Leaving LA for Phoenix vs. Scottsdale: the numbers
Same metro, same 2.5% flat income tax, very different price points. Here's how Phoenix and Scottsdale compare with LA, using recent Redfin data.
Phoenix and Scottsdale come up together in a lot of conversations with people leaving LA, and for good reason. They sit side by side in the same metro area, they're one short flight or a long day's drive from LA, and Arizona's income tax is a fraction of California's. But at the median, the two cities are almost different markets. Here's how they line up.
The numbers
| Typical LA County zip | Phoenix | Scottsdale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price (all homes) | $904K | $468K | $933K |
| Median single-family home | n/a | $490K | $1.35M |
| Median condo | n/a | $290K | $345K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $279 | $430 |
| Homes sold in the month | n/a | 1,535 | 563 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 52 | 76 |
| Sale-to-list ratio | n/a | 97.9% | 96.4% |
Redfin Data Center. Phoenix and Scottsdale: May 2026. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, March to May 2026.
A few things stand out. Per square foot, Phoenix homes sold for less than half of the typical LA zip, and Scottsdale for about 27% less. Scottsdale's median single-family home, about $1.35 million in May 2026, was actually higher than the typical LA County zip median for all home types. Condos are where the two cities look most alike: a $290K median in Phoenix versus $345K in Scottsdale.
Homes also took longer to sell in Scottsdale (76 median days in May 2026 versus 52 in Phoenix), and sold a bit further below list price. For a buyer coming from LA, that can mean more room to negotiate, though every price range and neighborhood behaves differently.
Taxes
Both cities are in Arizona, so the state picture is the same. Arizona has a flat 2.5% individual income tax rate for all filing statuses, in place since tax year 2023 and used in the Arizona Department of Revenue's 2026 estimated tax booklet. California's brackets top out at 13.3%. Tax proposals come up in every legislative session, so it's worth checking ADOR for the current rate when you plan.
Arizona property tax is based mostly on a "Limited Property Value," which generally can't rise more than 5% a year under Proposition 117, according to an Arizona House summary. Californians will recognize the idea from Prop 13, though the mechanics are different, and a California Prop 13 base doesn't carry over. Tax rates vary by city and district, so ask the Maricopa County Assessor or your agent for the actual bill on any home you're considering.
And as with any move, leaving California generally doesn't take the sale of your LA home out of California's reach. We cover that general background in this post. Please run your own numbers with a CPA.
What people tend to weigh
- Price point. Phoenix offers a wide range of homes around and below $500K. Scottsdale has a much larger luxury segment, with resort, golf and custom-home communities, especially in North Scottsdale.
- Housing stock. Both have lots of single-story homes. Phoenix covers a huge area with everything from mid-century ranch homes near the center to newer construction at the edges.
- Climate. Very hot summers and mild winters in both. Shade, pools, roof condition and cooling costs deserve real attention during inspections.
- Water and HOAs. Many communities have HOAs with their own fees and rules. For newer neighborhoods on the edges of the metro, it's reasonable to ask how the home gets its water service.
- Getting back to LA. Phoenix Sky Harbor serves both cities, with many daily flights to LAX and Burbank, among other LA-area airports.
What your LA equity could look like there
Say an LA owner nets $700,000 after selling and paying off their mortgage. At May 2026 medians, that's more than the full price of a median Phoenix home ($468K), with room left over. In Scottsdale, it would cover a large down payment on a median single-family home ($1.35M), or the full price of a median condo ($345K). This leaves out closing costs, taxes and financing, and it isn't a recommendation either way.
For a closer look at Scottsdale on its own, see our Scottsdale guide. Or use the calculator below to see what your LA home could fund in Phoenix, Scottsdale and other markets. If it would help to talk through timing or what your home might sell for, Tyler is happy to share what he's seeing, and can introduce you to a vetted agent in Arizona for the buying side.
General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Market figures are estimates from public data and may be out of date.
