena)
Joe Rogan
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